Creative Giving: Sacred Sewing Room Makeover

Now here is a story to warm the heart on this chilly March morning. In celebration of National Craft Month and on behalf of the amazing folks at Enchanted Makeovers and Baby Lock, we are so excited to share the reveal of this amazing Sacred Sewing Room with you! First, let's peek at the before and after photos of this stunning room...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Now, if that wasn't enough to "wow" you, wait until you hear the rest. This gorgeous room is just one of many that was revealed to residents of the Genesis III House in January, which is a Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries shelter dedicated to serving female veterans and their families.

The makeover was performed by Enchanted Makeovers, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming shelter environments across the United States, and was its largest makeover yet and included 21 bedrooms - plus this special sewing room.

The Sacred Sewing Room, sponsored by Baby Lock, was created to help the women and children at Genesis III House in their healing process. Terry Grahl, founder and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers, notes that a main goal of their organization is to help give shelter residents a voice, and sewing skills give those women and children a sense of self-worth and empowerment they may have been missing. Finishing a project is more than having a new pillowcase or blanket—it instills a feeling of “I can do this.”

The sewing room reveal was exciting and heartwarming for all. Grahl shares, “Women were screaming with tears of joy, ‘My grandma used to sew!’. There was even a little boy who went and sat at a machine, ready to sew at that moment!” Grahl said.

The sewing room is equipped with six Baby Lock Grace sewing machines, for which maintenance will be provided by Baby Lock Retailer Sandy’s Sew & Vac in Dearborn Heights, Michigan to ensure the machines are always working properly.

As for the rest of the house? “The hallways [of the shelter] were all dark, and it was exactly how these women and children were feeling. A new environment represents starting fresh,” Grahl said. “I’ve learned so much. Standing there, at one point I heard a little boy look at a bird painted on the wall and he said, ‘I feel like I can just fly’. You really see how important environment is.”

Over 300 volunteers and donors helped with the large Detroit makeover, with donations coming from individuals and companies across the country. After months of hard work, many volunteers, shelter staff members and residents shared a meal to celebrate the big reveal of the makeover. No one was served in a food line, and everyone was treated as equals.

“Everyone had a name tag. Do you ever notice when you volunteer somewhere it’s only the volunteers that have name tags? We aim to give everyone a voice,” Grahl said.

So how does Enchanted Makeovers plan to keep its mission going? “It isn’t about getting a can of paint,” Grahl said. “We want training so others know how to do this, too.” Volunteers from all over the world regularly contact Enchanted Makeovers asking to get involved. With a National Headquarters, Enchanted Makeovers can train volunteers on leading makeovers in various regions. For more information, visit EnchantedMakeovers.org.