Our Mission
The Sewing Labs is an inclusive and welcoming community teaching the legacy of sewing for employment, entrepreneurship, and enrichment.
Message from the Executive Director
Dear Friends and Supporters,
At The Sewing Labs, we are continuously inspired by the incredible impact that philanthropy can have on the lives of individuals and the strength it brings to our community. It is through the generosity and dedication of individuals like you that we have been able to make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve.
As we celebrate the extraordinary power of philanthropy, I’d like to invite you to join us for a truly special occasion: our Annual Make’n HERstory Gala.
At The Sewing Labs, we are driven by a shared belief in the transformative power of compassion and generosity. It is through the support and commitment of individuals like you that we have been able to create lasting change and uplift the lives of those in need.
Our Annual Fundraiser is a pivotal moment in our calendar—a time when we come together to celebrate our accomplishments, renew our commitment to our mission, and rally the resources necessary to propel us forward.
The Annual Fundraiser serves as a catalyst for positive change, enabling us to expand our programs, reach more individuals in need, and provide essential resources to those facing challenges. By attending this event, you not only contribute to our fundraising goals but also join a community united in the shared purpose of making a tangible impact on our community.
Through your generous donations, we can:
- Strengthen our existing programs: Your support enables us to enhance the quality and reach of our programs, ensuring that we can make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can empower individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.
- Launch new initiatives: The Annual Fundraiser provides us with a unique opportunity to unveil new projects that address emerging needs and gaps in our community. Your contributions will help us innovate, adapt, and create solutions that make a lasting impact.
Remember, philanthropy is not solely about financial contributions—it is about investing in a vision, supporting a cause, and making a difference. Your participation in our Annual Fundraiser is an act of belief in our collective ability to affect change and transform lives.
Join us on August 18, 2023, at 28 Event Space for an evening filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and the joy of giving. Every dollar raised will help ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our community and forge a brighter future together.
Please mark your calendar, spread the word, and consider inviting your friends, family, and colleagues to join us. Together, we can make this year's Annual Fundraiser a resounding success and enable us to continue our vital work.
With gratitude,
Robyn Kerkaert, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCEP, CHPC
Service From the Community
As part of its ongoing community outreach, the Sewing Labs hosted a community service day for the youth from St Thomas Episcopal Church. On July 12, nineteen fifth-graders came to help package the kits for the fall pillowcase project. In this yearly effort, The Sewing Labs volunteers prepare and stitch pairs of pillowcases to donate to individuals in retirement homes. We thank them for their willingness to help.
When the children finished their work, TSL took the opportunity to do what it does best—teach. The students took to the domestic machines and learned to sew a tissue cover. For many, it was the first time they’d ever sewn on a sewing machine.
Surge to Serve
Stitchers needed now! Pick up a packet to sew up the Gala gift! We still have many to go. Each pack has ten sets and directions, and they sew up fast. Pick them up at The Sewing Labs, then stitch and return.
Make'n HERstory: A Reason to Celebrate!
Aside from being our primary fundraiser for our students, the gala is also one of our most exciting events all year. Here’s what our TSL community has to share about their favorite aspects of the gala:
Eileen, Development and Outreach Manager: I think it is important to support the Make’n HERstory Gala because this is The Sewing Labs’ opportunity to get in front of our community, raise awareness of the importance of our mission and introduce supporters to the impact our programs have on the students. And the lives that are being changed for the better, one stitch at a time.
My favorite part of the gala is when attendees approach me and let me know that they had a fantastic time, the food, the drinks, the timing, and most of all, the inspiration. People are amazed that training the skill of sewing can be so transformative.
Margy, Volunteer: The gala is so much fun to interact with people from the sewing world. I meet people from areas of sewing that I didn't even know existed in Kansas City. It is fun to learn what they are creating and advance my own knowledge.
Amy, Board Member: “With Kansas City’s storied past in the world of sewing and fashion, The Sewing Labs Gala celebrates the future of Kansas City as a Creative Crossroads for those who wish to find education and inspiration in the needle arts. Whether the pursuit is for pleasure or profit, through the generosity of its donors, The Sewing Labs can offer our community this highly specialized on-the-job training, one stitch at a time.”
Stitch Camp
For several years, The Sewing Labs has offered a summer opportunity for younger people to learn to sew. Stitch Camp is a weeklong summer program for youngsters aged 8 to 11. It takes place the first full week of August, just before the kids go back to school. Each year there is a different theme; last year it was Fun and Games, and this summer it's Critters with projects related to the theme. The first projects are simple ones with each subsequent one building on skills used in the previous one.
Besides organized instruction, the students have hands-on time on sewing machines from the first day to the last. They will learn a variety of construction methods, the parts of the machine, and some hand sewing techniques.
Sewing strengthens hand-eye coordination and hand sewing improves hand and finger strength. And since much of sewing involves planning the details in the early part of assembly, the children learn to begin with the end in mind.
And they have fun! Each day, they leave with a project they did by themselves. Every project teaches skills and builds confidence. They revel in the colors, the textures, their creativity unleashed.
Plan Ahead
The fall Fabric Grab has been moved back to the end of September. This is the biannual parking lot spread of yardage, notions, books and patterns. Volunteers are needed at the Grab on Saturday, September 23, and also prior to the Grab to pull fabrics and prepare notions. Sign up to help and then show up to shop.
