Creative Sewing

The Creative Sewing Ministry (CSM) began as a group of crafty ladies who
made decorations, gifts, artwork and handouts for the entire parish family.
That group evolved into a smaller group of dedicated sewists who concentrate
on liturgical items.

The group’s primary objective is to provide the white garments (bibs) that are
presented to each baby baptized here at Holy Family Catholic Community.
Older children receive a white stole. These white garments include decorative
gold thread borders and embroidered cross designs. CSM members
affectionately refer to themselves as the BIBS group. Early in 2007, they
made BIBS an acronym for Be Inspired By Sewing and created a logo to
match. The embroidered designs are done mostly by machine now, but we
also have sewists who lovingly embroider by hand. Each item includes
our signature label: Made with Loving Stitches by Holy
Family Catholic Community .

A nother significant group project involves the beautiful altar cloth used at
Easter when adults are received into our church community through
the RCIA/Footsteps program.
Dating back to the first group in the 1980’s, each new member’s name is
hand embroidered onto the linen cloth. They learn of this special altar cloth
at the initiation practice on Holy Thursday.  Many are moved to tears
(as are we!) to learn that their names are a permanent part of our
parish’s Easter liturgies.

In 2007, we approached the Pastoral Care director with a new idea.
We suggested a project focusing on the sick among us - to machine
embroider Lay Your Head Upon our Prayers onto pillow slips that
we proposed be given to the most seriously ill of our parish.
The idea was wholeheartedly embraced and we began work on our
first twelve pillow slips. The first recipient received a special note from
us indicating that he received our first slip,and we wished him well in his
efforts to regain his health.

The CSM BIBS group meets the first and fourth Tuesday of the month from
1-4 pm in Lower Level 1. We do not meet in July, August and December.
We welcome new members with open arms, appreciative of whatever
gift they bring: hand sewers, sewing machine sewers, fabric cutters,
pressers,even knitters and crocheters! If you don’t sew
I and would like to learn, we are here to help get you started.

Please call the parish office at (847) 359-0042 and leave
your name and phone number.
One of our group leaders will return the call. We’re anxious to hear from
you and welcome your gifts to our ministry.