Volunteers love to teach at sewing camp
- Laurie Sidle, OSU Extension Wayne Co.
- July 4, 2023
- 460
It’s the joy on their faces.
That’s what keeps Marcia Brueck coming back each year to coordinate the Beginning Sewing Camp for our 4-H program in Wayne County.
She loves watching the 4-Hers model their garments on the last day of camp as she describes their outfits during their walk across the room.
“The kids are just so special, and there is so much satisfaction in seeing how proud they are of what they’ve accomplished,” said Brueck, who has been the camp’s main instructor for most of the 20 years it’s been in existence.
Brueck is retired from our Ohio State University Wayne County Extension and currently serves as the Wayne County Junior Fair secretary.
Recently, she and nine volunteers helped seven 4-Hers complete the three-day camp at Fisher Auditorium on the OSU Wooster campus. Each camper was paired with an experienced sewer who helped the 4-Her complete her Sew Fun project from a list of recommended patterns. The campers could choose to make a skirt, shorts or lounging pants, all with an elastic waist.
Campers bring their materials and matching thread, then take home with them their finished project, a sewing kit provided by the camp and a pin cushion they make the first day.
The pin cushion helps them practice stitching straight and turning corners. They also learn how to hand stitch the cushion closed after stuffing it with wool provided by a local sheep producer. Brueck shared with the campers that the lanolin in the wool keeps the pins smooth and shiny.
Before they sew the first stitch, Brueck instructs the group on sewing terminology, supplies and parts of the sewing machine. The campers get the feel of the sewing machine by sewing without thread on paper and following different lined shapes.
On day two she talks about fabric and pattern markings. “Then I turn them loose with their helpers,” she said. “They go to work laying out their material with their patterns. They cut out their patterns and work on getting their garments constructed.”
Normally, the campers are age 13-14, but this year an older 4-Her decided to give sewing a try.
“That’s the first time a 17-year-old was willing to come among the little ones and learn,” Brueck said. She was so enthused about the experience, Brueck said, she got several hugs from her.
The Sewing Camp was modeled after a similar one in a neighboring county, Brueck said. The first one took place at Dorothy Lackman’s Sewing Center in Apple Creek before it moved to a larger room in Fisher Auditorium.
Brueck said she does not assign herself to a camper so she can be free to roam and troubleshoot. During the pandemic she conducted the Sewing Camp over Zoom and provided videos of the teaching she normally does in the classroom. “We did the same topics we would have done if we had been face to face,” she said.
While it’s a busy three days of camp, sometimes the project member has some work to do at home when camp is over.
“We have had kids do the mini style show on the last day with hems pinned up because they weren’t able to get it all done,” Brueck said.
Some campers have gone on to make sewing a career or a hobby.
And that adds to the joy for Brueck.
“I love to teach kids,” she said. “I love to be able to perpetuate the skill of sewing. If one of those kids goes on to pursue sewing — even as a hobby — it’s worthwhile.”
Laurie Sidle is an OSU Extension family and consumer sciences program assistant and may be called at 330-264-8722.