Debbie Colgrove
A few years ago, I discovered that sewing and textiles entries were very slim in the county fair. I grew up in a time where it seemed like everyone was sewing, so only seeing a few entries in the county fair caught me by surprise and sent me into action.
I knew that my local schools no longer offered sewing machine experience. Sewing to me is a stress relief, a creative outlet, has seen me through times where I had few financial resources to cloth my children and so much more. I knew sewing is a huge part of my life and many others. So what could I do? I'd been witting about sewing for years but I wasn't doing anything in my local area.... and wanted to see a change!
I called the local County Cooperative Extension, offering to help expand sewing skills close to home. The idea was greeted with a great idea. The County Educator was aware of how sewing had declined and was contemplating a once a month Charity Sewing Night, where any of the 4H members throughout the county could participate. They would become acclimated with sewing machines and learn basic sewing skills while at the same time helping create items that were needed by various organizations in the area.
The group has been active for a few years now and has made a dent in local needs. They have sewn a wash cloth charity kit for Women's shelters, tote bags for dialysis patients, wheelchair/walker tote bags for nursing homes and so much more. With the help of a grant from a local bank, Amazing Threads has supplied wonderful educational experiences and machines, as well as help us with repairing machines that had been with the organization for years. Never forget your local sewing machine dealers as a valuable source of assistance when teaching children to sew!
Not all of the sewing was perfect but we had sparked an interest in sewing that I couldn't let go of!
Many people who visit this site, remember participation in 4H Dress Review every year. It had been almost 40 years since I had hit the run ways with one of my creations but I remember the experience very well. Today they have new names for Dress Review, such as Fashion Review and Fashions on Parade. This event was also lacking participation so with the help of Martha Pullen's, Sew Kool 4 Kids book, we created a workshop for any county 4H member who was interested in creating garments to model. The turn out was wonderful and a hectic few days produced a dozen 4-Her's who were anxious to hit the runway. This year I also help the neighboring county with a workshop and well over thirty 4H members will be participating in modeling their creations at Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts Super Store, Northway Mall, 1440 Central Avenue, Albany NY on May 15 2004 from 11AM and 12:30 PM. If you are in the area be sure to stop in! Find directions here. This super store, as well as other Jo-Ann stores offer many classes and special events.
This year, my own daughter is in her second year of sewing and has created an outfit using Simplicity's Lizzie McGuire Patterns (5396 & 5322) and the free scrunchie instructions on this site.
She ventured on to my embroidery machine. With a little computer help, she edited the free embroidery down load from Sew News and has about 15 hours of embroidery in her outfit. This was her first experience with a zipper, buttonhole and a hook and eye. She will be modeling at Jo-Ann's in Albany on May 15th.
There is NOTHING that can compare to the pride that a child experiences who is proud of their accomplishments.
I MUST encourage anyone who sews, beginner and experienced, to contact their local children groups to see if there is a way they can help to encourage children to sew and help spread a life skill that is needed by everyone at sometime in their life! Watching children have pride in what they have created is an unbelievable experience that I wish everyone could have!
Find Organizations: |
Would you like to be kept informed of the newest additions at About Sewing? Sign up to receive the free About Sewing Newsletter.
