After over twenty-five years of writing Sew News stories, journalist and author Gail Brown is retiring. In her final "Giving Back" column she reflects on her latest passion, charitable sewing, and her philanthropic project of choice.
SN: Why, with all the charities and volunteers you've written about during the last four years of "From the Heart" and "Giving Back," have you chosen to focus on hats for people with hair loss?
GAIL: Hair is closely linked to our identity, confidence and comfort. Even if a wig is available, some hours of the day call for an alternative, such as when sleeping. News travels fast. Once you're identified as a source for hats, the requests keep coming. The topic of hats came up recently while I was banking. The teller explained that she and her mother have alopecia and need hats to camouflage patchy baldness.
SN: When you hear that someone needs hats what's your first step?
GAIL: From my growing inventory of sewn and purchased hats, I pull together a collection of about 20 hats and accessories. Although I always offer assistance with fitting and wearing ideas, some people need privacy, time and space to try on the hats. Most narrow their selection to five or six. All I ask is that they tell me what they like and don't like, so I can refine the designs.
SN: What have you learned from their preferences?
GAIL: That it's impossible to guess favorite styles, fabrics, colors or sizes. Selection is key and a range of sizes is optimum. When you lose your hair you require a smaller hat size, so plenty of small and medium hats are a must. I've also learned to appreciate accessorizing and what just the right headband, halo, rosette or scarf can do for the hat and the wearer.
IF YOU HAVE A VOLUNTEER EFFORT you'd like to share with our readers, send your story and photos to Giving Back, Sew News, 741 Corporate Circle, Ste. A, Golden, CO 80401,
or e-mail sewnews@sewnews.com. Photos can't be returned. Featured charities will receive a copy of Creative Kindness, by Nancy Zieman and Gail Brown, and the companion video. Learn more about these products at www.nancysnotions.com.
SN: You must have lots of hats on hand.
GAIL: Yes, I have over 100 at all times. I sew, collect and design them constantly, keeping close tabs on fabric and accessory markdowns. For additional security and coverage, purchased hats are often modified. For example, I stitch extensions on ball caps, or make matching headbands for bandannas.
SN: Which is your most popular hat design?
GAIL:To date, it's the Creative Kindness Beret. The basic design is available online, and the variations are available as part of a multi-style pattern, "Hats for Any Reason–or Season," from Nancy's Notions. Notes of thanks for this pattern arrive almost daily, the latest being from a doctor going through cancer treatment. He proudly wears his beret creations with his hospital scrubs.
SN: Do you have suggestions for volunteers interested in making and sharing hats?
GAIL: Start sewing! Most designs can be constructed in 30 minutes or less. Use fabrics from your stash. For tips, style guidelines, free patterns and resource links, visit www.gailbrown.com.
SN: Now that you're stepping away from articles and books, will you continue your hat-making campaign?
GAIL: Absolutely! Ironically, now that I'll be writing less about sewing, I'll be designing and sewing more. My plan is to expand my hat style and technique options, adding needlework (as I did with crochet in my newest pattern) and trendier looks for teens and children, all with an emphasis on easy. So I'm not really leaving the sewing world, just changing venues and schedules.
Reclaim luxurious fibers for soft, elegant hats, such as the lavender cashmere discovered in a sweater drawer (at right), and accent with a loopy yarn rosette. Hat halos (at left) instantly add hair-like fullness around the face and double as neck-warming collars.
Dian James models a fleece Creative Kindness Beret. "I have two wigs but they aren't as comfortable as these hats," says Dian, "They're perfect for my 'chemo' head. "
For the past 33 years, Gail Brown has written 14 books and hundreds of articles. She's currently appearing on Sewing With Nancy's Creative Kindness Continues television show. She can't wait to make more hats.
SN: Do you have suggestions for volunteers interested in making and sharing hats?
Reclaim luxurious fibers for soft, elegant hats, such as the lavender cashmere discovered in a sweater drawer (at right), and accent with a loopy yarn rosette. Hat halos (at left) instantly add hair-like fullness around the face and double as neck-warming collars.
Dian James models a fleece Creative Kindness Beret. "I have two wigs but they aren't as comfortable as these hats," says Dian, "They're perfect for my 'chemo' head. "