Teaching sewing skills to children has the ability to spark a love of sewing that can last a lifetime. Aimee Wieler, Art teacher at St. Helena Elementary School, had the desire to enhance the sewing skills of her 2nd-5 th graders involved in the school’s sewing club. Through her grant “Sewing Machine Basics, Planting Stiches for a Life-Long Positive Addiction” funded by the Foundation and Friends of Callawassie Island, her students will be able to develop their sewing skills through hands-on instruction.
At St. Helena Elementary School, each student participates in an extra-curricular club. And one of the most popular is the Sewing Club. However, the club lacked the proper equipment. So…Ms. Wieler applied for a grant to purchase beginner sewing machines for the club.
The primary goal of the project was to introduce students to the skills of sewing in hopes that they might develop a sincere interest in the work, and eventually, develop the skills they learn in sewing club into a life-long hobby, or potentially even a career.
The excitement was palpable when the NEW sewing machines arrived in January. Students first learned the names of the various parts of the sewing machine, how to thread the needle, how to maneuver the foot, and how to control the pedal.
As a result of the grant, every student in the club had the opportunity to operate a sewing machine for the very first time! In the monthly club meetings, students participated in a series of hand-sewing and machine-sewing activities such as "running stitch," "the embroidery stitch," and how to use an embroidery loop. Students also created a series of projects using the machines, including a "plushie" stuffed toy, an embroidered pillowcase, and a checkered pouch with a button.
In addition, the funds provided for the purchase of additional supplies for the club including sewing needles, sewing fabric, and sewing thread.
Ms. Wieler said the overall student engagement for the project was extremely high. Some students even sought permission to get in additional sewing time on their lunch break, or when they completed their classwork early. These occasions provided Ms. Wieler many opportunities to provide one on one instruction to students, and allowed them more time on the machines. Some club members reported operating their parents' or grandparents' sewing machines after they had learned the basics in Sewing Club.
“The quality of the products that students made exceeded my expectations!” said Ms. Wieler.
Students eagerly utilized the seam-ripper tool when they made stitching errors, and were determined to re-sew items to develop high quality items. Some students took unfinished projects home and completed them, while other students asked for extra project ideas and materials to continue their practice independently at home.
The excitement of sewing even spread to fellow teachers who, after seeing the impressive sewing projects and enthusiasm of the students, expressed interest in assisting Ms. Wieler with the sewing club next year!
While practicing sewing, the students combined their understanding of sewing techniques and principles together with measurement skills. Students quickly learned that quality outcomes (products) require attention to precise details and measurements.
This project exposed students to materials and techniques that many of them would not have otherwise had access/exposure to. Another goal of this project was to introduce students to a skill that might encourage them to move in a positive trajectory as many of them enter Middle School. Sewing is an activity that allows for quiet meditation, relaxation, confidence-building, and satisfaction! The Sewing Club students expressed sincere excitement in the realization that they could someday choose to pursue a career path utilizing the skills they learned in Sewing Club.
Thanks to the passion of Ms. Wieler and the funds provided by the Foundation and Friends of Callawassie Island, students at St. Helena Elementary School can hone their sewing skills for years to come!
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