Solidarity Sewing Workshop Crafts Hundreds of Heartfelt Mastectomy Pillows
Sitting at Jocelyne Vuillemey’s table in Valencia on Thursday morning, Dinh Montané and Erika Pigot got to work on heart-shaped pillows for mastectomy patients. It was the second annual “Solidarity Sewing Workshop,” and they aimed to finish between 250 and 300 pillows by day’s end.
The pillow’s design came from Janet Kramer-Mai, a breast-cancer specialist in Tennessee who had a mastectomy in 2002. She wanted to make something comfortable for patients to tuck under their arms after surgery.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so the Santa Clarita women saw this as the perfect time to contribute in a hands-on, heartfelt way. Since the pillows are both physically and emotionally sensitive, they measured the polyester fiber with care—about 6 ounces, or 170 grams, per pillow.
One 5-pound box fills 13 pillows. To hit their goal of 300 pillows, they needed around 23 pounds of fiber.
The trio met through a French-speaking Facebook group and felt inspired to help Pigot, who’d just moved to Santa Clarita in May 2024. “I met these ladies through a Facebook group called Café Françoise (French Cafe). We meet every Wednesday for coffee, speak French, and keep up with the culture,” Montané said. “I’m a breast cancer survivor. It’s nice to give back.”
“The idea came from an American doctor, and [Erika] learned about it through another French lady in Senegal. This is the sixth year that she’s done it,” Montané added.
Pigot, who spent five years in Senegal, started sewing more seriously when COVID-19 hit. “Last year, I knew five people, and we made 150 hearts. This year, we said, ‘Let’s make it a challenge.’ When I was in Senegal, we made 500 masks in one month because they needed it right away,” Pigot said.
“When the women have surgery, there’s an incision on the side. So it’s a lot of pressure, and it’s painful,” she explained.
Vuillemey also picked up sewing during the pandemic, teaching herself as she went. She made 250 masks for a Native American reservation in Arizona. “I didn’t have a background in sewing. We’re planning to make 300 pillows because the center here does about 300 mastectomies per year,” Vuillemey said.
“Erika and I mostly bought the fabric, and we started cutting out the pattern at the beginning of the month,” she added.
They plan to donate the pillows to Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. Down the road, they hope to expand and give to other local centers too.
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Heart-Shaped Pillows for Mastectomy Patients: A Symbol of Solidarity
In the heart of Valencia, a group of women gathers with one big mission: making heart-shaped pillows to bring comfort to mastectomy patients. This Solidarity Sewing Workshop, now in its second year, already feels like it’s making a real dent.
The Origin of the Heart-Shaped Pillow
Janet Kramer-Mai, a breast-cancer specialist from Tennessee, created the original pillow design. After her own mastectomy in 2002, she realized how much a simple pillow could help with the discomfort that comes after surgery.
Her design aims to fit snugly under the arm, easing pain and pressure for patients.
A Community Effort
October—Breast Cancer Awareness Month—sets the stage for this project. The women of Santa Clarita, led by Dinh Montané, Erika Pigot, and Jocelyne Vuillemey, want to make a difference, aiming to finish up to 300 pillows in just one day.
Meticulous Craftsmanship
Each pillow takes about 6 ounces (170 grams) of polyester fiber. To reach their goal, they’ll need 23 pounds of fiber in total.
They pay close attention to every detail, knowing how much these pillows mean to their recipients.
From Senegal to Santa Clarita
The trio met thanks to a French-speaking Facebook group called Café Françoise. They get together weekly for coffee and conversation, and it’s become the foundation for their teamwork.
Erika Pigot, who moved to Santa Clarita in May 2024, brought experience from Senegal, where she lived for five years.
Sewing Through the Pandemic
Pigot’s love of sewing grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Senegal, she led a group that made 500 masks in a month to meet urgent needs.
That experience now shapes how she organizes the Solidarity Sewing Workshop.
Self-Taught and Determined
Jocelyne Vuillemey started sewing during the pandemic too. She didn’t have a sewing background but still made 250 masks for a Native American reservation in Arizona.
Her determination and commitment show in every pillow she helps create.
Future Aspirations
They’ll donate these pillows to the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. But honestly, they’re already dreaming bigger—maybe next year, more centers, more hands, and more hearts.
Join the Cause
The Solidarity Sewing Workshop isn’t just another sewing project. It’s a testament to what community and compassion can actually do when people decide to show up for each other.
These women come together and make a real, hands-on difference for mastectomy patients. Maybe you’re feeling inspired by their story—why not join their efforts or even start something similar where you live?
Curious for more details? You can check out the full story in the original article.