Sewing circle works for friendship one stitch at a time
A new sewing circle on campus is giving students a chance to sew while socializing. The circle is for both the beginning sewer and the advanced student, for those starting new crafts and those catching up on old projects.
The circle meets in the clothing production lab, room 310 in the Family Life building, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
There is a cost of $3, for maintenance of the space and tools used. The room has a large amount of cutting space, as well as 20 sewing machines available. There are two interns at each meeting who can answer questions or help with any difficulties.
Jen Giddens, a senior in interior design, said the traditional view of a sewing circle is little old ladies, but there are many young, talented designers who show the possibilities for college students to learn this new skill set and make their own style.
“There isn’t a community outlet for people who sew or want to learn to sew,” said Sarah Geer, a student receiving her second bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies. “Having a place to sew promotes sewing.”
Geer and Giddens, as well as Chanae Weller, a junior in public relations, were interns over the summer for assistant professor Lindsey Shirley. Shirley works in family and consumer sciences education as well as agricultural systems technology and education. Working together, they created the sewing circle, which held its first two meetings this semester. Three other interns, help with the circle.
“To teach yourself every little thing about sewing, every definition, is really tedious,” Geer said. Not only can the interns help with beginning sewing projects, Giddens said sometimes another pair of eyes reading a sewing pattern, which can get really complicated, is all that is needed on a project.
Weller said she has found her past experience with the interns very rewarding.
“I didn’t sew a stitch,” Weller said. Because she had never been involved with sewing, Weller is able to give feedback on whether patterns designed, and other sewing material the interns work on, are understandable to the beginning sewer.
“(The interns are) so patient, so good to take you through the little steps throughout the job,” Weller said. She has learned to sew since becoming an intern. All five other interns sew really well and have a lot of creativity and talent, Weller said.
Giddens and Geer are both accomplished sewers. Giddens designs patterns for bags. Geer likes to dream up challenging ideas and then make them realities.
“There is so much more meaning in home-made gifts. Sewing something for someone takes so much more than spending 15 minutes in the store,” Giddens said.
Giddens said another part of the appeal of sewing is creating something unique that isn’t found other places. The variety of fabrics out there allows for a lot of creativity even with the same pattern.
Five to 10 students have attended each meeting held so far. Students bring their own projects. At the last meeting, one girl worked on a dress, while others worked on bags such as the ones designed by Giddens.
“You’re working with really talented girls, creative and with fun personalities. A fun two hours of creative projects,” Weller said.
For those who want to start a project, patterns can be found online.
Ann Butler has a website which offers free patterns, from quilts to yoga bags. Etsy.com sells a variety of patterns, where students can look for different projects to start. A simple Google search can also yield a large number of patterns, so no one should feel deterred by a lack of project.
The sewing circle welcomes new faces to join in future meetings. No reservations are necessary, and the machines are used on a first come, first serve basis.
– genevieve.draper@aggiemail.usu.edu