04/09/2026
Sew Hope Project.
In my late 40’s, I lost my job and went thru the whirlwind of closing out our company. What’s next, I said. I’m old, and feeling empty. I need to make my life fulfilling, and I needed a mission. But I was also tired mentally. Maybe I can just take this time to actually rest first. And so I did. But still I frequented every day till night our neighborhood sewing room and observed, and helped out as much as I could. And so I learned. I took classes for pattern making and basic sewing in FIP. And so I learned how to make patterns and sew clothes.
Back story, my Lola, Saling Aquino, was a crafter, and used to hold pattern making classes here at home. (I found out from my mom after I’d told her I was studying in FIP) How cool is that! Actually I’d named my company after her since she was really a Master Crafter I’d look up to. She paints, decorates the house nicely for Christmas with recycled decors, she also cross stitches, she did everything crafts.
So with her as my inspiration, and my inner passion for sewing and upcycling,
I persisted to learn. The last money I had, I built a sewing room in front of our house. With a mission in mind that I’d like to help standby ladies by teaching them what I learned and so they could earn too and make a living. I often have an insecurity of feeling useless so I’d like to fight that by serving.
Another side story, when my daughter was in Grade 3, the little business minded girl wanted to sell scrunchies to her classmates. She wanted fluffy, furry, soft ones. Me naman, I frequented thrift shops and a lightbulb moment came when I saw sweaters and winter wear that was almost at a giveaway rate of 10 pesos, since nobody wants to wear those here in Manila. I bought all of them . They were so furry, soft, fuzzy. I cut them up and made my first scrunchies. They weren’t perfect. Actually they were sewn sloppily, (with my now sharp eye lol) but the kids super loved them. It was also then (2019) that VSCO was raising awareness in a fun way. So this upcycling lil business of hers equally raised awareness to help minimize unsellable trash that might overflow from our landfills to nearby coastal waters.But in a fun skskskcrunchies way.
My daughter loved them and so did her friends. It turned up to be a business that I supply to Papemelroti to this day. For that I’m so thankful.
But that was only the beginning. I wanted to help others as much as I want to help myself. I joined my daughter’s ECO Fair, where I sold scrunchies and pre loved clothes. We were immersed with local Sitio Nanays, and so asked for a contact number thru our moderator. I immediately contacted her if she’d like to sew my scrunchies, and I’d pay her 10 pesos each. She agreed. That was back in 2022. She still is my contact for now a group of sitio mamaya sewing the cut upcycled fabric into scrunchies.
Next is putting the garter. I needed to delegate this job. So I picked a handful of ladies I noticed were just sitting around in our neighborhood , and asked if they’d like to earn. They excitedly agreed. So I taught them and now they still do the job for me.
And so my passion for upcycling and sewing continues to be fueled as I help others and pray for guidance always.
So with my sewing room built, although not yet finished to my design inspo, I wanted An ice breaker. I wanted to help ladies of the community. I walked thru neighborhood families asking them if they’d like to learn sewing. I can help them make money. No one ever came. I was so frustrated because no was so willing to help but no one wanted to help themselves too.
Months later, I decided I might as well use this sewing room for my operations for Hanabananascrunchie. So I worked there. My luck came when our neighborhood sewing room didn’t want to continue anymore and so I again helped their sewer by providing a place for him to continue his crafts. So now we have alterations. This is another story..(part 2 blessing)
Months later, a blessing came when a neighbor asked if I could help her pamangkin who had no more dad, and was out of school due to financial reasons. (This is another story part 3 blessing)
So this is Luisa, my pioneer student for Sew Hope. She takes notes, and continue to practice sewing even after she’s dismissed na! (Just like me haha) So I’m so thankful for her persistence, and determination to learn. She’s so receptive of all that I teach her. May God bless our journey together and transform her to a skilled crafter like my Lola, like my mom, like me! And may she likewise pass it on to the next!
My takeaway - I am not earning a single cent right yet from my sewing room.. I’m working hard and trying to juggle a full time mom/yaya/ sewing room… I am serving and helping others… and I am so happy and thankful everyday.
1 Peter 4:10: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace".
