Mates 4 Mates Laundry bag making workshop

Hi there, 

Heather B and Sue-Ellen S led an inaugural sewing workshop on how to make an AHQ laundry bag. Here is what they had to say about the event.

Over a period of six weeks, AHQ volunteers Sue Ellen S and Heather B have led sewing sessions at Mates4Mates, Stafford. M4Ms approached us to run these, and purchased the necessary sewing machines, bits’n’pieces, and fabric to make Laundry Bags as one of the many activities of the centre. 

Two of the participants had never sewn before so right from the basics of learning this skill, the group succeeded in making LB’s for Aussie Heroes. 

Some of the participants, (all Veterans or partners of Veterans), in addition to M4M’s employee & initiator of the project, Matt H, had received bags or quilts from AHQ during deployment, so this was a means of “giving back”. Fast forward, or should I say “fast sewing”, and the result was that 31 Laundry Bags have been made in these sessions and at home, for the troops in Malaysia - for their Mates! 

Sue Ellen, Matt and I were very impressed by the enthusiasm of the Mates participating We also witnessed the impact of being connected, learning a new skill for some, the pride in their accomplishments in addition to improvements in mental state for some. In fact, they are waiting for the next block of sewing sessions to happen in a couple of months. More fabric has been purchased so they are ready to go! 

Thank you Mates4Mates for this initiative. It was a winner for all concerned. Cheers Heather B

Heather B and Sue-Ellen S leading the team of veterans in making thier first laundry bag

Hard at work sewing laundry bags

Massive effort of compelted laundry bags