By Darrel L. Hammon
From an article published in the Provo Daily Herald, July 8, 2023. (https://www.heraldextra.com/news/community/2023/jul/08/making-a-difference-sew-n-sews-help-out-one-stitch-at-a-time/)
Doris Wattleworth was 87-years old when she asked Kathy Gover, a Pleasant Grove neighbor and former teacher, to help her learn to quilt. “I was amazed,” said Kathy, “that someone at that age wanted to learn how to quilt, and I decided to help.”
 |
| From left, the "Sew-n-Sews," Char Barker, Doris Wattleworth, Carol Morley, Karen Sommer, Kathy Gover pose in this undated photo. |
Together, they set up a piece of plywood on a bed in Doris’ house. Then, Doris purchased some basic quilting tools, material, and cutting mats. An old box springs stacked against one of the walls became the design wall. Doris’ sewing machine was an old one but was functional for what she wanted to do.
 |
| Carol Morley posing with one of her quilts in this undated photo |
A short time later, Doris sold her house, and they moved the sewing equipment to Kathy’s house. Pretty soon, they had three sewing machines going. Kathy’s husband built a tall cutting table, and things started to roll.
They were having so much fun, Kathy decided to reach out to others who wanted to learn or enhance their sewing and quilting skills. Soon, one by one, the current group of six women joined the sewing and quilting group. Carol Morley joined the group after her husband passed away. Char Barker wanted to find a way to help children.
Debbie Weatherhead attended a women’s meeting at Church where Kathy was attending and noticed that Debbie had a quilted bag. “Oh, you quilt,” said Kathy. The conversation launched into quilting and sewing. Kathy’s parting words to Debbie were: “ Come on over and check us out.” She did and joined.
One day in 2017, they decided to name the group and toyed with a variety of names. They all liked the phrase “Sew-n-Sews” and began calling themselves the “Sew-n-Sews” group because they were going to sew this or sew that.
The Sew-n-Sews meet every Tuesday at Kathy’s, excluding holidays. They sew, piece together quilts, enhance their quilting skills, and have fun doing it. Lunch is always part of the gathering!
 |
| From left, the "Sew-n-Sews," Doris Wattleworth, Kathy Gover, and Carol Morley pose in this undated photo. |
All Sew-n-Sews are retired and felt a sense of loss after they left the workforce. They wanted to keep making a difference. Now, they are happy because making quilts allows them to be more creative, learn together, and use their talents. “Plus,” said Char. “It keeps our brains stay alive and active.”
 |
| From left, the "Sew-n-Sews," Carol Morley, Kathy Gover, Debbie Weatherhead, and Char Barker, Char Barker, pose with their "Monster" quilt in this undated photo. |
“It’s really a learning experience,” explained Carol. “I had different sizes of material, and I couldn’t quite figure out how to use it. When I asked the others, they said, ‘why not do this or that’. That gave me confidence to continue with my project, and it turned out great.”
“For me,” said Kathy, “we have been learning a lot together. At the beginning, some of us weren’t totally skilled in piecing quilts, but each week, we learned how to iron the seams correctly, how to cut material in certain shapes, and create beautiful quilts. Also, Doris keeps us laughing and sings to us as we work!”
 |
| Kathy Gover poses with one of unfinished pillowcases. |
They were sewing and making quilts for personal use when the Green House Center for Growth & Learning (The Green House Center) organization that works with children with emotional and educational challenges and people in crisis reached out and asked for their help.
Since becoming the Sew-n-Sews, they have worked mainly with the Green House Center. Later, they branched out to other organizations, including the Festival of Trees, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Helping Hands, and others in making and donating 40” x 60” lap quilts and pillowcases.
 |
| Unfinished quilt tops |
“When we have finished about 40 quilts, we take them to the Green House Center,” the Sew-n-Sews explained. “Usually, when we stop by with a wagon or two full of lap quilts and pillowcases, everyone stops to admire the them.”
Initially, the Sew-n-Sews purchased the material on their own. After a while, though, people began donating material and batting to help them with their hundreds of quilts.
The lap quilts require about four to five yards of fabric to make and are donated to the Green House Center. Eight-ten yards are required for the twin quilts and are donated to the Sleep in Heavenly Peace and other organizations. Over the last six years, they have created, sewn, and donated hundreds of lap quilts and pillowcases.
 |
| Boxes and tubs of material and quilting supplies |
The Sew-n-Sews expressed immense joy in making and donating lap quilts to different organizations. When asked about their work, they shared so many feelings about friendship, learning different skills, going beyond themselves, serving others, and accomplishing goals of making something for someone else.
“One of our biggest disappointments, though,” said Doris, “is knowing that we cannot do more.” On the other hand, Kathy feels a different type of disappointment. “We are all reluctantly realizing our limitations and have begun to slow down, but we keep doing what we can to help others.”
 |
| From left, Kathy Gover, Doris Wattleworth, Carol Morley, Karen Sommer, and Char Barker pose in this undated photo. |
While sewing is losing its appeal, the Sew-n-Sews want the legacy of sewing and quilting to continue. Kathy’s plan is simple. “So, if I can teach people how to quilt and sew, then their children might learn.” Two of the Sew-n-Sews, Debbie and Karen, both from Provo, have begun teaching younger women how to sew.
Seldom if ever do the Sew-n-Sews meet the children and teenagers who receive the quilts, especially those donated to the Greenhouse Center. One woman who had several adopted grandchildren approached some of the Sew-n-Sews at a wedding reception and said that some of them had received quilts, cherished them, and wanted their picture taken with the women who made them.
 |
| More tubs and boxes of material and other quilting things |
“We realize that many of the children who receive our quilts have not ever received comfortable things in their lives,” offered Kathy. “We love helping children. It touches our hearts when we know they are going to children who need them. We believe these quilts give soft, loving comfort.”
But sometimes they do capture a glance. “One organization showed me a book with pictures of children who had received the quilts,” explained Char. “Three of them were mine. Tears flowed, and I rejoiced knowing that my quilts were helping people.”
 |
| Karen Sommer looking on as Carol Morley shows a quilt |
Doris mentioned that so many people think that quilts just grow magically. “They don’t realize how much thought and consideration go into making quilts,” she said. “When we make a quilt, we are sharing feelings and telling them stories.”
 |
| Lots of pins are needed for quilting |
“We put so much love in every stitch!” declared Carol. “I think you could say that each quilt is stitched in love!”
“For me,” said Char, “I can’t die yet because I have too much fabric to sew.”
 |
| Lots of material for quilts organized by color |
The Sew-n-Sews are extremely organized. In one room in Kathy’s sewing space, which encompasses almost her entire basement, are shelves and shelves, stacked against every inch of wall space and touching the ceiling, filled with carefully labeled boxes of materials by color, sizes of materials, and patterns.
For Karen Sommer, many tender mercies occur when planning out the quilts, even though initially she did not know who needed it.
 |
| Karen explains the closet full of quilting material |
“I wanted to make a quilt, and Kathy gave me a pattern, and I began making one,” explained Karen. “It kept coming to me that someone needs this. When I asked Debbie about the quilt, she asked what I was going to do with it. The moment she asked that, I knew I needed to give it to a woman in my church congregation who was going through chemo. I felt really good about giving it to someone who needed it.”
 |
| Material organized by color |
“These quilts wrap people in love,” said Doris. Over the years, the Sew-n-Sews have wrapped thousands of children and others in beautiful quilts that tell stories in Utah, Ukraine, and other places.
The Sew-n-Sews make quilts and pillowcases but do not use social media to promote themselves, but they do know they are making a difference in many lives.
 |
| Displays for materials and quilting things |
“My sewing buddies are my best friends,” declared Debbie. “Together, we make a difference and connections by creating something special to give to people. Everything we do is for service.”
The Sew-n-Sews are happy to receive donations of quilting materials and batting. If you are interested in starting a sewing or quilting group to help those most in need or have quilting materials to donate, please contact Kathy Gover at 801-636-1436 or via kwgover@yahoo.com.
