It's Sew Fine: Sewing Expo had been held annually for several years in the Northern Kentucky area. Not from the lack of participation or interest, this event could no longer be held as in previous years. FCS Agents and participants of the event had inquired whether the Fort Harrod Area FCS Extension Agents would continue this event in a different location. With the renovation and additions to the Boyle County Extension Office, this was possible. An area committee was formed consisting of the Fort Harrod FCS Extension Agents, State Specialist for Textiles, and a Master Clothing Volunteer in the area. To have continuity and not lose any momentum for the event, April 2021 was the target date for the Expo. The pandemic has emphasized the need for flexibility. After accepting teacher applications and planning in-person teaching, choosing catered lunches and hotel accommodations, by fall 2020 it was realized the event could not happen as planned. Changing gears, the committee chose to reduce classes, go totally virtual, and plan with only localized teachers which meant no hotels and limited travel. 

Teachers for the event included Master Volunteers in Clothing Construction and retired FCS Extension Agents. Class participants Zooming in for the Sewing Expo had the chance to participate in and complete a Qualtrics evaluation in real-time. The goal was to offer 2 quilting classes and 2 garment-related sewing classes by Zoom. There would be 2 classes each day of the 2-day event. Fort Harrod FCS agents would be on-site in Boyle County to take care of the camera work, Zoom chat/questions, assist the teachers, give door prizes, etc. to make the event successful. All committee members were present during the event. Participants registered and paid for the Expo online.  77 people participated in the 4 different classes. Hosting virtually in 2021 was a risk but a necessary endeavor to keep the event viable moving forward. Plans for the 2022 event include a virtual component along with in-person learning.  

Sewing business has a US market share of 3.4 billion dollars yearly as reported by Industry Market Research in IBISWorld. Sewing is a single focus task bringing many health benefits. Those health benefits include a steady heart rate, lower blood pressure, less perspiration over time, reduced stress, and an increase in dopamine. The creative process of sewing keeps the mind healthy and active so that your mind can stay sharper for longer. The creative thinking required during sewing encourages the growth of new brain cells. 

Some demographics on our participants in the Sewing Expo with 81% returned surveys: 82% female; 7% Hispanic; 24% were new to sewing or had sewn less than 5 years;  40% were new to quilting or had been involved in quilting 5 years or less. 

Each class was evaluated on the specifics of that class: 92% were very satisfied with their class; 47% of the Expo participants reported learning something that was totally new to them; 96% reported they would use the info learned in class again; 87% reported increasing their skills learning a new technique; 96% of the participants were clear/understood their pattern at the end of class. At the conclusion of classes, some projects were completely finished with pictures proudly sent. (100% of the Tote Bag class) Quilt projects that require more than class time to complete were still being worked on after the Expo. A 6-month follow-up survey will be sent to determine the number of completed 2021 Sewing Expo projects. 

When asked specifically what was learned in classes, the following were most often mentioned: setting on point, twizzling seam intersections, reading a pattern, constructing a lining for a tote, variations on strapping, creating box corners, and the importance of measuring accurately.  

With the popularity of this presentation and other sewing-related programs, offering opportunities in the sewing/needle-arts area continues in the Fort Harrod Area.