Describe the Issue or Situation.

Magoffin County Schools has eliminated the sewing classes in our local high school. As a result, there are no opportunities for young people in the county to learn the skills needed to sew their own clothing or home decor items.  There is always interest by young people and adults to learn these important life skills. 

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

The Beginners' Sewing class for youth 4th-6th grades was planned to meet four times for 2 hours each.  By meeting 8 hours, it qualifies the participants to be entered into 4-H online as a group entry.  A limit of 6 participants was announced in the FCS newsletter and on social media.  This would provide a workable number to be taught the skills that they needed to learn, such as using a sewing machine, cutting fabric, measuring, pinning, etc. 

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

Five young ladies enrolled and are participating in the Beginners' Sewing class. The 4-H Sewing curriculum is being used, and their projects follow the guidelines that will make them eligible to  enter into the Kentucky State Fair. They are making a laundry bag to begin with and were allowed to choose another project from the beginners' curriculum, if they finish their bags quickly enough. The class was taught with the assistance of volunteers from the two quilt guilds that meet in our office regularly.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

One hundred percent of the participants completed their projects and four of the five intend to enter their projects into the competition for Beginners' Sewing at the Kentucky State Fair.  All five young ladies received a sewing kit that they would have to take home.  Each of them could name and identify the parts of the sewing machine, thread the machine, wind a bobbin, use a Serger sewing machine, measure, using a tape measure and a seam guage,  measure and cut fabric, and identify all of the sewing tools that they need to sew. They are already asking to have another sewing class in the future, in order to further their skills and knowledge of fabrics and sewing.