COEUR d'ALENE - The Bag and Boob Babes Too group is making an impact on breast cancer patients in the Coeur d'Alene area with a sewing day.

The group, founded in Mesa, Ariz., formed a chapter in North Idaho this summer.

Coeur d'Alene resident Sheila Wayman, who spends her winters in Mesa, brought the group to the area. BBBT members sew, knit and quilt items to donate to women struggling with breast cancer.

The group makes pillows, drape aprons and bags that are used during recovery after a woman undergoes a mastectomy.

BBBT also works with another project called the Knitted Knockers. The Knockers are knitted prosthetic breasts. The prosthetic breasts come in all sizes and themselves are size-adjustable. The prosthetic knit material is soft but firm, and even include some physical features of a real breast.

Several women met at the Mica Grange Monday to produce as many of the products as possible.

"I said, 'well I am going to be gone but I want it to still go on through the winter months,'" Wayman said. "So I wanted to get a supply going to meet the needs of breast cancer patients."

Bonnie Mitson of Post Falls, a member of the Mica Grange and the North Idaho Quilters Guild, offered the grange location for the sewing day Monday.

She said her sister went through cancer treatment and told her how lonely it made her feel.

"She said 'I am doing this myself, on my own,'" Mitson said. "We do this so they know someone cares. My sister didn't have that."

Judy Lippman, from the American Cancer Society of Spokane, spoke to the group Monday to let the members know how much the ACS appreciates the items. She said the patients really love the products and it's making a difference in patients' lives.

Wayman said helping patients in their darkest moments is what Bag and Boob Babes is all about.

"This is traumatic time for a woman undergoing cancer treatments," Wayman said. "If we can make this time any less traumatic, that's all we want to do."

Katy Alderink of Coeur d'Alene was at the sew day Monday, offering her skills for the cause. She said she has been sewing since she was in seventh grade but never knew sewing would lead her to helping strangers in such an amazing way.

Wayman said she is glad to be using her knowledge to reach out and help the community. She said she has no connection to breast cancer - she hasn't had it and doesn't know anyone who is struggling with it.

"I just saw there was a need and wanted my life to have purpose," Wayman said. "So that's what I did."

Wayman currently funds the group's endeavours; she covers the costs of materials and other expenses. She said some materials have been donated but she hopes to find donors to help with future production.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Sheila at bagandboobbabestoo@gmail.com.