8 Week After School Sewing Program for Kids
Target Audience: 2nd Graders to 6th Graders – 8 Students Total
Purpose: Kids have no idea where their clothing comes from, aside from racks at stores. The purpose of this 8 week sewing program would be to teach kids where clothing comes from. Students would also learn that it’s not that hard to make their own clothing. Throughout the program, they would introduced to new sewing techniques both by hand and on a sewing machine.
Artistic Goal: To learn brand new sewing skills to create their own clothing they can wear.
Timing: 8 Weekly 1.5 Hour Classes in March & April 2025
Budget = $2,500
Supplies = $250
Instructor Fee = $2000
Promotion = $250
8 Week Curriculum:
Week 1: Introduction to sewing by hand. Students will learn how to thread a needle and work with various basic sewing tools including scissors, pins, embroidery hoops & needles. Basic hand sewing stitches will be introduced and practiced.
Week 2: Hand Sewing & Embroidery Practice. Students will practice their newly acquired hand sewing & embroidery skills & begin creating a messenger bag.
Week 3: Introduction to the Sewing Machine. This is the week we’ll learn how to use the sewing machine safely & effectively. Students will learn how a sewing machine is threaded and how to operate the sewing machine by themselves. Students will also be introduced to sewing patterns used for creating sewing projects.
Week 4: Begin Kids Tops Sewing Project. Students will begin to learn about clothing patterns by being introduced to a kids top sewing project. Students will choose fabric and cut out fabric pieces for their top. Students will be introduced to the sewing instructions and steps to creating their very own top.
Week 5: Finish Kids Tops Sewing Project. Students will continue to work on sewing top project until completion.
Week 6: Begin Pants/Shorts Project. Upon completion of top project, students will start to design their final project elastic waist pants or shorts. Students will be introduced to the sewing pattern for their project and choose fabric to create it from.
Week 7: Continue to work on Pants/Shorts Project. Students will continue to work on their pants/short sewing, seams pockets, elastic channel, etc.
Week 8: Finish Up Pants/Shorts Project. Students will do the finishing touches on their final project including elastic waist & hems.
Instructor Qualifications: Megan Avery has been a sewing educator since her first handbag sewing workshop in Hoboken NJ in 2001. She has taught children and adults the fundamentals of learning how to sew, intermediate level sewing including starting and completing clothing projects, quilting & everything in between. Megan has a thriving custom sewing & clothing alterations business out of her studio in Harpersfield. She also teaches weekly classes in her studio. Megan stopped buying clothing in 2018 in favor of sewing her own wardrobe. This year she plans on not purchasing any *new* fabric, supplies or sewing patterns in favor of using thrifted and free fabric & supplies.
Why is this project needed in Delaware County: Teaching kids and adults (anywhere in the world) to sew their own clothes empowers them to create unique garments that fit well. It also fosters creativity, personal expression, and a sense of accomplishment. Teaching this class will allow kids in Delaware county to live more sustainably by reducing fast fashion consumption and allowing for repairs and upcycling of old clothes.
Publicity & Promotion: (What is the public outreach plan, target audience, what does this cost?)
Each school within 20 mile radius will receive letters announcing the workshop, including dates, curriculum and how to sign up.
Class will be publicized on local social media outlets and through the Stamford Public Library.
Project Accessibility: This class will be taught at the Stamford Library, a full accessible building that is level with the ground.
Measures to evaluate success of this project: