We recently partnered with a 4-H chapter to donate our Singer sewing machines for a youth summer sewing camp. It is such an inspiration to see the next generation of sewists thrive and to help ignite their passion for sewing! #SVPworldwide
Last week, we held our inaugural 4-H Sewing Day Camp, in partnership with James Monroe's Highland! The camp was a hub of creativity and hands-on learning, led by 4-H Program Assistant Sarah Brown and 4-H Volunteer Mariah Clark, who are both Virginia Tech alums with multiple degrees in Apparel Design and work experience in the fashion industry. The camp was also facilitated by wonderful volunteers and staff including Master Gardener Linda Blum, 4-H Extension Agent Sam Leech, 4-H Volunteers Kim Lohan and Hannah Orsagh, and VCE Albemarle Intern Sabrina Whearty. Throughout the week, 12 youth aged 9-16 practiced essential sewing skills, from basic stitches to more complex tasks like installing zippers and crafting pockets, drafting their own patterns, using a serger and programming our new embroidery machine. The first day introduced campers to sewing on paper and selecting fabrics that reflected their personality. By the second day, they tackled zippers and pockets, demonstrating growing sewing confidence and competence. By the third day, several campers completed their bags and began personal projects like sewing garments and exploring the new embroidery machine. Creativity truly flourished on the fourth day with projects including mason jar pin cushions, circle skirts drafted on pattern paper from scratch, a denim block quilt, and a fun mushroom print bucket hat. The final day was a celebration of their hard work, with all tote bag projects completed and additional pillowcases sewn for donation to the Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE Shelter) in Charlottesville. We are so very proud of all the hard work and new skills our 4-H youth learned! Campers can choose to enter their projects in the upcoming Albemarle County Fair that will take place next week at James Monroe's Highland, which is open to all. To enter your own Home Arts or Horticultural entries, please enter them online in FairEntry by Tuesday, July 30th: https://lnkd.in/da-DRvSa A huge thank you to James Monroe's Highland for use of their facility, along with SVP Worldwide for donating 3 Singer Sewing Machines to our 4-H Program, SewingMachinesPlus.com for donating a Janome Sewing Machine, Peggy Quesenberry, Ph.D for donating loads of fabric and notions, Mariah Clark for designing our tote bag project and skirt patterns, Dr. Sherry Schofield for inspiring us to create a sewing workbook reference, Hannah Orsagh for helping us with our pillowcase and pin cushion projects, Linda Blum, Kim Lohan, and Sabrina Whearty for being helping hands, Sam Leech for providing support, and Sarah Brown for organizing and coordinating all the things! If your child is interested in our upcoming Sewing Workshops, please fill out our Interest Form here: https://lnkd.in/df-eAbp6 #VirginiaCooperativeExtension #Virginia4H
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