Technology in Quilting for a Cause

Technology is always changing and technology for sewing and quilting is not immune to this phenomenon. With the fast changes in quilting technology that makes things easier and fast it is important to keep those who sew and quilt up-date on changes and empower them to develop their skills. The Lawrence County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education developed a program that provided the opportunity for quilters develop new skills in using new technology for quilting. The quilters then used what they learned about new quilting technology to make quilts for those in Hospice care. 

The Sewing and Quilting Technology Workshop was hosted at the Lawrence County Extension Office. The class was led by the FCS Agent and had 18 participants. These participants consisted of Lawrence County Extension Homemakers, Lawrence County Quilt Guild Members, as well as other community members. 

The workshop consisted of a presentation and demonstrations about new technology in sewing, provided by the FCS Agent. The main demonstration was in using a digital embroidery machine. Participants were able to use a computer to program the machine to sew/quilt and then were able to upload their design to the machine, thread it using the digital tools, and then make their design. 100% of the participants said that this was the first time they had used a computer to implement any type of quilting and/or sewing. 

After the Sewing and Quilting Technology Workshop decided they wanted to use what they had learned to help the community. The FCS Agent worked on and found a program to help with this volunteer goal. The FCS Agent developed a partnership with Hospice; this partnership gives the sewers and quilters the opportunity to make quilts for those in Hospice care. This program has been very successful with 100% of the participants implemented what they had learned into making a quilt for those in Hospice care. At this point in time over 20 quilts have been made and donated to Hospice; more are in development now and will be donated upon completion. 

This program will continue to grow as more quilts are donated, more people become interested, and as those who attended the workshop practice and develop their skills continuously.