AT 17 years old Jessy Bloomfield has her heart in the right place.
The Alexandra Hills TAFE student has used her sewing skills to make cuddle hearts for mothers and babies at the Mater Mothers’ neonatal critical care unit.
Jessy responded to an appeal from the hospital for crafty people to make the flannelette material hearts in sets of three – for mum, baby and a spare.
Having learned to sew from her grandmother, a seamstress, Jessy started her own business making fashion collars in October last year.
News of her talent first spread by word of mouth, but she has since started an online store and promoted her business through social media.
“I wanted to contribute to charity,” she said, adding that initially she donated a percentage of her earnings.
The hospital appeal meant she could use her sewing skills to assist mothers of premature babies as the hearts are used to help build a connection between mothers and babies who cannot have skin-to-skin contact.
Jessy said she bought material and delivered 81 hearts to the hospital.
Her long-term career plans are to work in child care and then become a child psychologist, but in the meantime she continues to make the unique collars.
“I started with simple ones, but have added items like chains and spikes.
“I usually see something and get inspired,” Jessy said.
Her customers have applauded her attention to detail and efforts to ensure her products are durable.
She said most online customers were from overseas, including the United Kingdom, Finland, Belgium and the United States.
