Teaching sewing to young people will not only teach them lifelong valuable and practical skills, but it may also open the door to a world of creativity. 

“Showing your children to sew has many benefits. The activity can spark imagination and creativity, teach patience, build self-confidence, foster communication and direction-following abilities, and enhance fine motor skills.  (www.goldstartool.com)  

Hancock County 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences, a Master Clothing Volunteer, and Homemakers partnered together to offer a series of sewing workshops. The 4-H members completed 3 projects: a laundry bag, a pair of pajama pants and a quilted wall-hanging. Members learned to thread the sewing machine, cut fabric, pivot on corners, make an elastic waistband and casing, measuring techniques, pressing seams, winding a bobbin, and seam finishes. The laundry bag and pajama pants required precise measurements, accurate cutting techniques, and concentration while the quilted wall-hanging allowed them to be creative and pick their own colors and designs.

Six youth spent 15 hours working on their projects. They each worked at their own pace and showcased their creativity and dedication by completing the 3 projects. A survey indicated:

-100% could express their creativity through their projects

-100% developed the skill and confidence to thread the machine

-100% developed the skill and confidence to wind a bobbin

-100% developed the skill to sew straight stitches, sew curves and turn corners

-100% can measure and press seams.

These skills are invaluable and will last a lifetime.  Also, once they feel this sense of accomplishment, it will have an impact on their self-confidence and increase their desire to learn other skills.