Material bought for the Sisters’ habits at CSMV has been put to a new use – Medical Scrub sets.

Anna Bradford has been working with the Community for over 15 years, sewing bespoke habits for the Sisters. She also works on their “finery”, caps and veils. Each is a made-to-measure item and Anna says she loves working with each Sister on their garments.

As the UK went into lockdown, Sister Lorna, who oversees the haberdashery at St Mary’s Convent, suggested Anna take home with her a roll of polycotton, a lightweight material that is usually used for the Sister’s hot weather habits.

“I’ve always loved sewing, and hate being idle,” says Anna. “I found a pattern online for medical scrubs and set to work.” The blue habit material was made up into three full sets of medical scrubs and ten pairs of scrub trousers, which were donated to the GP surgery in nearby Lambourn. She has gone on to produce more scrubs for a ‘Scrub Hub’ serving the NHS frontline workers in Swindon.

“Now I’m working on masks as well,” says Anna. “It’s nice to feel like you are making a contribution.”

Some of the masks have returned to Wantage. Sister Lorna has passed a number onto Sister Trudy who is currently in the local Nursing Home. Trudy is now able to spend time in the home’s garden and is grateful for the protection the mask offers as she moves around.

We wonder if the staff at the Lambourn surgery know that they are wearing scrubs made with material originally bought for religious sisters’ habits?