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 Shelby County Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent and Jefferson County 4-H Agent served as the Cooperative Extension Service’s Louisville Area Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV) Contact and Assistant Contact Agents. The FCS 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 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 197 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 twenty MCVs reported making 5,747 contacts this year and sewing 896 community service items. They also reported volunteering 2,776 hours in teaching, preparation, continuing education, leadership, and community service. Based on the value of volunteer time ($21.36/hr), this is a contribution worth $59,295.36 to their communities. Some sewing students and some MCVs have used their sewing skills to make additional money for their families. Two of the Louisville Area MCVs taught at the state-wide MCV Training and/or Sewing Expo. Several MCVs chaired, participated in and/or judged Spring Fashion Shows and 4-H Style Revues and fairs. The MCVs taught sewing to over 200 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. 

The Louisville Area MCV leadership has grown immensely since the first state-wide graduating class of 1990. We have twenty-two very active MCVs who have gained statewide recognition. Five have achieved emeritus status. One MCV received a TEAM Award at the State 4-H Volunteer Forum. She also received a Community Service Award for the “4-H Sewing Stars” designing and sewing unique, colorful hospital gowns for teens in a cancer unit. Some of the gowns were displayed at the Frazier History Museum as part of a Norton Hospital exhibit.