May Your Hands Always be Busy

“May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift...”

These lines from “Forever Young,” a song penned by Bob Dylan in 1973 for his children, reflect his hopes for their future. At Sew4Service, we wholeheartedly believe that busy hands engaged in creative endeavors stimulate active minds and strengthen the fabric of our communities for the future.

To help keep your hands busy in 2025, we will be hosting Taster Sessions and an Open House on Saturday, January 11, from 10 am -1 pm. Come to the Sew4Service Euclid Chapter at Shore Cultural Centre to try the different sewing and stitching techniques we offer in our classes. You can try your hand at embroidery, crocheting, creating with fabric scraps, and more. Tour our Fabric Stash Store and Sewing Studio and learn more about our mission and ways you can volunteer your time and talents to help others in the community.

Our lead teacher at Sew4Service in Alliance, Kelleen Davis, has explored the link between crafting and community. She was invited to collaborate with Professor Sarah Russell, Chair of the Department of Performing Arts at the University of Mount Union, along with her senior capstone students on a community service initiative. In their course titled “Crafting Our Way to an Inspired Life,” students from diverse disciplines investigate how crafting boosts individual well-being and strengthens community bonds. They contributed by creating pillowcases for Ryan's Case for Smiles and cutting out pieces for baby dolls for a social justice sewing project. As part of their coursework, they are utilizing the book, Craftfulness: Mend Yourself by Making Things by Rosemary Davidson and Arzo Tahsin, which examines both anecdotal and scientific evidence regarding the positive effects of creative work on mental and emotional health.

“Today, the growing body of research from clinical trials leaves little room for doubt that creative activity in which people participate because they want to, in an unpressured environment, delivers therapeutic benefits that are positive, significant, and can be life-changing.” (Craftfulness, page 48)

At Sew4Service, we are here to help you find ways to keep your hands busy. Explore our website to find a list of all our classes, download free sewing patterns, and sign up for our newsletters. Together we can craft strong bonds within our communities.