Teaching them skills they can use “for the rest of their lives” | Quincy Public Schools

But soon she was sewing a seam along her fabric against the background of the steady hum of the machine’s engine.

“It feels good,” Octavia said.

Using the sewing machine was the latest lesson in Toni Smith’s second quarter life skills class this week.

“We learned how to thread a needle and how to write a check. Now we’re learning to sew,” said student Koleson Altgilbers.

It’s good to know these skills, he said, “but it depends on what you want. If you want to start your own clothing company or something similar, you could get a start.”

The goal of the course, offered in the second year at QJHS, remains “to teach them life skills that they can use for the rest of their lives,” Smith said.

With help from volunteers Shelley Arns and Barb Edwards, Smith led the class in sewing a simple pillowcase.

“It’s fun to learn,” said sixth-grader Riley Terwelp. “It gives you a different perspective on what others are doing.”

Only one of Smith’s first-year students had sewing experience, and even that was fairly limited for Sydney Hudson, who said she wanted to learn more.

Smith’s instructions started with the basics from the foot pedal that starts the machine and the reverse button to anchor the stitches at the beginning and end of a seam, to the proper way to “face the front, the pretty side” of the fabric to clamp together.

“When you sew, you’re not competing in a race,” Smith said. “You don’t want to go super slow, but you don’t want to go super fast either. You’ll probably progress quickly at first, but once you start sewing you’ll get used to it.”

Adam Winget folded and pinched his fabric, then carefully began stitching.

“I still feel like I’m doing something wrong,” he said.

“You’re fine,” Arns said. “When it starts, the fabric is pulled through automatically. Your job is to make sure it stays balanced.”

Addison Peters said it was good to learn the different skills in the class, but she didn’t know if she would continue sewing.

“It depends on how this goes,” said Edwards, who has taught in the past and still enjoys helping out in the classroom. “The fun part is when you can be creative while sewing.”

Students learn about budgeting and career options. They cook during four lessons and learn to sew on a button.

“The kids were so excited when they actually made something functional,” said Arns, who helped out last quarter and returned to sew this week.

“It was so refreshing to see our students so engaged with the sewing unit and using the sewing machines. With a little help and patience, students can see how they can transform a piece of fabric into a pillowcase or bag,” said QJHS Principal Brenda Fleer. “We are so grateful to the community for their continued financial and volunteer support of this program.”

Smith developed the curriculum and continues to improve the offering. This year, the sewing unit was added to produce drawstring bags in the first quarter and pillowcases in the second quarter.

“I’m always trying to add different things. So it’s fresh for the kids,” she said. “They did a really good job with the sewing system. Some had never seen a sewing machine before,” Smith said.

A grant from the Quincy Public Schools Foundation provided the sewing machines. The Sew Essentials group joined others in donating thread and fabric, and volunteers, including Cami Mock and Debi Moore, pitched in when needed.

The support is important for the class – and the students, Smith said. “I know I couldn’t have done it myself without volunteers.”