Bangor sewing guild stitches for good causes

BANGOR – Since the Bangor Area Chapter of the American Sewing Guild was formed in 1993 with 12 members, its number has grown to more than 50, said Norma Binan of Hampden, a founding member. The chapter welcomes members who live within a 50-75 radius of Bangor who meet to learn new techniques in Neighborhood Work Groups.

Members also sew for good causes, which include making positioning pillows for Levenson Center residents, preemie wardrobes for Eastern Maine Medical Center neonatal clinics, Christmas stockings for a foster children program, table covers as a fund-raiser to benefit the American Cancer Society, and projects with Girl Scouts and local 4-H groups.

The chapter offers sewing help to the public at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts on Stillwater Avenue the first Saturday of each month. Classes are taught all day and if it’s a sale day, Binan said, 60-70 people may stop at the chapter’s table for information.

The chapter has sponsored visits by nationally known sewing educators Shirley Adams and Sally Cowan. This year a special guest in October will be Clotilde, who owns and operates a mail order business selling sewing notions.

The chapter’s most recent endeavor is a joint effort with Jo-Ann Fabrics and the national level of the sewing guild. The Bangor Chapter made a 36-inch by 49-inch quilted wall hanging to honor the fire fighters who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001.

The wall hanging is circulating among area fire departments. Recently, it has been at the Brewer Fire Department. It will be at the Hermon Fire Department from mid-March to mid-April, and at the Bangor Fire Department from mid- April to mid-May, when it will be presented to the Hose 5 Fire Museum on State Street.