Renee Sopko, Seamstress

04/27/2020

04/27/2020

With tremendous gratitude, I feel that now is the right time to bring the Free Mask-Making Initiative to a close. I will no longer be accepting any new mask requests so that I can necessarily turn my attention back to my sewing/mending/alterations business. I'm now available for 1-on-1 sewing drop-off appointments (wearing masks, of course!)

This mask-making initiative began 5 weeks ago on March 20. Since that date, I've all collaborated with my amazing team of volunteers to make over 10,000 masks!

Whew! Wow!

The good news is that now — in contrast to when we began — masks are widely available from many sources. Here's one example: https://people.com/health/etsy-face-masks-coronavirus/

This has been a tremendous and memorable run. Working together with this generous crew of souls has been one of my favorite parts of this whole experience. I've been overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for their dedication and their incredible readiness to help our fellow humans.

And deep appreciation to the many donors who kindly and warmly opened their purse strings during this tender time in order to support us in buying fabric, supplies, and postage so we could help and hopefully save a life or two.

Kindness is such a welcome and heart-soothing balm during times like these, and I stand in awe of everyone who helped out. Big love to all!

Etsy sellers are making hundreds of reusable face masks after the CDC recommended Americans should wear a face covering to help slow the coronavirus outbreak

04/08/2020

Rick's grandbabies are properly outfitted!

www.reneesopkoseamstress.com/covid-masks

04/04/2020

https://youtu.be/iolYXUIHI3w

04/04/2020

Thank you for sharing this and getting the word out to support our Free Masks operation, Brett!!! 💜🥰👏

04/04/2020

I can't believe how grateful I am for the amazing work that my Free-Mask-Making Helper-Team is doing! Go, Hunterdon humans helping humans!!

About 20 of us have worked together to make 1507 masks over the last couple of weeks! Today, we got 222 new requests and we now have about 1200 more to make in order to fulfill existing requests.

*We expect more requests to flood in after today's announcement from the CDC that all Americans should now be wearing masks in public.

If you would like to help out in ANY way, please reach out to me. Here's what we need now:

•Monies for purchasing fabric and supplies
•Volunteers to wash, iron, and cut fabric, sew, pleat, and more. (The great news is that you can work on these tasks from home!)

>> TO VOLUNTEER OR DONATE, go here:
www.reneesopkoseamstress.com/covid-masks

The other thing I'd appreciate help with is sharing this link with your friends and family.

And if you need any free masks for yourself, friends or family, the MASK REQUEST FORM is at the bottom of that page link. Please share.

And if you have any 100% cotton or 100% cotton flannel fabric you can donate, we can sure use it!

Heartfelt gratitude to my team!! Consider joining us!!
Annie Grenier, Bob Collaro, Brett Curry, Claire O'Connor, Deb Croasdale, Jean Collaro, Karen Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Michelle Masucci, Millie Seow, Rick Sasso, Ryan Johnson, Shannon Croasdale, Stephen Grenier, Sylvia Donaldson, Val Osuch, and Victor Holmlund!!

04/01/2020

Hello all! I'm so proud and humbled by this coverage by NJ.com of my latest passion –>> donating my time and skills sewing COVID-19 protective masks for folks. LOTS of 'em! I've made about 2200 so far! Phew!

Please take a moment to click this link and check out this video they made of me sewing— and make a donation if you're able. Even $5 or $10 adds up to help me buy fabric and supplies.

—>> And please do share this link with friends and family all over!

http://www.reneesopkoseamstress.com/covid-masks.html

Also a shout-out to Annie Grenier and her hubby Steven for suggesting this idea! Folks everywhere have been so incredibly helpful and generous — from donating materials and monies, to washing, cutting, and ironing fabric.

As I'm sewing, I keep thinking to myself: "Keep sewin' Renee! One more mask will save one more person... actually, probably _more_ than one person..."

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much!! Humans helping humans and we will get through this! Love to all!

11/21/2019

One of my favorite things about my job is when I get to be creative with my work! Recently, I was asked to design and make a one-of-a-kind Christening gown for my niece and I could not have been more excited.

Here's a few words from my sister-in-law about the dress:

"Renee took my vision beyond what I ever could have imagined...she pulled together 4 totally different dresses to make my daughter's own beautiful gown. This meant so much to me as we were able to use the wedding gowns of all these special women in my daughter's life. Thank you Renee!!"

You are very welcome Sara, I am so thankful I was able to be a part of this special moment!

Renee Sopko

10/15/2019

It makes my heart smile when I receive messages like this from my clients:

"I have never felt more beautiful and confident ever in my life then I did on Sunday. It was the best day of my entire life and I cannot thank you enough for being a part of it and creating my vision for my dress. I received so many compliments!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!"

Thank you Ashley Gallagher for such kind words. I wish you and your husband a lifetime full of peace, love, and happiness!

Renee Sopko

07/20/2019

As a seamstress I find this video very exciting.

On this 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s launch, NBC’s Harry Smith introduces Lillie Elliot, Jo Thompson and Ruth Ratledge, some of the women who hand-crafted the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore on the moon. The suit did its job, and decades later, the Smithsonian is working to preserve it.

04/13/2019

Here are just a few of the prom dresses I altered this season.

02/15/2019

I love hearing from my clients. Two wedding dresses in one heirloom baptism gown.

“Hi Renee Thank you so much for Elena’s Beautiful baptism dress. Everyone asked about it and I couldn’t talk any higher of you and how beautiful it was. I have attached the wedding photos as well as Elena in her dress thank you again Heidi