Sew Sister: The Untold Story of Jean Wright and NASA’s Seamstresses

As young children, Jean Wright and her sister Joan create lasting memories with their neighbor, a kind woman who graciously teaches the girls the artisanship of sewing. Jean develops an insatiable appetite for it; sewing becomes her love and refuge. At the age of thirteen, she witnesses, along with the rest of the world, the first moon landing. Space intrigues her, and when she discovers there’s a team of women who sew thick, intricately-designed blankets that cover the exterior of NASA shuttles, she sends in her resume. After much persistence, she’s honored with becoming one of the eighteen Sew Sisters.

This is a fascinating book that’s full of interesting tidbits about the carefully crafted panels that cover rockets launched by NASA. Their design is unique, and the artisans who make them, gifted. Jean’s determination to become a part of the team was relentless, and it paid off in the end. This example is a positive one for youth to emulate, even in the smallest of ways. Those who favor science, and specifically texts relating to space exploration, will find this non-fiction pick captivating and inspiring. It’ll also appeal to young ones who enjoy sewing and other similar hobbies.