Russell County 4-H sewing volunteer leaders offered a five-day 4-H sewing day camp to seven youth. Developing life skills and crafting skills such as sewing have been shown to increase hand/eye coordination, improve critical thinking skills, and helps develop creative thinkers. Learning to sew produces a sense of confidence and accomplishment in youth as they learn new skills and complete projects. It also gives youth the opportunity to understand textiles, construction techniques, and design principles (National 4-H). Youth also learn to try new things, that mistakes are permissible and fixable, and that perseverance is important. They also develop confidence in their abilities. The participating youth received 12 hours of instruction in advanced beginner sewing which involved building on basic sewing skills that were learned the previous year. Per a post-program evaluation, 100% of the youth indicated that they learned the following skills:

• Identifying parts of the sewing machine and knowing how to use the machine in a safe manner;
• Identifying sewing supplies needed to complete a project.
• Changing the stitch length and using correct stitching.
• Pinning fabric
• Beginning and ending a seam.
• Identifying parts of a serge machine.

Over 85% of the youth learned the following skills:

• Laying out a pattern.
• Proper use of interfacing.
• Using a pressing cloth.
• Sewing a basting stitch.
• Finishing a seam.

Other skills that over 70% of the youth indicated that they learned were cutting out a pattern, marking fabric, and controlling the temperature of the iron.

Several of the youth had used their sewing skills outside of the 4-H meetings to make various projects for themselves and others. Three of the youth entered their projects from 2017 in the county fair; two of the projects advanced to the Kentucky State Fair and received blue ribbons.

The youth are excited to attend the sewing camp next year and indicated that they need further help in sewing curves, learning new ways to use various styles of stitches, using the serge machine, and practicing hand sewing.