Hannah's Arms 'Graduate' earns sewing machine; you can too!

Scanning the Internet for clever sayings about sewing to spice up the intro of this story; the computer search engine was more apt to change the spelling and cough up references to sow...as in reap what you sow, sowing the seeds of discontent, etc. But, if you think about it, that’s how the ladies at St. Bridget’s Church, who run the Saturday sewing classes are making a difference. For knowledge or skill of any kind to be of benefit it needs to be dispersed. It needs to be sown. Sheila Eickman and Mary Strobl developed the Hannah’s Arms sewing lessons and for countless Saturdays they’ve been teaching mostly gals and some men, how to use a sewing machine.

At Hannah’s Arms they explain a pattern, how to select material and cut it, and how to sew simple projects by hand. St. Bridget’s Catholic Church hosts Hannah’s Arms in the lower level of the church the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There is no fee. When “students” have accumulated 35 hours of instruction total, or the equivalent of about 10-months, they are eligible to take home their own sewing machine. Recently Mashell Kivijarvi earned her own machine. She arrived at St. Bridget’s with little sewing experience and not only does she now have her own machine, it’s a lovely and functional piece of furniture as well, said Jayne Taylor, coordinator of Hannah’s Arms sister program The Baby Blanket. Students attending Saturday sessions can also earn infant/child car seats and new cribs that are provided through The Baby Blanket. The “shop” that makes available donated goods for babies and young children is open Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Bridget’s Church. Taylor said the donated sewing machine is in a beautiful cabinet. “Although we have new sewing machines to give out, Mashell received a donated machine...it was checked out professionally and deemed a high quality durable machine with years and years of life,” she added.

An average of three to four students are in sewing class weekly. The class includes volunteer sitters who keep the kids busy. Lunch is provided and there’s usually a speaker. If you don’t want to learn sewing there is a craft project usually available too. To get involved, either as a volunteer, a presenter or if you want to be a student in the Saturday sessions call 651-257-2474 ext. 34. The next session is December 21