An Encouraging Story and a Beautiful Bag!

Sewist’s Name: Sheri Robbins from South Bend, Indiana

Type of Project: Bag

Bag Pattern: Imilova Designs (found on Etsy)

Embroidery Design: ITH (In the Hoop) Bag Horse Cosmetic Bag

Featured Date: 11-2-23

Hi, I’m Sheri. Recently I prepared for a small craft fair and my newest favorite project was these embroidered zippered bags. Particularly the horse bag is my favorite having several people I know that love horses. But my story is about the one with the brown thread was sold at my craft booth. Interestingly enough, I had just about sold it to another person, but I had forgotten that I like to add a ribbon or charm at the end of the zipper. I told the lady who wanted to purchase to give me just a minute or two and I would add the charm  and she acted as though she would come back but never did. I was a bit disappointed until the next purchaser, whom I am SO thankful received this bag, came by and told me her story…

She showed me a picture of her 10 year-old niece, who showed her horse  at an event. She was just beautiful, dressed in her equestrian outfit with her horse captured in a prancing position!  During the event the horse had a medical emergency and fell. Her niece was riding and the horse fell on top of her! She was rushed to a hospital and, unfortunately, the horse ended up dying!!

I was so saddened and touched by her story and told her that SHE needed to have this bag! I was so grateful that my original person who wanted it, never came back for it, because I knew that this little girl needed to have this special little bag as a memory of her dear horse. She recovered physically but I’m sure emotionally she is still missing her beloved pet and friend.

I had just started to be discouraged that sales were not very great that day until this lady came by my booth. It just  goes to show us how special and important our skill of sewing is and we never know how it is going to touch another person‘s life!!!
I failed to take a picture of it finished with the small charm I put on the zipper, but it was gold and had the word “HOPE” on it!   That one purchase alone made my entire day worth all the work!…. PRICELESS!!!

I was later able to track down my customer through my Square account. I wanted to tell her this story had been chosen to be featured this week in Sew & Tell on Nancy’s Notions. I found out as I spoke to her (about a month after my craft show) that she was in Texas visiting her niece and giving her the bag that same day!  She also said her niece had recovered well and now has a new horse!! I don’t believe in coincidences, but divine appointments!!  “SEW”… in closing… I am “sew” thankful for God, The Creator of ALL things creative!, my Mom, who was patient enough to teach me to sew 50 years ago, the sewing students that I then was able to teach for 16 years, and the creative people who share their skills and designs also! We all definitely help each other to continue creating beautiful things and hopefully touch lives along the way.

Sheri Robbins

South Bend, Indiana

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