Malia Riggs
Elmore/Autauga News
A group of ladybugs is referred to as loveliness, and loveliness is spread to the community through two sewing ministries here in Prattville. The Sister Ladybugs at St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Ladybug Quilters out of Christ Lutheran Church both work closely together and use their needles for incredible things.
The Sister Ladybugs is a spinoff of the Christ Lutheran Church Ladybug Quilters; however the Sister Ladybugs is run by Stacy Kotila, who has her hands heavily in both organizations.
“The Sister Ladybugs do anything and everything. We have made over 408 pillowcases for foster kids, we’ve donated to Heart Gallery Alabama, Adullum House, and Brantwood Children’s Home. We reach out to anyone,” Kotila said. “We have done 112 adult bibs for the elderly, some of those have gone to nursing homes or some of them have gone to our homebound people from our church, but we never limit any of our projects. If there is someone in need of anything we make, we’ll give it to them.”
The Ladybug Quilters are a bit more traditional in the sense that they mainly stick to making quilts and gift them to cancer and dialysis patients as well as anyone in medical need. They also crochet baby blankets for the Sister Ladybugs to distribute, which goes to show just how closely these groups work together.
“I step in and help when they ask me to. We work closely and we share fabric and ideas,” Kotila said.
Each group has members from their respective churches as well as individuals outside of the church participating in the organizations.
Kotila started the Sister Ladybugs in April of 2022, and the group meets on Tuesdays at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prattville. The group is not limited to just sewing. In the Sister Ladybugs there are crocheters, knitters as well as people that can sew.
“We are not afraid of beginners, as long as you have a sewing machine, know how to turn it on and know how to thread it, and can sew a straight stitch. We will teach you everything else from there. We are not afraid of beginners, we just ask you take that beginning step,” Kotila said.
The group makes anything from blankets and hats for babies, and the elderly or individuals who are homebound to Christmas stockings. They are currently collecting Christmas fabric to make 100 stockings for 2024. The group decides on the projects they take on internally, being discussed between the group members.
“I think the ladies like the variety of the projects. We’ve all learned something different, and I would have never tried some of the things I’m doing now if I had not had the encouragement or the ladies to show me,” Kotila said.
Another organization that both groups donate to is Mary’s Haven in Prattville. This is a pregnancy and family resource center where both groups donate blankets, hats, and other items for families in need.
And yet another project that the Sister Ladybugs have taken on is making Angel Gowns. These are gowns made out of wedding dresses for stillborn babies. These handmade gowns go to bereaved families for some of the last moments with their sleeping little one. It is something uniquely their own and made with love.
Both Ladybug groups strictly run off of donations, and Kotila has offered to even pick up fabric and other sewing gear herself for either Ladybug groups. She can be reached at sisterbugs22@gmail.com
The St. Joseph Catholic Church can accept in person donations if the donations are in a bag or box marked for the sewing ministry, Monday- Thursday 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The Ladybug Quilters can accept donations set up through a phone call to the Lutheran Church at (334) 285-746. They also have a Facebook page at Chronicles of Christ Lutheran Ladybugs.
The St Joseph Sister Ladybugs also have a Facebook page, you must answer a couple questions to join. Sister Ladybugs of St. Joseph Catholic Church
The Sister Ladybugs also have an Amazon and Walmart wish list where both groups share fabric, which can be found here:
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2Y6206BFSVSL9?ref_=wl_share
Walmart – https://www.walmart.com/registry/ER/32f13944-32eb-40db-8288-4c7e71428bd4
