Sewing for Good: 9 Sewing Charities that Need Your Help

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Whether you have a few extra minutes to spare or a lot of extra fabric to share, a little generosity goes a long way when it comes to sewing for charity. Read on to learn about nine sewing charities that need your help. They are all working hard to help you put your sewing talents to great use.

Be sure to share any additional organizations that you’re familiar with in the comments!

1. Days for Girls

Days for Girls is fighting to reverse the cycle of poverty by providing sustainable feminine hygiene supplies, vital health knowledge and economic opportunities to girls and women in need. Because of cultural ideas or taboos around menstruation, many girls worldwide don’t have access to sanitary products. This can cause them to miss several days of school per month, face danger and isolation, and in some cases to drop out of school entirely. Read more about this amazing organization here and listen to an interview with CEO and president Celeste Mergens.

You can find a wealth of helpful instructions and guidance (including how-to videos) for sewing these items at daysforgirls.org. There’s also information on how to locate or start your own local Days for Girls volunteer team at daysforgirls.org.

2. Hands Up Canada

Hands Up Canada offers help to Canadians living in poverty in uncertain times. They put together baby diaper bags and toddler emergency backpacks for little ones who find themselves at a shelter sometimes with only the clothes on their backs.

Their goal is to include at least one handmade item in each bag or backpack, and they add a “Handmade with Love” tag to each item they receive. What a wonderful way to share your love for the craft and for your fellow human beings. It’s one of our favorite sewing charities.

3. Ryan’s Case for Smiles

A hospital stay can be a frightening and overwhelming experience for a child facing a life-changing illness or injury. Ryan’s Case for Smiles makes this difficult time a little less scary for children and their families by creating cheerful pillowcases to brighten their rooms. They promote the mission of “helping kids feel better to heal better.” 

Find directions for making the pillowcases, locate the Ryan’s Case for Smiles chapter in your area and learn how to host your own pillowcase-making event at caseforsmiles.org.

4. The Snuggles Project

The Snuggles Project gathers blankets and pads for shelter animals. It’s a win-win-win situation: The animals receive comfort when entering the shelter, the shelter workers have an easier time helping calm animals, and the sewist feels great for helping animals in need. What a fantastic program!

You can find patterns to sew on the Snuggles Project site, plus knitting, crochet, and even no-sew ideas. We love this wonderful idea to make shelters more comfortable for pets waiting for their furever homes.

5. Capes for Kids

Kids love playing dress up because a costume can spark their imagination and help them see themselves in a new way. This idea prompted Terry Stahl to start Capes for Kids, another important Enchanted Makeover sewing charity program. Its goal specifically is to help kids staying in shelters feel special and find the superhero within. Visit enchantedmakeovers.org for more information and instructions. Note that Capes for Kids requests hook-and-loop tape rather than buttons for a kid-friendly cape closure.

6. Doll Adoption Program

Help create a new best friend for children in shelters. The Doll Adoption Project is one of the programs under Enchanted Makeovers, and sewists can create one-of-a-kind dolls to comfort children who find themselves in temporary housing or shelters. Join sewists from around the world and share a piece of your heart with a child in need.

7. Pretty Pockets

The Pretty Pocket project is a simple and ingenious gift to sew for breast cancer patients. It was devised out of the necessity to help ease pain and discomfort post-surgery. When Maryanne Arthur awoke from her breast cancer surgery in 2011, she found that she was flanked by two heavy drains on each side of her upper body. The bulbs of the drains were uncomfortable against her raw skin; her partner Annmarie Merow quickly came up with a quick and effective solution. You can do your part to help by making Pretty Pockets to distribute to hospitals in your area. Find out more information about the project and download the quick and easy Pretty Pockets pattern at Maryanne’s website.

8. Dress a Girl Around the World

Dress a Girl Around the World is a campaign under Hope 4 Women International, a non-profit organization working to bring dignity to women and girls at risk all over the world. The mission of the project is to provide every girl with at least one new dress. Dress a Girl Around the World partners with ambassadors all over the world who help distribute the dresses.

You can get involved by sewing dresses or by making a donation. Head over to their site for lots of helpful information, including instructions and tutorials for sewing dresses.

9. Operation First Response

Operation First Response is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping wounded veterans and their families. Among the many programs they organize in service to veterans is the OFR Backpack project. The OFR Backpacks are filled with vital supplies and comforting items. They send the backpacks to combat support hospitals. Wounded soldiers receive them as they arrive without any personal belongings or suitable clothing. 

Learn more about Operation First Response and find out how you can help.

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Remember that sewing for others can be a great way to re-energize your love for your craft as well as help you feel you’re making a difference. These are just a few of the amazing sewing-related charities and organizations out there, doing good work in the community. If you know of any sewing charities or organizations that need sewn items leave a comment in the section below.

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Originally published 3/30/2017. Updated 11/10/22.

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