Help The Sewing Labs sustain those in need through reusing and repurposing textiles. Please help us with one of our Community Projects. Every little bit helps! The Sewing Labs is an inclusive and welcoming community teaching the legacy of sewing for employment, entrepreneurship, and enrichment. Sewing is the fundamental foundation on which The Sewing Labs was built. The Sewing Labs stitches together everyone in our community of different life-cloth and partners with other nonprofit agencies, organizations and businesses in Kansas City, to build everyone up. NEVER underestimate the power of a sewing machine!
KC Navigation Bag
The Sewing Labs has partnered with Volunteer KC to sew the KC Navigation Bags. In an effort to bridge the resource knowledge gap in Kansas City, Missouri, VKC volunteers designed a professional map full of emergency resources plots for homeless and near-homeless individuals. On the front of the bag is a custom map of Kansas City, MO. The back of the bag has a corresponding resource list for services from free meals, toiletries, and shelters, to medical and pantries.
- Click here to download instructions for the KC Navigation Bag
- Click here for a video tutorial on the KC Navigation Bag
The Sewing Labs is looking for volunteers to sew the canvas bags from home. When available we will announce for Kits to be picked up! This project is active throughout the year when there is a need and supplies. Please contact for available kits to sew 816-888-3051 New Kits available new! LEARN MORE
Kansas City Community Quilt Block Project
Welcome to our exciting community quilt block project! We are thrilled to invite you to be a part of this creative endeavor that will not only showcase your individual talents but also bring us all together as a community.
We need you to create 12.5″ x 12.5″ quilt blocks using the provided scrap quilting fabric. Your quilt blocks will be transformed into a multitude of lap quilts, which will be distributed among our low-income nursing home community. Your contribution will bring warmth, comfort, and a sense of community to those who need it the most. By using these fabric scraps, we contribute to a greener environment, ensuring they don’t end up in a landfill. Here at The Sewing Labs, we always do what we can to promote recycling and sustainability. As our Cofounder, Lonnie Vanderslice, once said, “There are no throwaways”. LEARN MORE
Pillow Case Project
This project typically spans from late September to beginning of December. The Sewing Labs rallies its amazing group of volunteers to cut fabric, assemble sew kits, and then sew pillow cases at home for low-income senior citizen homes. Each year we delivered 500+ pillow cases to local senior centers. Each resident receives 2 pillow cases; 1 made from holiday fabric and 1 made from everyday fabrics. These are wrapped up with a ribbon and a card signed by the sewists. In distributing these hand-made pillow cases, we have found that the seniors not only appreciate receiving an essential item, they are also grateful to be remembered and acknowledged during the holidays.
You can help with a donation of :
- Cotton Fabric – holiday fabric & everyday fabric (each pillow case requires 3/4 yd. of fabric for the body + 1/3yd. of fabric for the band)
- Holiday Cards – unused but envelopes are not needed
- Spool of curling ribbons to tie up the pack
You can help by volunteering:
We need help cutting fabric, assembling kits and sewing pillow cases. Click here to complete our volunteer application. Click Here to Download Instructions for Pillow Cases. LEARN MORE
