Studies indicate that sewing is not only a productive hobby and life skill, it can reduce stress and increase an individual’s feeling of self-worth. The Jefferson County 4-H Agent served as the Cooperative Extension Service’s Louisville Area Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV) Contact Agent. The Shelby County FCS and Jefferson County 4-H Agent coordinated the Louisville Area Master Clothing Volunteers (MCVs) statewide training attendance and assisted at the statewide MCV Training, organized a Louisville Area MCV Community Projects Sewing Day, provided MCV program updates and helped market the program.

 Sharing their sewing skills with others is important to the twenty two area MCVs. Each one served as a teacher and leader in her county in the area of sewing. During the past year the MCVs have led over 150 sewing programs, including 4-H sewing project days, Sewing Series, monthly Sewing Circles, “Come Sew with Us” events for beginning sewers, neighborhood sewing groups, mending events, sewing club and mission sewing groups.

 The 12 MCVs reported making over 4500 contacts this year and sewing over 250 community service items. They also reported volunteering 2,586 hours in teaching, preparation, continuing education, leadership, and community service. Based on the value of volunteer time ($26.85/hr), this is a contribution worth $69,434.10 to their communities. Some sewing students and some MCVs have used their sewing skills to make additional money for their families. The MCVs taught sewing to nearly 400     4-Hers and other youth who used their new sewing skills to complete 4-H sewing project garments or other sewing items. The 4-Hers and other youth were proud of their newly developed sewing skills that will last a lifetime.