Success StorySew Fun, Sew 4-H!



Sew Fun, Sew 4-H!

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.






Stories by Mary S Averbeck


Kentucky Volunteer Forum 2022

about 2 years ago by Mary S Averbeck

Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks... Read More


Educating and Empowering Animal Science Volunteer Leaders

about 2 years ago by Mary S Averbeck

The goal of Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development is to provide in-depth, accurate educational... Read More


Stories by Kenton County CES


Embryology in the Classroom Hatching Classroom Projects

Embryology in the Classroom Hatching Classroom Projects

about 1 years ago by Diane Kelley

2022 Embryology in the Classroom Hatching Classroom ProjectsIncubating and hatching chicken eggs in ... Read More


Improving Health....Priceless

Improving Health....Priceless

about 1 years ago by Angela Baldauff

In the spring of 2021, the Family Support Supervisor for Every Child Succeeds (ECS), a program provi... Read More


Stories by Family and Consumer Science


Babysitting Made Easy

Babysitting Made Easy

about 1 years ago by Ari Veach

Babysitting made easy for all! What an amazing two days we had at the extension office with Babysitt... Read More


Cloverbud Sewing Camp

Cloverbud Sewing Camp

about 1 years ago by Presley Grubb

The Greenup County Extension Office saw the opportunity to engage cloverbud youth in the county 4-H ... Read More