Sewing for Hilltop Part 1

Hilltop Coffee House and Family Center - Photo Courtesy of David Lea

Last month I made a few items to bring down to my family in the Caribbean.  Today I am going to share one of those projects - embroidered shirts for the Hilltop Coffee House and Family Center as well as a little background on the business.

David and Clover Lea (my mother and father in law) - Photo Courtesy of David Lea

The Hilltop Family Center and Coffee House (or just Hilltop for short) is a non profit started by my in-laws and located on the lovely island of Montserrat.  The mission statement for the Hilltop really explains the purpose for starting such a place stating:

"We feel there is a real need for a place for our young and young-ish people to come to socialize and have fun, yet also be inspired and encouraged, an alternative place where they can see positive films and hear and play positive music, both live and otherwise. Only healthy local fruits, snacks and drinks will be served, along with popcorn on movie nights." - Pulled Directly from the Hilltop Facebook page

The inside of Hilltop is amazing.  There is history all over the walls from the music to volcano as well as a wall dedicated to the artwork of local artisans.  You can have a cappuccino or latte, eat delicious homemade food, or snack on freshly made ice cream.  Not only is it a place to eat, drink and socialize but it is also a space for fun and work.  There is darts, a ping-table, games, etc and free WiFi is available to all. 

And now onto those shirts.  A few months back my Father-in-Law David was visiting us from the Caribbean and wanted to get some shirts embroidered with the word Hilltop on them.  He didn't want anything fancy just the name.  I discussed some options with him and then suggested that I might be able to do what he was looking for on my machine.  I couldn't promise it would work, but I can do it for free and get it done before he left to go back home.  I tried the first shirt which puckered and didn't look great, but figured out I only needed interfacing on both sides of the shirt (due to the stretchiness of knits) and the second one came out beautifully.

Fast forward a few months and I get a call from David asking me if I could possibly make a few more shirts to bring down with me when I came to visit.  Upon arrival i learned that he loves the shirts so much that he won't let anyone else wash them but himself and he hand washes them everytime to make sure they last as long as possible.

Personally when I hear things like that it makes me want to make more things for my family because I know how much they treasure and appreciate them. 

I hope you enjoyed hearing a little but about the Hilltop.  If you would like to learn more about the Hilltop or my in-law's guest houses visit the Hilltop Facebook page, Gingerbread Hill Guest House Site, Bunkum Bay Beach House Site or my Brother and Sister in Law's Blog - Lea Tribe. 

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Elise