Master Clothing Volunteers and National Sewing Month
Impact Statement
The Cooperative Extension Service in Hardin County has six master clothing volunteers that have been trained through the University of Kentucky Master Clothing Program. These volunteers were supervised by Hardin County Extension Agent for FCS. The Master Volunteers have taught been involved all through the year with teaching many workshops in beginning sewing for youth and adults, basic clothing repair, bags, and much more. These six volunteers worked with the other four volunteers in the area to teach several seminars in September 2005 during national sewing month. 51 women attended weekly lessons in September to learn how to make simple slip covered pillows, casserole covers, quilted jackets, fat quarter bags, and embroidered towels. Basic skills such as purchasing fabrics, pattern reading and layout, cutting fabrics, more about sewing notions, and sewing machine skills were taught with each lesson. All attending expressed that they learned many new skills and were very interested in becoming more skilled in clothing and textiles.
Over 100 women participated workshop entitled “Come Sew with Us”. The workshop targeted new and beginning sewers. It was taught in the Fort Harrod Area as well. 55-60 women in the two areas were taught how to get their sewing machines out of the box, how to setup their sergers, how to make a simple pair of pants, all about pillows, and a simple purse project. The workshop was well received and the Master Clothing Volunteer Program was highlighted. The evaluations showed that much more education is desired and needed. All responded that they want to learn more about sewing and hoped that we could have workshops like these very often. 75% felt more comfortable with their sewing machines. Follow-up workshops are being developed.