October is a month known for crisp morning air, brilliant blue skies, and colorful changing leaves. Since 1985, October has also been known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sew-Crazy of Northeast TN has supported breast cancer awareness and the regional patients battling it nearly every October since its founding 16 years ago with a special sewing project known as drain pouches or mastectomy aprons.

The tradition will continue this year with a public event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10 am to 2pm. It will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 201 E. Watauga Avenue, Johnson City, TN. A free “sit-n-sew” day will attempt to make a goal of 100 completed aprons to be donated to Christine LaGuardia Phillips Cancer Center in Kingsport. Participants can come stay for the whole day or for just long enough to complete an apron.

The aprons are a very simple, easy to sew project, but participants must have basic sewing experience and must be over 18 years of age. Ages 15 to 18, accompanied by an adult, are welcome to take part. Sew Crazy members will be on hand to answer specific questions regarding the apron construction.

Attendees should bring their personal sewing machine and travelling sewing kit with fabric scissors and straight pins. Pre-cut kits of fabric and notions will be supplied by Sew Crazy. A few sewing machines will also be on hand if a sewer cannot bring one but still wants to sew for the cause. Light refreshments will be served.

Sew Crazy is a 501(c3) nonprofit working regionally to serve our community through charitable sewing. For more information about our group, please visit us at www.sew-crazy.org, https://www.facebook.com/sewcrazysew or email questions to info@sew-crazy.org.