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Rose Sewing for Charity founder Rosaline Cox with her newfound friend Judith Culley, whom she met through the group. Photo: Jamie Wicks
A thimble of love
Lambton’s Rosaline Cox just wants to make people happy. With decades of experience as a professional dressmaker, she’s pretty much old hat at it, having spent hours upon hours with each customer in order to bring their visions to life. But lately, she’s been thinking about how she can devote her energy to helping those in need. Faced with the sombre news she had leukaemia in August, Rose was searching for something to keep her mind occupied. Having retired a few years ago, the 69-year-old had sold most of her sewing equipment, but luckily she kept one or two sewing machines. Last month, Rose Sewing for Charity was born. Through Facebook alone, Rose has recruited 49 members (and made many new friends along the way) from all over the Hunter to take part in the charity project, which sees handsewn items donated to local organisations. These include, but are not limited to: ‘fiddle muffs’ – hand muffs with zips, buttons, pom poms and other bits and bobs to calm dementia and Alzheimer’s patients; sensory mats; teddies; preemie baby clothes and Christmas stockings. Rose says she and the other members are limited only by their imaginations. “I want to help everyone,” she said. “If someone has an idea for something, we’ll make it.” The group recently donated several fiddle muffs to the Dementia and Delirium Program at John Hunter Hospital, as well as Orchardtown Road Family Practice – Rose’s doctor’s surgery. In future, Rose hopes to visit nursing homes to distribute fiddle muffs and other
items, as well as playgroups and other centres where children with autism might also benefit from fiddle muffs in particular. She has also joined Angel Gowns Australia, to make outfits for stillborn and deceased babies to be buried in. To get the ball rolling on this still relatively-new venture, the group is calling for donations of money and sewing materials. They are also accepting new members, of all ages, who can choose to meet with the group every second Friday at Rose’s place, or sew from home. To enquire, email rose6513@hotmail.com or join the ‘Rose Sewing for Charity’ Facebook group. - Georgia Osland
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