Swap Success!!

August 24, 2009

The 2nd annual Back to School Don’t Shop/Swap is now in the history books and was a HUGE success. A couple hundred people or more came through the doors to purge what they didn’t need and gain what they did. We had an amazing team of silk screeners with all manner of cool images including stars, bees, and Monsterlove Monster heads. Thanks Andrea for setting that all up!

We had half a dozen sewers on hand making yoga pants (the pattern for which you can find at this link) and tote bags out of t-shirts and revamping clothing into new and exciting fashions. As Lisa said, “They don’t know what’s not possible, so part of my job was making the impossible, possible.” And she was totally cool with that. Our machines were generously donated by Maurice at City Service Sewing Machines who loaned us 5 beautiful refurbished machines to use. They were/are available for sale so if anyone is seeking a good refurbished machine, contact me this week or visit Maurice at City Service Sewing Machine behind Cafe Mundi.

Our youngest sewer Zoe was working her own machine for HOURS on end, making bags, bags and more bags out of the many shirts that were brought her way. Way to go Zoe for making child labor look so good!

Our sorting crew was indefatiguable and sorted the hundred or more bags that came their way – sorting it by gender and size and sending it out to the appropriate piles. Amazing work girls!!! And I say girls because 80% of our crew were under the age of 15 and non-stop!

We extend big thanks too to Teresa Ponzoha, the Zilker Elementary school PE teacher who generously allowed us to invade her gymnasium just 2 days before the start of school. And to Mr. Thompson, the principal, who gave us access and set up the crew to get us in and out of the building.

So thanks to all who came. All who sorted, silk screened, sewed and swapped. Each role is integral and the beauty of it all coming together was like a well oiled machine. And thanks Leslie for these great pics…

Finally, thanks to Sweet Leaf tea for donating 5 cases of delicious iced tea for our amazing crew of volunteers. You certainly helped sweeten the pot!

For me and Kathie, this swap is like a dream come true. Everyone coming together, getting what they need, hanging out, sharing ideas, and piles and piles of second hand clothes. We might even make it bi-annual!

Remember too, if you want to run your own, we’ve got a tutorial here on our site.

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