The Russell County 4-H program has collaborated with the University of Kentucky Master Volunteer for Clothing program for over seven years to offer hand and machine sewing opportunities to young people across the county.  In 2018, Russell County had two 4-H volunteers graduate from the Master Volunteer for Clothing program through the University of Kentucky. Since 2016, these volunteers have taught several tweens and teens these basic life skills.  In the summer of 2024, the MVC’s offered several sewing day camps to beginner and intermediate sewists.  Learning to sew produces a sense of confidence and accomplishment in youth as they learn new skills and complete projects. It also gives them the opportunity to understand textiles, construction techniques, and design principles (National 4-H). As youth are learning new skills, they also learn that mistakes are fixable, that perseverance is important, and develop confidence in their abilities.  The beginner classes over the last two summers learned to sew straight and curved edges as well as learned about fabric selection; throughout the experience they constructed a pillowcase.  

The intermediate classes this year learned about garment construction and made pajama shorts; they advanced their skills on the standard sewing machine, but also learn to sew seams on a serger.

One youth from the 2023 beginner sewing class entered made additional pillowcases for family and friends; she entered a set of pillowcases in the 2024 Kentucky State Fair and earned a class champion in 4-H Home Environment sewn item for the home.  Additionally she made pillowcases for friends and family at Christmas.  Several of the other sewists that went through the program now use their skills to create and alter costumes for our local theater productions.

In addition to teaching sewing to young people, these MVC’s also offer adult sewing classes on a two-year rotation; the adults follow the same program as the 4-H youth.  These certified volunteers also take an active role on the state level MVC program and serve on steering committees with Jeanne Badgett.  In 2023, they finished a written curriculum which they shared at the 2022 Kentucky 4-H Positive Youth Development Conference in in Lexington.  Their dedication to the local and state sewing program has provided invaluable learning experiences for many youth in Russell County and across the state of Kentucky with their developed curriculum.