Area students recently learned the basics of sewing through a partnership between a local sewing shop and a national youth development campaign.
Myra Knight, owner of Sew Much More in Poplar Bluff, hosted four girls last week as part of Row By Row Jr., a summertime youth development program introducing sewing and its intrinsic benefits to kids age 6-14.
"I really hope they all learn something new today and develop the desire to learn more about sewing," Knight said.
The day's topics touched on threading, straight seams, applique and running the sewing machine, Knight said. The young women practiced stitching in a straight line using notebook paper and eventually put their new skills to use by creating a pillow featuring brightly colored piano keys.
Knight said sewing's benefits cover more than piecing together fabric squares. She said the craft promotes goal setting, builds confidence, hones fine motor skills and teaches a practical art.
"Sewing can be very relaxing," Knight said. "It can give you a feeling of accomplishment. You want to be able to set a goal, to reach that goal and to say, 'I did it myself.'"
Knight also said through a variety of individualized options, sewing fosters creativity by enabling the maker to customize each item.
Aubrea Morrow, 11, is a student at Poplar Bluff Middle School. Morrow said she has hand sewn a few simple projects in the past, but Knight's class was her first experience with a machine.
"My mom and my grandma taught me to sew with my hands," she said. "I like to sew and I wanted to learn a little bit more so that's why I came here."
Morrow said she enjoys sewing because of the freedom she has to create.
"You can make anything you want," she said. "If you want pig socks, you can make pig socks!"
Ten-year-old Katie Ward also attends PBMS.
"I really like trying new things and a while back my mom said I can take a sewing class here," she said. "I haven't sewn very much before, so this is a new thing for me."
Ward said she doesn't have any future projects planned at this point, but hopes to eventually use her newly acquired skills on a few pieces of fabric she has at home.
Sew Much More, located at 1103 Cherry Street, offers a variety of sewing supplies and quilting fabrics.
Knight said classes for sewing projects, quilt blocks, machine usage, knitting, and crocheting for groups or individuals are offered throughout the year.
For more information, call Sew Much More at 573-727-9898.