N
N
Invaluableadviceandreassurance
fromsewistswhocarryonin the
face of adversity.“Fabriccanbereplacedif things go
wrong,justgiveit a go.”
Michelle Mason“Ifyouloseyoursewjo,sometimes
a littleabsencedoesindeedmakethe
heartgrowfonderandyouwillcome
backtoit refreshed and inspired.”
Marie Lawlor“Myadviceis tonotpushyourself
tocompleteprojects at someone
else'space.”
Andie Wells“Don’tcompareyourprogresstoothers.
Youdon’thavetodothingsthe‘proper’
wayif it doesn’tfeelright,sewingis all
aboutdoingwhat works for you.”
Anna ColwillA GOOD READ
WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING 45manydisabledpeoplesocial media is how
weconnectwithothers.”MENTALHEALTHMATTERS
Thecreativeartofsewingis a rewarding
pastimefora myriadofdifferentreasons.
There’sthefeelingofaccomplishment,the
joyofhavinga creativeoutlet and the
welcomedsanctuary
ofhavingsome
downtimeto
de-stress.Butfor
somepeopleit is so
muchmorethanthat.
It is theskillthat
brightenstheir
darkestdaysand
allowsthemtofeel
totallyfree.Physicalailmentsandillnesses
oftenbringwiththema rangeofmental
healthstressestoo,andtheoutletofsewing
hasevenbeenreferredtoasa formof
therapy.“Sewinghasgivenmea purposefor
life” asserts Michelle Mason. “It makes me"I startedsewing as
a therapeutic outlet
from life with
a Chronic condition"
Photo: Benjo Arwas
feelusefulandproductiveandmakingthings
helpswithmyanxietyanddepression.”Marie
Lawlor also uses sewingasa positiveforcein
herlife:“I started
outsewingasa
therapeuticoutlet
fromlifewitha
chroniccondition.”
Despitethe
strugglesthatdisabled
sewistsface,their
determinationto
pursuethiscreative
pathis astounding,andthecommunities
availabletoallarea tremendoussourceof
support.Thepowerofneedleandthread
makesusallabletoachievesomething
wonderful,andtheseinspirational people
are testament to that.Above:StephanieThomas,a Disability
FashionStylistfightingforequalityinthe
fashionworld.Topright :AnnaColwillandEve
Walker(bottomright) are co-founders of
DisabledMakers.