The North Florida Sewing Center tries to be responsive to community as well as international needs. 

The first example of this was in 2020 when the global COVID pandemic had many of us producing face masks.  Our sewing center was deemed an essential business where volunteers could stop in to pick up prepared bags with enough pre-cut supplies to make ten masks.   In 12 months, 7,201 masks were produced that were used by local residents as well as hospital staff.   

In 2022, there was a need for quilts to help Ukrainian refugees.  The sewing center collected 74 quilts to help support those whose lives were disrupted by war.

At the end of 2022, we realized that we were producing large quantities of strips of flannel while rotary cutting inserts for the menstrual products, so decided to start making quilts.   Some of our North Florida Sewing Center volunteers were also members of quilting guilds and we recognized an unmet need.   Many guild members made small quilts to donate to charities – for children or adults in wheelchairs.  The small quilts were beautiful and comforting but were not suitable for adults in need of a blanket to sleep under.  So we started making adult-size quilts (minimum of 50x70 inches).  We started with the strips of flannel and made string-pieced blocks.  Before we knew it, we were making all sorts of quilts and many volunteers donated completed quilts and parts to make quilts (blocks and tops).  In our first year of quilt distribution (2023) 154 quilts were given to adults transitioning out of homelessness or in shelters as well as some smaller quilts given to children in the hospital (Shands – pediatric oncology and pediatric cardiology).  This is no longer a “special project” but a ministry of the North Florida Sewing Center.

Also in 2023, we had some special projects requested.   One was making placemats and table runners for the Methodist Boys Home.    They were made from holiday fabrics to bring more cheer to these youth in foster care.   56 placemats and 7 table runners were made and donated.

We also had a request from UF Shands Streetlight program to make 50 heating pads for children living with Sickle Cell Anemia.   These were made from cotton fabrics and filled with rice which is microwaved.  The warm pads are soothing to those with painful joints.

At the end of 2023, the North Florida Sewing Center received requests for fidget mats from Haven Hospice and VITAS Hospice. We responded by holding a fidget mat sewing workday on February 3, 2024.  Chances on this will be an ongoing need and will not be a special project for long, but its own ministry through the sewing center. 

A 2024 project is making unique quilts for the new CDS Family & Behavioral Health Services Interface Youth Shelter that is under construction in NE Gainesville.  Each of the 20 beds will have a one-of-a-kind cheerful quilt.  When adolescents age 10-17 arrive at the shelter, they can choose the quilt to use that suits their personalities.  Youth staying at Interface are there because they are going through a tough time in their lives so sleeping under a hand-made quilt of their choosing is designed to give them some comfort.  Let us know if you would like to help make these quilts.

Also in 2024, we are looking into supporting the children and families adversely affected by the war between Israel and Hamas.   If anyone has connections with appropriate charities working there, please let us know by contacting us at nfsewingcenter@gmail.com.

Going forward, we now have an application available for nonprofits or government agencies to request special projects for sewing center volunteers to work on.  Each application is considered by the board of directors so we can determine if it is possible.  Applicants are asked to apply at least two months before their anticipated need.  To apply please contact nfsewingcenter@gmail.com.