The "Bag Ladies" Project, Canadian Embroiderers’ Guild, London
In our community, it is common for women to go home after a mastectomy with Hemovac™ drains in place. Members of the Canadian Embroiderers’ Guild developed a bag that can be threaded on a belt or worn on a shoulder strap to contain the tubing and to hide the drainage bag.
Simplicity of construction and economy of materials are key considerations in the design. We have gone through a number of designs that have become simpler and simpler; we have aimed for a simple, functional product that can be recycled or thrown away.
The bag is constructed from a fabric rectangle that is edge-finished (serging is preferable to zig-zagging), hemmed on both ends, folded, then sewn to create a pocket. We have obtained fabric at no cost from local commercial drapery makers, one of which also cut the fabric with a "saw", and from a hospital uniform maker.
While fabric the weight of medium weight denim does not deform as badly and thus is better at disguising the contents, medium weight "sheeting" is also workable. We recommend having 1/4" Plexiglas templates (8 1/2" X 36") constructed to facilitate the cutting process.
Since the edge finishing will be visible, serger thread should match or blend with the color of the fabric and thread tensions should be adjusted for best appearance. We have produced the bags using as assembly line method and also by distributing 10-15 edge-finished rectangles to individual seamstresses.
In London, bags are supplied to three hospitals where they are distributed by nurses in pre-admissions, in the recovery room, or on the surgical ward. Last year, we supplied approximately 300 bags.
Each of the bags contains a slip indicating the source (CEG) and a name and telephone number for feedback. We have had only positive feedback and have had some donations that have covered the costs of photocopying of instructions and serger thread. We are pleased to be able to offer other women constructive support at a difficult time in their lives.
printable instructions
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