Deobrah Wilkinson, a member of Sew Crazy, presents students at Ridgeview Elementary School with mats sewn by the group with designs geared to engage the children in problem solving and sensory exploration.
Deobrah Wilkinson, a member of Sew Crazy, presents students at Ridgeview Elementary School with mats sewn by the group with designs geared to engage the children in problem solving and sensory exploration.
Theresa Stone
Deobrah Wilkinson, a member of Sew Crazy, presents students at Ridgeview Elementary School with mats sewn by the group with designs geared to engage the children in problem solving and sensory exploration.
Theresa Stone
Students at Ridgeview Elementary School were presented with 24 sensory development mats sewn by members of Sew Crazy.
Two members of an area sewing club visited Ridgeview Elementary School recently to deliver educational products showcasing the group’s sewing skills.
Deborah Wilkinson and Theresa Stone of Sew Crazy of Northeast Tennessee presented Jennifer Fields’ class with sensory/activity mats as part of Washington County Schools Early Intervention Program.
Students were given 24 mats that Sew Crazy members designed and machine sewed during a three-month period in the fall. The mats were made with fabrics of bright colors and differing textures, which included zippers, Velcro, numbers, letters, small toys and bells.
All of the mats were geared to engage the children in problem solving and sensory exploration.
Fields and other school officials said the mats were an instant success, generating excitement as the children each picked one to work with. As they sat down with their mats, educators said the students’ curiosity peaked and they immediately began to explore the surface.
Wilkinson noted that the experience of watching the children was “very rewarding†and wished that “all of the Sew Crazy members could have seen their creations in action.â€
Sew Crazy is volunteer group of sewing enthusiasts with a record of more than a decade of stitching for good causes in the region. It is a 501c3 charitable sewing group based in ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ and serves several surrounding counties in Northeast Tennessee.
The organization was founded in 2010 by Donna Horowitz in the basement of her church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 201 E. Watauga Ave., ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
Between eight and 20 dedicated sewers meet the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church to work on projects for groups ranging from local animal shelters to the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Mountain Home.
“The mission of Sew Crazy is to preserve the history, creativity and passion of sewing and fiber arts,†Stone said. “This is accomplished through education, charitable endeavors and fellowship among sewers of all ages, interests and skill levels.â€
In January, Stone said the club worked on quilts for River’s Edge Quilt Ministry in Elizabethton to be distributed to flood victims.  Sew Crazy is working this month on infant sleep sacks, burp pads and changing mats for mothers in need at Hope House in Kingsport and Agape in ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
For more information, contact the group at info@sew- or visit its website at .
