Many studies have shown that sewing is not only a productive life skill and hobby, but that it can be a stress reliever and can increase a person’s feeling of self worth. A study found that spending 45 minutes making art or being creative helps boost someone’s confidence and ability to complete tasks. (Drexel University, Drexel News Blog, 9/16/16)  Sewing is a skill that can be creative and more than a hobby.

The Woodford County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and the Garrard County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent work together as the coordinators of the Fort Harrod Area Master Clothing Volunteer program. Currently there are five Master Clothing Volunteers (MCV) in the area who share their skills with others. 

Each volunteer works closely with their County Extension Office to teach and lead a variety of sewing programs. Some of the programs offered this past year were 4-H Sewing Projects (STEAM, In-School and After-School Sewing), Beginning Sewing for Adults, Quilting, Simple Sewing Repairs, Judging (4-H Fashion Revue, FCCLA), Sewing for Charity Groups, and Coordinating County Fair Sewing Division. One MCV is teaching basic quilting classes at a women’s prison, which includes much planning and coordinating of the supplies needed by working with the warden. The women in the class started with basics of hand sewing and have increased their skills with each session. 

The five MCVs reported 1,466 total contacts and made 91 service project items that were donated. The volunteers reported 416.5 hours in Teaching and Preparation, 490.5 hours in Continuing Education, and 139.25 hours in Leadership and Service. Based on the value of volunteer time ($25.43/hour), this is a contribution worth $26,593.42 to their communities and to the Cooperative Extension Service. 

Four of the Fort Harrod Area MCVs coordinated the serging classes and taught at the statewide MCV training week. In preparation for teaching, they planned and taught Basic and Advanced Serging classes in area-wide trainings throughout the area. This not only helped them to practice their teaching skills, but also aided in preparation for teaching basic and advanced serger techniques to other MCVs from across the state. During the serging classes taught over a two year period, they made 78 contacts.

The following are a few comments from participants in one beginning serger class:  

“I have learned a lot. I feel comfortable enough after class that I think I can rethread my serger. I was only going to finish seams, but now I am so excited to sew with it.”

“I paid a lot for this serger, but I have been frustrated. I got into a mess with it and I just stopped. I learned so much in class about trouble-shooting tension and not to give up.”

“I learned more about trouble-shooting tension, rethreading without starting over, how sergers actually work! All of this helps so much.”