Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in our four guiding concepts: mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity. 

The 4-H sewing project fosters mastery by learning to operate a sewing machine or serger, sew a straight seam and smooth curves, and construct casings; belonging by being part of a group; independence by learning skills that can be used throughout life; and generosity by sharing sewn items with others and helping others learn.

This year we had 4-H volunteers and homemakers ask if they could help youth learn how to sew. We set up a sewing day camp and had 16 youth and 8 volunteers to participate. This group of volunteers helped guide 100% of the youth to complete their first sewing project. They were able to use their creativity to choose their own fabric. Volunteers helped them to coordinate thread. They used a pattern to cut their fabric. They used a template to practice sewing straight and smooth curved seams, how to press seams, and how to construct casings. 

They were able to do this project as a large group and help each other along the way. They were able to support each other and guide each other through the process. Then, they were able to celebrate one another's successes with a completed project.

We hope that this is not their last sewing project. We hope this fosters relationships with youth/adult partnerships and that they begin another project soon. We hope that they will be using the sewing skills that they are learning throughout their lives.