Press & News
June 17, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vicki Miles
vicki@sew-loved.org
SEW LOVED INC. LAUNCHES “THE SEWING LAB”
WITH ITS FIRST MAJOR PURCHASE FROM PETE FOR AMERICA
SOUTH BEND, IN. Sew Loved Inc., a nonprofit organization based in South Bend, Indiana, announced today the launch of THE SEWING LAB, a training program to teach industrial sewing, employment and life skills to young adults and women in South Bend, with the support of its first industrial sewing contract coming from Pete for America.
The machine embroidered “Women for Pete” hats, now available in the online Pete for America Store, were embroidered by trainees of The Sewing Lab.
“We are so happy to have the opportunity to show the world what we can do.
We make quality products, and create employment opportunities for the young people and women of our programs in the process.”
—Vicki Miles, founder and Executive Director, Sew Loved Inc.
The Sewing Lab, a program of Sew Loved Inc., provides much-needed on-the-job training and helps to address the thousands of unfilled industrial sewing jobs in the Michiana region. While originally known locally for its creative market bags made from donated recycled denim, the organization now also produces machine embroidered products, with the capacity to fulfill orders of 2000 units or more per month. Through the production and sale of its products, Sew Loved Inc. is generating funds to sustain and expand the Sewing Lab, and the contract with Pete for America is the first major industrial contract for the organization.
“Pete for America is pleased to have this product embroidered by Sew Loved Inc.” —Pete for America
With over 1200 industrial sewing jobs remaining unfilled each year in the region, and hundreds of people in search of industrial skills, the Sewing Lab at Sew Loved is facing a waiting list from eager students and from employers seeking skilled industrial sewing professionals. Sew Loved Inc.’s goal is to raise $250,000 over the next six months, through contracts, sales and donations, to expand the program and double the number of students served by January 2020. Funds will be used to purchase additional industrial sewing equipment and fund the construction of additional classrooms.
Sew Loved Inc., founded in 2012 and led by Vicki Miles and a handful of dedicated volunteers, is based in South Bend, Indiana. Sew Loved Inc. runs The Sewing Lab and the Women’s Center, providing programs to teach industrial and domestic sewing, and employment and life skills to women, young adults, and others interested in learning in-demand skills.
For more information, contact the team at Sew Loved, at t Sew-loved.org, vicki@sew-loved.org.