When Bobbie Reed, Grace Morgan, Angel Ames and Confetti Winslow started a sewing group last spring, they didn’t realize their efforts would comfort so many members of the community.

But their Friday morning sewing group “Just Sew” at the Community Center focused on how they could help others, and the results of their projects began to accumulate.

“We checked what was needed and what we could do quickly,” explained Morgan. That turned out to be an impressive list of items that benefit two- and four-legged area residents.

With decades of combined sewing experience, the group has produced and donated pot holders, quilts, jar openers and ornaments which are sold to benefit the Center. This summer, the group decided to sew and donate small padded mats for kittens and puppies at the local animal shelter. 

The project came together with fabric from Angel Ames’ late grandmother Barbara Tibbetts and batting from Bobbie Reed.

A recent large donation of fleece, winter’s arrival and the sad knowledge that some fellow residents may have fallen on difficult times have inspired the group to produce and donate a number of items that the Boothbay Harbor Police Department will help distribute.

With the assistance of Chief Bob Hasch, the five hats, 15 neck warmers, 15 scarves, 18 pairs of mittens and eight fleece blankets will wind up where they are needed most.

Ideas for the projects come from a number of sources including social media sites like Facebook and Pinterest. Occasionally, someone will stop by with an item to suggest and “We take a photo and measure it,” explained Reed.  The group will also assist service organizations that might want a larger item to raffle as a fundraiser.

Just Sew is also planning a special program for summer 2017 that will teach area junior high students how to sew. They are seeking donations of working sewing machines as well as scissors, thread and cotton fabric. Teenagers will be taught how to sew on a button, follow a basic pattern and how to quilt. As the students complete a project, they will “graduate” with a machine to use at home and a starter bag with scissors and thread.

The Just Sew group meets at the center on Friday morning between 9 and noon. The center can be reached at 633-9876.