The Merry Mat Makers

Every day you’re reminded of the blessings around you, but it’s usually the little things in life, the hot coffee in the morning or the comfortable bed at night, that can be taken for granted.

Sherma Brown was feeling drawn to give, but she didn’t know where to begin. She knew she liked to work with her hands and she wanted something she could do on her own time. Her sister in Oklahoma introduced her to Plarn Mats for the Homeless, and after a few Google searches and YouTube videos, Sherma was inspired and excited for all of the good it could bring.

Plarn, also known as Plastic Bag Yarn, is crocheting together strips of plastic bags leftover from the grocery store and turning them into something durable and sturdy, such as tote bags, doormats, or, in Sherma’s case, sleeping mats to provide for the homeless. At the beginning of 2019, she introduced this idea to her church, First Baptist Church of Richardson. She knew there was a large senior citizen group that would be willing to help her create these mats. She quickly formed a group of 26 people and they soon had scheduled plarning meetings at the church. Within a year, the group was able to produce 92 mats that were 3 feet by 6 feet. Each mat was then delivered by the mission pastor of the church and his assistant around the area.

During the pandemic in 2020, the group needed to move their meetings to Sherma‘s home in Canyon Creek. Soon after, word traveled and neighbors became interested in joining the group as a way to keep busy and give back. The group grew and so did the production. By the end of 2020, the Merry Mat Makers, as they now call their plarning group made up of church members and Canyon Creek neighbors, produced over 300 mats with matching pillows made out of newspaper sleeves.

When the Richardson senior center opened back up, one of the neighbors took the activity to them and they now have a group with eight people involved. Then, a woman in that group took it to her senior community with a large population and they started another group that now has 22 people involved.

When it comes to making the mats, there are four different jobs involved, like an assembly line: one person smooths and folds the bags, the next person cuts them into strips, then someone ties each strip together to make the plarn, and finally someone crochets the plarn into the mat. “I never crocheted before,” Sherma said, “but I watched YouTube videos to learn and now I can do it!”

When the mats are finished, they are rolled up and tied with a crocheted rope that makes them easier to be carried. Each one is wrapped with a pillow, a power bar, and a note, which includes:

“This mat is for you! It took many people, working many hours, to make. It is made from 500 to 700 grocery bags. We pray for your protection, provision, and your direction.”

At the beginning of 2021, the group went back to meeting at the church but also maintained their meetings in the neighborhood. More and more new people have joined the group and so far this year they have made

Glynda Thompson & Joni McClure

Glynda Thompson

by Jessica Wedge

Canyon Creek resident Liz Wright

Christy Vaupel, assistant missions pastor

Sherma Brown

450 mats. The group not only enjoys making something useful from trash items, but the friendships that have been made have been delightful.

“I just want people to know about it and I encourage everyone to try it,” Sherma explained, “it’s something great for anyone to do on their own or with friends.” The Merry Mat Makers meet once a week in the neighborhood and they encourage anyone to reach out for more information or to join.