Author: Mary S Averbeck
Planning Unit: Kenton County CES
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Plan of Work: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Opportunities for sewing instruction for youth are limited. Sewing is not offered widely in schools and retail sewing centers charge $15-$20 an hour for sewing instruction. Requests from the public for sewing instruction led to post pandemic sewing for youth. Over 100 hours of instruction were offered in safe physically distanced environment. Instead of clothing construction (which requires close contact,) many other projects were offered. Kenton County 4-H sewing project members not only learn sewing skills, but also learned important life skills such as setting goals, taking responsibility, and completing tasks. To date, over one hundred boys and girls have participated in various 4-H sewing projects. All classes were led by volunteers and extension personnel. Participants made tote bags, placemats, pillows, quilts, wall hangings. Each session introduced youth to new sewing skills. Written evaluations were completed, as well as verbal interviews with youth as they completed their projects. They expressed satisfaction at learning new skills and completing a project. Success leads to an increase in self-esteem. One youth summed up the experience this way “now I know how great it feels to say, ‘I made this!’” Youth indicated that they had used their new skills and made other sewing projects on their own including doll clothes, beanbags, purses, pillowcases. Some indicated that they had taught others how to sew or made gifts for others using their new sewing skills.
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