They reap what they sew

by Janet Saugstad

This has been a tough year weatherwise for everyone, even all of us diehard Minnesotan’s. Four years of near-tropical winters have lulled us all into a sense of complacency.
Now imagine that you are a new immigrant from Somalia or Latin America, and you’ve never before had to cope with wind chills like these. Your budget is very limited -- getting from one month to the next is a trial. How do you manage?
Joy Rindels has a partial answer. Every third Friday of the month, her classroom fills with a mixture of women eager to learn how to sew their own clothes. Most of these women are students in her English as a Second Language class, eager to learn their way in America.
Now here’s where you come in. There are more than enough sewing machines to go around. Rindel received a generous donation from Exchange Charities. There’s also a generous selection of patterns to go around.
What is sorely needed is fabric. She’ll accept anything except upholstery material, as that is too bulky for clothing. Warm fabrics like wool, or corduroy, polyester blends, are especially desired. Anything you might have around the house from previous craft or sewing projects.

To contact Joy Rindel, call (612)821-2301