Stitched in Prayer
When a friend shares a calling they’ve been given to serve, your first instinct is to ask, "How can I help?" This January, my dear friend Lisa launched a beautiful new ministry in Elwood, and I have loved seeing it come to life.
On the first Saturday of every month, the St. Joseph Activity Center transforms into a hub of creativity, laughter, and purpose. We aren't just sewing fabric together; we are crafting tangible reminders of love for mothers and babies in our community.
The Mission: A "Giant Hug" for New Life
The baby quilts created during these sessions are donated to Birthright of Cicero. Birthright provides essential love and support to mothers and babies in need, offering them a hand to hold during a pivotal time in their lives.
I’ve always believed that a quilt is more than just layers of fabric—it’s a "giant hug" that you can wrap around someone. For a new mother, receiving a handmade quilt is a message that she is not alone and that her baby is celebrated by a community they haven't even met yet. Each of these quilts is prayed over; we pray for the mothers and for the babies who will be wrapped up in them.
As it says in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
No Sewing Experience? No Problem!
What I love about these sewing days is that there is a place for everyone. You don’t have to be a master quilter to make a massive difference.
If you can sew: Bring your machine and help us piece these blankets together. Finished quilts are approximately 34” x 46”—the "sweet spot" size for tucking into a car seat or stroller, but big enough for plenty of tummy-time play.
If you don’t sew: We need you! We will gladly teach you how to cut, pin, and press. Every step of the process is vital to getting these quilts into the hands of a family.
Ways to Support the Ministry
If you are unable to be there in person, you can support the ministry with monetary or physical donations. Lisa is happy to use her skills to purchase baby-print fabrics, or you can "shop your stash" for 100% cotton, flannels, thread, and batting.
A note on materials: We stick to 100% cotton and soft flannels because they are breathable and gentle on a newborn's sensitive skin. Lisa requests that all fabric be pre-washed to ensure the fabrics don't bleed and to make things simpler for the new moms.
Donation Checklist:
100% Cotton or Flannel (Pre-washed)
New Quilt Batting
Neutral Sewing Thread
Monetary donations for supplies
A Day of Fellowship and Faith
We don't just dive into the fabric; we begin each session with prayer. We invite Jesus into our work and lift up the specific mothers and babies who will eventually receive these blankets. It turns the hum of the sewing machines into a form of worship.
Even though there have only been two Saturdays so far, I have really enjoyed myself. I’ve met new people and experimented with new-to-me patterns, tools, and techniques. While I’m not sure of the total count of quilts made so far, I’ve personally finished two for the count!
Join Us for the Next Monthly Session:
When: The 1st Saturday of each month
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: St. Joseph Activity Center, 1306 S A St, Elwood
What to bring: Your lunch, your sewing machine (if you have one), and a joyful heart!
Whether you can stay for an hour or the whole day, your hands and your heart are welcome here. Let’s use our gifts to stitch together a legacy of love for the "least of these."
If you need more information, contact me and I will happily pass along Lisa’s phone number via email, text, or DM.
