Crocheting on the Rez

Wed. Nov. 12 The church was shampooed today, so we held our enrichment activites in our trailer. I was a little panicked at first which Sister Curley didn't show up to teach our first crocheting class, and there were 6 ladies ready to go. The only thing I know how to crochet is leper bandages and edging on burp pads. But she finally showed up and she and her sister Genevieve along with Sister Dia patiently taught everyone how to make granny squares. We had 10 wonderful ladies working and laughing non-stop for a couple of hours. When you look at their faces, you'll see part of the joy we feel as we serve here. They are great. Four of the sisters had never crocheted before, so they learned something new. Three were non-members. This has been a good sisterhood bonding activity.
The last hour of the activity, I talked to 6 of the sisters about writing their spiritual history, which will be part of the Ganado Branch History I hope to compile before we leave.

What you reap, so shall ye sew!

One of our first miracles here in Ganado was the arrival of a brand new $500 sewing machine. Sister Gill told me we should ask the Church facilities management if our branch could have one, so we asked, and then a month later it came! It is a wonderful machine, and we have put it to good work.

That miracle came after we had tried other avenues for getting additional machines. First Sister Gill brought up a used machine from Mesa, and then I bought another used one in a cabinet from Sister Nez for $25. For from that initial investment, we now have 3 machines.
At both of the last sewing workshops, all three of them were used. I am so thankful for this blessing in our sisters' lives.

UFO Sewing Day

Sister Mannie, and Alta Wauneka model their new aprons.

July sewing was focused on finishing up old projects, and then making aprons the sisters could use, as well as making ones for those who don't often come to church.
We also used scraps from the May and July Apron projects to make hot pads. We had nine sisters come, and two of those were new ones who hadn't come before. We had a great time!


Even some of the kids got interested in sewing.

Mother's Day Aprons for Sr. Citizens

In addition to making cute baby quilts, our Ganado sisters also helped cut out and hem nearly 30 chef aprons for the Grandmothers at the Sr. Citizen Center. We took them over May 7, so they had them in time for Mother's Day. We did everything except the pockets, which the director wanted them to do. They had the best time doing this, and loved the aprons and were so appreciative of what the sisters in our branch had done. Sisters: Robrecht, Farrah and Shar Tososie, and Alta Wauneka came and helped with the activity.

Sewing workshop #3--Floating pinwheels

Sister Robrecht and her daughter completed this cute quilt in just a couple of days.



On May 2 and 3, I taught another sewing workshop with about 10 sisters coming. This pinwheel block was actually a little easier and faster than last months. Here are some of the results.

Sisters Learn to Make Pinwheels

Nine sisters from the Ganado branch, plus three missionaries from Chinle, learned how to make a pieced pinwheel baby blanket. Sister Wilcox set up 3 different starting times to accommodate different work schedules on March 26. Several sisters, however, stayed most of the day.
Sister Nez, a beginning sewer, is hoping to learn how to sew well enough that she can use it for a home industry to earn money. Three of the sisters who came have been inactive for some time, but enjoyed the comraderie engendered at the all-day activity. One of the faithful participants in the workshops is an investigator who has developed a new skill. Sister Chung, an active member of the branch, helped as an assistant at the workshop, and then went on to teach the pattern steps to her extended family two weeks later. We think quilting may be addictive and is spreading.