Woman starts sewing group and puts heart in each thread
By Britt Leoni
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NAPLES, Florida (WBBH) — On Friday mornings at Vi at Bentley Village, a group of ladies gathers, needles in hand.
“I’m not a great sewer, but I do enjoy doing things with my hands,” said Pat Smart. “I said, oh, let me see what this is all about.”
Women like Smart don’t sew often, but when they do, they’re sewing stuffed bears.
“It’s so satisfying when you can make them because, as you can see, they’re so cute,” said Smart.
The bears didn’t happen on the first stitch, but in time, thanks to the head of this group, who has been sewing her own bears for the past eight years.
“I thought, oh, let me make some bears for these kids,” said Kathy Swift.
Swift has donated the 2000 bears she’s sewn to kids at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
While she’s a pro on her own, six weeks ago, she started her sewing group after realizing she didn’t have to do it alone.
“There’s probably enough material to make a good 500 more bears … so keep going, ladies!” said Swift.
Now that Swift’s husband has died, not only is this a way to do good, it’s a way to make friends.
“At this age, we’re not busy anymore. We’re all home more than we ever were before, so at least we’re doing something positive,” Swift said.
“I’ve been here for 8 years and probably met…all of these ladies were people I didn’t know, so it brings people together,” Smart said.
While not everyone in this group is a natural seamstress, they don’t have to be. What really matters is the heart behind each thread.
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