Sewing is a heritage skill that has been taught for generations. Sewing can help improve focus, increase hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Sewing can also become a life long hobby as well as an important skill for taking care of one’s personal wardrobe.

McCreary County 4H in collaboration with the McCreary County Homemakers worked to provide a summer sewing day camp to the youth in McCreary County. 4H-ers were given the opportunity to learn to sew and complete a variety of sewing projects. Projects completed were a drawstring backpack or laundry bags, pillowcases, and quilting squares. Youth learned the basics of using a sewing machine, how to thread a sewing machine, as well as basic troubleshooting. Youth also learned how to follow directions for sewing projects and basic sewing terminology.

The McCreary County Homemakers stated they enjoyed the opportunity to work with the youth and teach a new skill. They also stated they felt the program did a good job of fostering intergenerational connection between the homemakers and the 4-Hers. The youth stated they enjoyed getting the hands-on instruction and getting to create a variety of projects. One youth even said that she was going to continue to make quilt squares so that she could make her own quilt.