There are so many across our nation who, unashamedly, love and support the men and women who selflessly serve our nation and it citizenry.
In the midst of the mainstream media’s assault on our sheepdogs, it is time to recognize one such story of someone who recognizes the humanity of those protecting and serving while acknowledging the people behind the scenes know as family.
We want to introduce you to Everlasting Stitch and the amazing person behind what they do. Victoria, along with her son Corey, started this business in 2022 after she made a pillow out of a sweatshirt for a friend’s mom who had just lost her husband.
Seeing her immediately embrace that pillow inspired Victoria to start using her love and skills in sewing to help bring some compassion, joy and maybe even some healing to people who have lost the people they love.
While she doesn’t limit her skills and products only to families of law enforcement and military members, she has a desire to give back to those families who have sacrificed so much in the loss of, or even separation from, their loved ones as they serve.
Law Enforcement Today sat down with her to talk about what this all means to her and how it got started.
How did you get started?
”My grandma bought me my sewing machine when I was around 12 years old and taught me the basics of sewing. We worked on some projects together, but after a while I lost interest. So, my sewing machine was put back in its box for over a decade until my interest recently peaked again.
"A family friend encouraged me to begin making ‘memory pillows,’ which are pillows made with clothing, such as shirts, of loved ones who are no longer with us. Initially I was not interested. I was intimidated by the thought of handling and cutting items of such sentimental value.
She told me I could practice on one of her dad's sweatshirts who had recently passed away. I did, and she gifted the pillow to her mom. Seeing her reaction and emotion, and the way she immediately hugged and embraced the pillow, I knew this was something I wanted - no, needed - to do for others.
I put it out there and received a lot of interest in the memory pillows, but was often asked if I could make bears. I didn't like the feeling of having to keep telling people ‘no’.
"So, just like so many years before, I turned to my grandmother to help me improve my sewing skills. She has been there to figure out different patterns with me, always helps me in a pinch and answers any questions I have, and is willing to expedite my bear making process by stuffing them. She is my biggest supporter and I wouldn't be able to do this without her.”
What motivates you to make these bears?
“Knowing the purpose they serve: to help people cope with the loss of their loved one in such a meaningful way. Clothing is usually the hardest item to part with after someone passes away because they are the essence of who someone was.
They have so many memories attached to them. Repurposing their clothing in this way gives people a tangible piece of their loved one to hold onto. It helps them to cherish and keep their memory alive. Doing this also gives me purpose; I feel good inside knowing that I am using my skills to make a positive impact on others.
Grief and loss are shared human experiences, so I would say that empathy also motivates me. I am able to connect with others and, although I may not know them personally, I understand to an extent what they're experiencing.”
How many have you completed?
"I have made over 80 memory bears since I started in January of this year (2023) and have sent keepsakes (either a memory pillow or memory bear) home to 14 different states.
Fifteen of the bears I've made are for military or first responders; some made in their memory, some sent to family members missing their deployed loved one or were gifted to growing families. Those have gone home to Georgia, South Carolina, California, and Connecticut.
"Over the last nine months, I have made these keepsakes from the heart and always strive to improve my craft. I have been able to invest in an embroidery machine and can embroider short phrases or names onto the memory bears, making them even more personal and special.
"I have had to limit orders and start a wait list because I have a full time job and a three-year-old, so I am only able to work on them in my ‘free time’. However military and first responder bears do take priority and are available until I cannot keep up with that demand."
What do you hope they mean to the families who receive them?
"I hope that the bears I make provide comfort to the families and serve as a reminder of who their loved one was and what they meant to them. Some families have requested bears to be made for babies who didn't get to meet their loved one, such as their grandfather or uncle. For them, I hope they are able to feel their loved one with them through their bear as they grow up and go through life."
What has been the feedback from the recipients?
"I have been overwhelmed with such thoughtful and heartfelt feedback from people receiving my bears. Most, if not all, have expressed their deep gratitude. Some have sent me pictures or videos after receiving their bear(s). It means so much to me to be able to witness these beautiful and personal moments that I helped make happen."
Emily Rogers is one such recipient of a bear, She shared her thoughts as well as a photo.
"Becoming a United States Marine had been my brother Blake’s dream since he was little. He held steadfast to that dream and graduated from Parris Island in January 2009. He wanted to make a career out of the Marine Corps but was unfortunately killed in action in September 2010 during his first and only deployment. He was only a few weeks shy of coming home. We miss him more than could ever be accurately described.
"My brother will always be my biggest hero and I will tell Blake, my daughter, about his story and he will become her hero too. I will teach her that her name means ‘courageous and selfless and sacrifice’ because that is what my brother was and that is what my brother did.
"I sent his uniform to Victoria with Everlasting Stitch LLC and she turned it into something my daughter will cherish forever. These are not just clothes— these are what he shed blood, sweat, and tears in so as to sacrifice his own life for us. I am so thankful for her willingness to create items like this for grieving families. She has been kind, empathetic, and communicative every step of the way."
In the midst of the mainstream media’s assault on our sheepdogs, it is time to recognize one such story of someone who recognizes the humanity of those protecting and serving while acknowledging the people behind the scenes know as family.
We want to introduce you to Everlasting Stitch and the amazing person behind what they do. Victoria, along with her son Corey, started this business in 2022 after she made a pillow out of a sweatshirt for a friend’s mom who had just lost her husband.
Seeing her immediately embrace that pillow inspired Victoria to start using her love and skills in sewing to help bring some compassion, joy and maybe even some healing to people who have lost the people they love.
While she doesn’t limit her skills and products only to families of law enforcement and military members, she has a desire to give back to those families who have sacrificed so much in the loss of, or even separation from, their loved ones as they serve.
Law Enforcement Today sat down with her to talk about what this all means to her and how it got started.
How did you get started?
”My grandma bought me my sewing machine when I was around 12 years old and taught me the basics of sewing. We worked on some projects together, but after a while I lost interest. So, my sewing machine was put back in its box for over a decade until my interest recently peaked again.
"A family friend encouraged me to begin making ‘memory pillows,’ which are pillows made with clothing, such as shirts, of loved ones who are no longer with us. Initially I was not interested. I was intimidated by the thought of handling and cutting items of such sentimental value.
She told me I could practice on one of her dad's sweatshirts who had recently passed away. I did, and she gifted the pillow to her mom. Seeing her reaction and emotion, and the way she immediately hugged and embraced the pillow, I knew this was something I wanted - no, needed - to do for others.
I put it out there and received a lot of interest in the memory pillows, but was often asked if I could make bears. I didn't like the feeling of having to keep telling people ‘no’.
"So, just like so many years before, I turned to my grandmother to help me improve my sewing skills. She has been there to figure out different patterns with me, always helps me in a pinch and answers any questions I have, and is willing to expedite my bear making process by stuffing them. She is my biggest supporter and I wouldn't be able to do this without her.”
What motivates you to make these bears?
“Knowing the purpose they serve: to help people cope with the loss of their loved one in such a meaningful way. Clothing is usually the hardest item to part with after someone passes away because they are the essence of who someone was.
They have so many memories attached to them. Repurposing their clothing in this way gives people a tangible piece of their loved one to hold onto. It helps them to cherish and keep their memory alive. Doing this also gives me purpose; I feel good inside knowing that I am using my skills to make a positive impact on others.
Grief and loss are shared human experiences, so I would say that empathy also motivates me. I am able to connect with others and, although I may not know them personally, I understand to an extent what they're experiencing.”
How many have you completed?
"I have made over 80 memory bears since I started in January of this year (2023) and have sent keepsakes (either a memory pillow or memory bear) home to 14 different states.
Fifteen of the bears I've made are for military or first responders; some made in their memory, some sent to family members missing their deployed loved one or were gifted to growing families. Those have gone home to Georgia, South Carolina, California, and Connecticut.
"Over the last nine months, I have made these keepsakes from the heart and always strive to improve my craft. I have been able to invest in an embroidery machine and can embroider short phrases or names onto the memory bears, making them even more personal and special.
"I have had to limit orders and start a wait list because I have a full time job and a three-year-old, so I am only able to work on them in my ‘free time’. However military and first responder bears do take priority and are available until I cannot keep up with that demand."
What do you hope they mean to the families who receive them?
"I hope that the bears I make provide comfort to the families and serve as a reminder of who their loved one was and what they meant to them. Some families have requested bears to be made for babies who didn't get to meet their loved one, such as their grandfather or uncle. For them, I hope they are able to feel their loved one with them through their bear as they grow up and go through life."
What has been the feedback from the recipients?
"I have been overwhelmed with such thoughtful and heartfelt feedback from people receiving my bears. Most, if not all, have expressed their deep gratitude. Some have sent me pictures or videos after receiving their bear(s). It means so much to me to be able to witness these beautiful and personal moments that I helped make happen."
Emily Rogers is one such recipient of a bear, She shared her thoughts as well as a photo.
"Becoming a United States Marine had been my brother Blake’s dream since he was little. He held steadfast to that dream and graduated from Parris Island in January 2009. He wanted to make a career out of the Marine Corps but was unfortunately killed in action in September 2010 during his first and only deployment. He was only a few weeks shy of coming home. We miss him more than could ever be accurately described.
"My brother will always be my biggest hero and I will tell Blake, my daughter, about his story and he will become her hero too. I will teach her that her name means ‘courageous and selfless and sacrifice’ because that is what my brother was and that is what my brother did.
"I sent his uniform to Victoria with Everlasting Stitch LLC and she turned it into something my daughter will cherish forever. These are not just clothes— these are what he shed blood, sweat, and tears in so as to sacrifice his own life for us. I am so thankful for her willingness to create items like this for grieving families. She has been kind, empathetic, and communicative every step of the way."
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