This summer we’ve offered two class series here in Madison. Our wonderful instructor, Rebecca Sites teaches both series–1 in Spanish at the Catholic Multicultural Center and 1 through a translator to Hmong women at the Bayview Center. Both classes wrapped up in the past week and I visited the last Hmong class last night.
The women in the class were working busily when I arrived, their voices a melody with the sewing machines humming the background. Laughing, discussing, asking questions, they never rested, it seemed. They were finishing up tote bags that they’d designed with Rebecca’s help. Mee, the translator, is a sewist herself so a great help for these classes.
The classes meet in the evening because the women, all elders, spend their days at Kasjiab House, a very special place and program developed for Hmong elders to feel safe, receive counseling, learn more about American culture, and celebrate and express their own culture. Despite the fact that the elder women had been busy all day they had plenty of energy to sew in the evening. Their cultural background includes plenty of intricate handwork and they are excited to learn to use a sewing machine and, at the end of the class series, take home a machine of their own.
I was Rebecca’s backup, doing minor machine repairs and answering questions. Rebecca, as always, taught in her beautiful relaxed way. As I sat beside one woman after another I marveled at the warmth I felt, not only between the women, but extended to me as well. I watched as they carefully stitched their bags together. I smiled as they joked with one another (“your tote bag is so big you could carry one of us in it!”, the translator shared with me).
I love the fact that older people are called elders and are revered as a source of wisdom.
On the surface one might think that in these classes we are the teachers but we are the students as well.
Sew awesome! You are such a blessing and inspiration. Just look at the smile on that lady’s face!
So glad to find you! I have heard your interviews a couple times on sewing with Nancy.
I am anxious to hear more about this program. Do you have any programs in Florida?
I live in Ocala, Florida and this really pulled at my heart when I heard of it. I left a message at your office late today and look forward to your call tomorrow.
Thanks,
Carla chapman
352-369-9952
So glad to find you! I have heard your interviews a couple times on sewing with Nancy.
I am anxious to hear more about this program. Do you have any programs in Florida?
I live in Ocala, Florida and this really pulled at my heart when I heard of it. I left a message at your office late today and look forward to your call tomorrow.
Thanks,
Carla chapman
352-369-9952
The Work Opportunity Center is one department of The Arc of Monmouth located in Long Branch NJ. We are a vocational training center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and our building was severely impacted by Super Storm Sandy. We struggle to continue to make necessary repairs to the facility while trying to rebuild a business for the purpose of vocational training. We recently received a very generous donation of 20 sewing machines and 2 knitting machines. We would like to utilize this equipment into a business to supply much needed work to the 138 people we serve. Would you have any classes in New Jersey? Do you know of any agencies like yours that could ‘mentor’ us? We are private not for profit and deal with budgetary restraints but are determined to breath new life into our struggling center. Any suggestions or tips you could share would certainly be so very much appreciated.
Linda Porter, Director of Vocational Services
Lporter@arcofmonmouth.org
732-229-4414X204
Hi Linda-unfortunately we do not have any programs set up in your area. You might want to locate a local American Sewing Guild chapter and see if they could give more guidance. They may have a better handle on resources in your area.
Best regards,
Margaret
I have wanted to do something to share the gift of sewing with those in the urban area in Cincinnati where I live. We are very multicultural and many people are economically challenged. On the video you did with Alex Anderson, you mention curriculum that is available. How would one go about securing that curriculum to carry out work such as you mention in this post?
I do not have any $forasewing machine However I have the time to teach or help people who arewill ing to learn can ya all help
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for your note. If you have identified a group in your area and would like to set up a sewing class please let me know and I’ll send you a proposal form. To request it, just email me at info@thesewingmachineproject.org
Margaret