Building Relationships - One Stitch at a Time
Will you consider joining us and funding the next 12-week session?
Your donation will empower women and teen girls with the skill of sewing, mentoring and the love of Jesus.
Fruitful Sewing started in 2014 at our Lewiston site. Although sewing and stitching had been part of our ministry in different ways, Kathleen Funderburk had a unique longing in her heart that brought her through our doors. "It all started with just looking for a way to volunteer and use my gifts and education in fashion design to serve others. My talents and abilities were really just a catalyst to loving people as Jesus does."
Over the years, many women and teen girls were trained and empowered in Lewiston through Kathleen's dedication. They created prom dresses, pajama bottoms, grilling aprons, skirts, hand bags and many more projects. In 2016, the Fruitful Sewing teen girls held an unforgettable fashion show at our Celebrate and Donate event, showcasing their own creations.
As the adult students progressed in their skills, they joined Kathleen in teaching, greatly helping with the many languages represented in this diverse and beautiful group of women. In turn, they earned sewing machines, creating new opportunities for their families.
Several of these women moved on to jobs using these new found or improved skills. They made US Olympic Team shoes with Rancourt & Co. and backpacks with Rogue Wear in Lewiston. In 2020, several of these women were subcontracted to make face masks for Bates and Colby Colleges.
“It’s the relationships…”
It was never just about the skill building and sewing machines. "We are able to celebrate the successes and the laughter in the failures together. It's not just about learning how to sew, it's the relationship," says Kathleen.
There are so many stories shared while working with fabric and taking time to create. All of the women have tragic stories to share of how they fled persecution in their home countries of Somalia, Congo or Angola. Their journeys to Maine were full of challenges, and many experienced trauma that can only be shared in a safe place and among friends - and that's exactly what Fruitful Sewing has become for many over the years. "I'm seeing really broken and hurt people come into a bright and inviting space, where they are free to create, where they can be safe, find joy, even for just an hour," Kathleen notes, as she reflects on the past few years.
All of this was done through the volunteer efforts of Kathleen and her small team. Earlier this year God has given Kathleen a vision for the next phase of Fruitful Sewing. Through the generous donation from a faithful donor, we were able to officially hire Kathleen part time and expand Fruitful Sewing to Portland. "I've been doing this on a volunteer basis, but I haven't' been able to go to all those "dreamy" places. Now that it's become my focus, we have been able to make an immediate impact in Portland as well."
The goals are big - but worth it. "We want to empower women to learn and lead - to have a room full with diverse women, ‘…from every tribe and language and people and nation,” says Kathleen. "Learning, supporting and laughing and creating together - it's a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven as described in Revelation 5."
Already, Kathleen has seen a huge need in the teen girls that have become part of Fruitful Sewing. "This space is disarming and fun, but it's also vulnerable to try on clothes that you've made and then help others." These spaces create deep conversations where they talk about life's challenges, faith, God and much more. "With teens, a lot of conversations happen organically. We have talked about all kinds of deeply personal issues and challenges." It gives me an opportunity to pray with them and share the loving Jesus. Many times they sit in a place of feeling judged by God. I'm constantly trying to show them the grace filled God. That door opens up, because we are sitting in a physically vulnerable and safe space."
2 Donors, but God's Provision
Kathleen stepped out in faith to start a Portland chapter of Fruitful Sewing. By only God's providence, 2 timely donations were made to jumpstarted this new endeavor. A single donor committed to launch the first 12-week session, which was proceeded by a "gigantic" gift of fabric from the collection of Judith "Jude" Weed. Jude passed away during surgery in October. She was known as an extremely talented seamstress, and her family wanted to make sure that her large collection of fabric and supplies went to good use. Her sister, Nancy shared a bit about Jude's life with us.
"Jude was a talented, creative woman and an exceptional seamstress making everything from simple doll clothes and “Piglet” (from Whinnie the Pooh) as a young girl, to exquisite bridal gowns, children’s clothes, fleece jackets, canvas bags, American Girl clothes, and many other sewn objects throughout her adult life. Her flair for design and always including that ‘something extra’ in her work set her apart and made her apparel true professional works of art which were enjoyed by many.
Jude was a very generous woman who donated to many causes throughout her life. With this thought in mind, the family of Jude Weed has generously donated many yards of material, zippers, dress forms, patterns, thread and more to The Root Cellar in Portland so that the next generation may learn the joys of sewing and creating that special piece of clothing. It is the hope of her family that her legacy will continue through the teaching of this valuable skill as taught through Fruitful Sewing."
We couldn’t be more thankful for these 2 generous donations. They have truly made this next chapter of Fruitful Sewing Possible!
