Success StorySewing for personal, health, and financial benefit



Sewing for personal, health, and financial benefit

Author: Rachael Price

Planning Unit: Grant County CES

Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

Plan of Work: Becoming Fit Financially

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

With sewing becoming more popular and a means to generate income, Family and Consumer Science agents coordinated its 14th annual “It’s Sew Fine” Sewing Expo, providing hands-on, experiential learning programs. Over the years, the program has grown to attract participants from across Kentucky and surrounding states.

While the sewing expo has been a consistent event that many attended annually, we have seen growth this past year.  Not only did the average number of participants raise, 34.5% of participants were first time attendees.  

The Sewing Expo attracts college educated women (65.3%; 22% had some college) aged from 25-65+, and a majority (61.6%) belong to one or more organizations who address issues related to clothing construction, textiles, or fiber arts. Sewing provides a sense of accomplishment as they make gifts for others and their home. 100% of participants reported that they sew for some sort of personal satisfaction, while 34.5% report that they sew to save money, and 21.2% say that they sew to earn money.   

Additional information from a program evaluation has shown us this past year 96% of participants increased their sewing skills and increased knowledge directly because of the expo. Out of the participants, 49% plan to teach others what they learned and 21% plan to use what they learned to make items to sell as a source of income.

The sewing expo provides a constructive environment that improves self-esteem, confidence and personal satisfaction for those who attend.






Stories by Rachael Price


Teaching Healthy Living and Reaching New and Underserved Audiences Virtually

about 3 years ago by Rachael Price

Obesity and lack of physical activity is a continued concern for Kentuckians. In Grant County, the a... Read More


Bringing Laughter and Happiness in Uncertain Times

about 3 years ago by Rachael Price

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected our communities. The pandemic has brought new challenges ... Read More


Stories by Grant County CES


Cooking Virtually

about 3 years ago by Lorie Dunn

With Covid-19 shutting down in person classes, the Grant County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Pr... Read More


Zooming with Preschoolers

about 3 years ago by Lorie Dunn

With Covid-19 impacting service delivery of nutrition classes, face to face classes were no longer s... Read More