The Brother team takes up the challenge of making
quilts for The Grace Factory
In a time-based quilting challenge held recently, the Brother South Africa team of staff members, distributors and independent Brother dealers got together to complete 100 quilts in three and a half hours. And they did it!
25 February 2023, Tshwane – The task was big, but so was the reward! A team of 60 dealers, distributors and Brother staff members got together on Saturday, 25 February and in the space of three and a half hours completed 100 baby quilts that were then donated to Michelle Webb representing The Grace Factory, a non-profit organisation based in Johannesburg and serving communities throughout South Africa.
The kits were made up of a top layer quilt, supplied by Christie van Niekerk of Stitches for Africa, and the inner and backing supplied by Brother South Africa. The task was to complete each quilt, measuring 1.5m x 1m, using Brother Sewing and Embroidery machines and the new F-Series and M-Series models launched at the same event.
Christie and Sheila of Stitches for Africa, also a non-profit organisation, collect fabric and offcuts from local quilting guilds as well as needlework items, sewing and knitting materials. They repurpose the materials into quilts to distribute where needed. Fabric offcuts they have collected were made up into the quilt tops used in the Brother challenge.
And a challenge it was. With workstations set up all around the venue there was cutting and pinning and ironing and stitching. With an eye on the clock, everyone knew what had to be done to reach the goal of 100 quilts and be able to present these to a very worthy cause.
“The Grace Factory fully relies on the power of its supporters, volunteers and sponsors. We truly appreciate every donation we receive, whether big or small,” says Michelle Webb.
The Grace Factory is an independent registered Non-Profit Organisation that aims to help moms and babies throughout South Africa. The charity provide maternity packs and essential items to mothers who are not able to afford the basics when their babies are born. These packs are distributed to public hospitals, clinics, social workers and other community partners who have made a commitment to empower women on a long term basis.
“While the activity was an exciting and worthwhile experience for all involved, the problems remain and organisations such as The Grace Factory and Stitches for Africa face an uphill battle every day for support and materials to continue their work. We’d like to urge anyone with time, money or skills to make contact with them and make a small contribution that will go a long way” said Dale de Villiers, marketing manager at Brother South Africa.
To get in contact with The Grace Factory, please visit their website www.thegracefactory.co.za or email info@brother.co.za for assistance.