See the bottom of this post for an update on this program.
Two local women want to show youth in our community that technology is about more than iPads and laptops, and they hope to inspire creative expression in the process. Terri Howell and Mary Spring received a $2500 District of Muskoka Pay It Forward grant for their proposal to offer landscape quilting workshops free of charge to youth living in Muskoka’s outlying areas.
“We are using small, computerized sewing machines for the workshops,” said Howell. “It’s another form of technology other than video games and it gives them an outlet to express themselves creatively. Hopefully they come away understanding there are different ways to be creative than painting a picture, for example.” Five sewing machines were purchased with the grant; the remaining funds will be used to purchase supplies.
“We wanted to teach a skill that many rural children don’t have access to – it’s no longer taught in school and if no one in their family sews they won’t learn,” said Howell, a quilter who began doing this free-flowing form of landscape quilting because she disliked the rigid rules of regular quilt-making. “I call it no-rules landscape quilting. Once we’ve taught the kids how to use the machine, the design and creative piece will be completely up to them. We’ll just be there to provide support.”
Lillian Bowman, 13, sews a landscape quilt
The goal is for each participant to leave the workshop with a small, completed landscape quilt.
Both Spring and Howell are retired teachers who recognize that kids in outlying areas may not have as much access to the programs available in town. As part of their grant application, they committed to providing workshops in more rural areas.
The first two day-long workshops will run in Huntsville on public school P.A. days – October 9 at the Huntsville Train Station and November 20 at The Huntsville Public Library. A workshop is also planned at the Dwight Public Library in February. The program is being offered free-of-charge – participants only need to provide their own lunch.
Lillian Bowman shows off her handiwork
“We have space for eight to ten kids per workshop,” said Spring. Pairs of participants will share a sewing machine for the day. “Anyone age 11 to 14 is welcome, but we’re really hoping to attract some boys. There are a lot of creative boys out there and this is a great project for them.” Spring and Howell are also looking for adult volunteers to help provide sewing support during the day.
Anyone interested in registering for the program can contact Terri Howell at [email protected] or Mary Spring at [email protected].
UPDATE New classes have been added:
- November 20: Huntsville Public Library
- November 23: Spruce Glen Public School…an all boys session, grade 7/8
- December 29: Aspdin Community Hall
- February 5: Dwight Public Library
UPDATE December 10, 2015:
These landscape design workshops are continuing. One class was held in early October at the Huntsville Public Library. The next workshop will take place this Friday, November 18th from 9-4 at the Gravenhurst Public Library. The classes are free of charge and the children only need their lunches. Contact Mary Spring at 705 787-8688 for registration.