Main photo: Kids’ sewing workshop participants show off their creations (back from left) Kara McClung, Lily Lamb, Elly Wilson, Shannan Pratt, Montana McClentic; (front from left) Ella McClung, Susannah Pratt, Malcolm Robson, Leah Bradley, and Sawyer Robson (supplied photo)
Mary Spring and Terri Howell, both retired TLDSB teachers, have received a Pay It Forward grant for the third year in a row to run a sewing program for children in Muskoka.
“As retired teachers, we recognize the importance of getting kids off of computer screens. Our sessions allow for creativity,” said Spring.
Spring and Howell teach participants in the program the basic use of a sewing machine, and discuss the elements of design like line, form, texture, colour, and shape using art pieces for reference. “We encourage the children to put their creative skills to work on a Canadian landscape made from fabric,” said Spring. “It takes a whole day to complete a landscape that is ready to take home or be displayed publicly.”
Friends of the organizers often volunteer at the workshops to help the children as well.
Their sewing sessions have been held all over Muskoka including Huntsville, Port Sydney, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Dwight. The pair also occasionally hold workshops at elementary schools in the area including Irwin Memorial in Dwight and VK Greer in Port Sydney as part of the schools’ winter elective program. This year they will be teaching workshops at Spruce Glen.
Spring said they like to spread the sessions out as many kids in small communities have not had a sewing lesson before.
Both girls and boys are encouraged to sign up for the sessions. They can accommodate up to 10 in each workshop; participants share the eight sewing machines—JANOME computerized machines—that are available for use.
“On our last PD Day. we had four parents contact us about the type of machines that we use,” said Spring. “They wanted them for Christmas gifts. That made us so happy!” The machines are available at Costco.
Seven of the machines used in the workshops were purchased with funds from the Pay it Forward grants and one, an identical type, was donated. They have also been offered others, some of which they have given to children in the classes. “We just ask whether children want to take one of the donated machines home,” said Spring. “We do not use those donated machines in our sessions only because we want the children to be using the same machines for teaching purposes.” While they appreciate the donations, they don’t actively seek them out as they don’t have room to store them.
The program has also received many donations of supplies from people all over Muskoka, so much so that they have plenty to last for quite a while.
“A woman from Bracebridge contacted us to ask whether we wanted her aunt’s sewing supplies when she was moving into a retirement home. We were so grateful. We wrote her a letter of thanks and sent pictures of the children sewing,” said Spring. “We also received a huge amount of fabric from a friend whose mother had passed away. Her mom was an avid quilter and, once again, the fabric was beautiful. Her name was Marilyn Mount. Sometimes her husband comes in to watch the children sew.”
Thanks to the Pay it Forward grant and donations of supplies, the programs are offered for free. Everything the children will need for the class is provided. All they need to bring is a lunch. Eventually, it may be necessary for the pair to collect a small fee to cover the cost of the fabrics the children use.
The next sewing workshop for kids will be held in April 2019—contact Huntsville Public Library for more information.
Adults in Muskoka can learn how to sew as well. Spring and Howell hold regular free sewing workshops for adults at The Annex via Huntsville Public Library programs. During those workshops, adults can make many different pieces including pillow cases, purses, zippered bags, and infinity scarves. Watch the library’s website for future workshops.
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I attended one of your workshops in Dwight and found it inspiring. Thank you for your classes.
Mary and Terri and volunteer friends – Thanks so much for bringing these great gifts of your time and talent to our youth and many others in our community. All that you do is so greatly appreciated and heartfelt good wishes to you and yours over this holiday season.
This pay it forward program is an amazing opportunity for children to develop some long lost functional life skills. I remember the day when home economics, autoshop and woodworking classes were mainstay classes, and so much fun.
Thank you Mary and Terri, the dynamic duo, for your dedicated volunteer contribution helping our children, and grandchildren express their creativity. Very appreciated!
Congrats to both of you for providing an activity that fills a void in our community. I know many parents / students who have participated and are so proud of what they have produced. Rock on Ladies … You’re Doing Good! ?
Retired Proud Principal
Sharon Stahls