Linda Lambert (left), of Everett, and Vickie Sawade, of Snohomish, sew tote bags with other members of the Snohomish County Sewing and Textile Advisors at McCollum Park in Everett on March 17. The completed bags all went to Safe Place, an Everett shelter for homeless children. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Linda Lambert (left), of Everett, and Vickie Sawade, of Snohomish, sew tote bags with other members of the Snohomish County Sewing and Textile Advisors at McCollum Park in Everett on March 17. The completed bags all went to Safe Place, an Everett shelter for homeless children. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Volunteers gather to sew projects for various groups

EVERETT — About 20 people came together at McCollum Park recently to sew tote bags.

Instead of a social get-together, this sew-in was all business.

It was a meeting of Snohomish County Clothing and Textile Advisors, a group that meets monthly for charity.

“Sew Thoughtful is our charity sew, and we do it once a month, and we have several different groups that we sew for,” said Arlene Harris, who is the membership chairwoman.

This month’s benefactor was Safe Place, an Everett shelter for homeless children age 12 and younger that is a program of Hand in Hand.

Harris and the others sewed 37 tote bags for kids staying in the shelter.

The totes were sturdy. Harris and the others used fairly heavy corduroy or denim fabric, with a pocket of some sort of printed fabric.

“It’s so they have something that will put a smile on their face,” Harris said. “When they go out they’ll have a bag that is colorful and durable that they can put their items in that is not a garbage bag.”

In April, the group will meet to sew walker bags for patients in physical rehab at Group Health (now Kaiser Permanente) Everett Medical Center.

In May, the recipients will be Navy moms reached through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

“They call them Junior Sea Bags, for babies of Navy personnel who are out to sea,” Harris said. “They put together the needs for the mom and the baby and we make a 36-by-36-inch quilt for the babies.”

The program started years ago as a Washington State University Extension program that went independent.

“In 1996, there were a few gals who realized this opportunity was available in Pierce County, where it started,” Harris said.

It later spread up to Snohomish County, one of four chapters in the state now.

The active membership is about 50 volunteers, Harris said. At McCollum Park, 21 people came, but a few took part remotely sewing at home. Typically about 15 people show up at the monthly sessions.

“It’s sort of potluck. I set up and prepare and people come,” Harris said. “I have standards so they have to measure up to that.”

Other Sew Together sessions produce knit hats for the teens using Cocoon House’s U-Turn drop-in center, flannel pajamas for children at Safe Place, and hygiene products for girls in developing countries.

To raise money for supplies, the group holds sewing classes for children and adults at the Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo, and in the summer hosts Camp Stitch-a-Lot for kids age 8-17.

The group also awards a $1,500 scholarship annually to a second-year student in Seattle Central College’s Applied Apparel and Design program.

Harris emphasized that she and the other members take their sewing seriously. It’s not a social club, and even when nonmembers come by, she expects a high quality of work.

“We have a lot of needs, so if you join, this is our mission statement: taking sewing to the community,” Harris said.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.