ALA-BAG-A Purses and Totes
Just three years ago, Doris Thomas had never threaded a needle, much less a sewing machine. Now she turns out top quality denim totebags that feature a one-of-a-kind design and help support her family, who live in rural Lowndes County.
Doris was volunteering at the Good Shepherd Catholic Center in Mosses, when then director Sister Ann Chaput, B.V.M., offered her the opportunity to participate in a handicraft project designed to help women living in poverty.
The original and unique ALa-Bag-A was designed by Sr. Ann Chaput, a long-time sewing and crafts woman. "Sewing has been an important part of the story of African-American life in the South," Sister Ann said. “We wanted to develop a cottage industry to help women in poverty, and thought that using fabric and thread was the way to go.” Each bag is numbered and signed by the seamstress.
Ala-Bag-A is a completely reversible shoulder bag, sewn from denim accented with a colorful African-themed print on one side with the print as the major feature on the reverse. Specialty bags for university teams are also available. This college themed bag is just the right size for toting a university essential: a laptop.
Sr. Rosemary Fonck, O.S.F., is the present director of the Center, a ministry of the Selma-based Edmundite Missions. To order a handcrafted bag and support the women who sew them, you can also visit www.alabaga.net.
