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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryBeginner Sewing Classes Bring Joy...and Income To Participants



Beginner Sewing Classes Bring Joy...and Income To Participants

Author: Dayna Fentress

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Apparel and Textiles (Non-Master Clothing Volunteer)

Plan of Work: Developing Skills and Confidence through Financial and Consumer Education

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

An increase in "grandma" ways inspired the Family and Consumer Science Agent to take the skills that she had learned through her own personal sewing journey and through the sewing camp offered by FCS and put them to use. Beginner Sewing classes began being offered on a monthly basis in 2024 and 2025. Simple projects that can get the participant comfortable with the machine, smart in their fabric decisions, and confident in their ability has allowed many participants to continue to learn new skills and produce more advanced projects. 

Projects like table runners, quilted bags, aprons, appliqued items, and more have been taught each month, in addition to quilting techniques, foundation paper piecing, and more. 

Multiple participants have added sewn items to their menu at local craft fairs. Whether it be table runners as their first sewn item or a more complex sewn item like a patchwork bow added to their list of simple projects theyve sold in the past, participants are not just able to enjoy sewing class and learning a new skill, but also make money off that skill. 

Participants of sewing class also report mental health benefits. Everything from enjoying learning something and challenging their brain, to enjoying time out of the house, to using sewing nights as their friends' night out - participants continue to come back for more each month. 

Sewing nights have the potential to create income, and to save income - as participants can now feel comfortable making simple articles of clothing, or repairing items they would've previously thrown away.

Participants have learned how to use a machine, how to choose the right fabrics and needles, how to do basic stitches, how to do basic quilting techniques, and how to read garment patterns, and how to create multiple items that can save or make their family money. 






Stories by Dayna Fentress


Hook and Cook Partnership Program Reaches New Audience for First Year

about 25 days ago by Dayna Fentress

Describe the Issue or Situation: In Hardin County, a large portion of our population has no experien... Read More


POP Club is POPular at the Farmers' Market again for it's 7th season

about 8 months ago by Dayna Fentress

In Hardin County, what started as a conversation between the Family and Consumer Sciences agent and ... Read More


Stories by Hardin County CES


Hardin & LaRue County Community Baby Shower Promoting Healthy Choices for New Moms and Families -(June 2025)

Hardin & LaRue County Community Baby Shower Promoting Healthy Choices for New Moms and Families -(June 2025)

about 13 days ago by Chandra DeRamus

Within Hardin County, a disproportionate number of Kentucky families live in economically distressed... Read More


Seniors Celebration Program in Hardin County features Health & Nutrition Focus for Community Collaboration (May 2025)

Seniors Celebration Program in Hardin County features Health & Nutrition Focus for Community Collaboration (May 2025)

about 13 days ago by Chandra DeRamus

Within Hardin County, a disproportionate number of Kentucky families live in economically distressed... Read More


Stories by Apparel and Textiles (Non-Master Clothing Volunteer)


Sewing Skills for Seniors and Youth

Sewing Skills for Seniors and Youth

about 20 days ago by Ronda Rex

According to the University of Florida Extension, “the benefits of Learning How to Sew are:being abl... Read More


Teaching Sewists to give a "Scrap" about the environment.

Teaching Sewists to give a "Scrap" about the environment.

about 1 months ago by Angie York

Describe the Issue or Situation.Keeping textile and fabric waste out of landfills is crucial for env... Read More