Lifelong skills, one stitch at a time

Young sewing students start with simple projects, then learn to make their own clothes.

By GAIL DIEDERICH, Times Staff Writer
Published September 19, 2007

Tara Vaughan, a member of a sewing class taught by Kathy Magee in Wesley Chapel, threads a needle on her sewing machine recently. A handful of youngsters in Wesley Chapel have taken to sewing machines as readily as others their age have embraced cell phones, iPods, and computers.
	[Gail Diederich | Times]

WESLEY CHAPEL - A handful of youngsters in Wesley Chapel have taken to sewing machines as readily as others their age have embraced cell phones, iPods and computers.

The young girls sprinkle words like thread, bobbin, needle and serger in their conversations while they unfold patterns and spread out colorful fabric.

Sarah Reaka, 12, glances in a mirror, flashing a smile of satisfaction at her clothes: gauchos and a matching bandanna she has sewn herself.

"I really like it when someone mentions something I'm wearing and I can say, 'I made it,'" says Katie Reaka, 10. She shows off the denim pants she's wearing - ones she made, sporting purple dolphin-shaped buttons near the hemline. Nearby is purple fabric; Katie's eager to lay out her pattern for a top and get down to the business of sewing. When done, she'll have a matching outfit.

Kathy Magee, an 18-year veteran of teaching sewing skills to young people, is largely responsible for the enthusiasm shared by the girls.

Magee's current group is10 students who come to her Wesley Chapel home an hour a week to learn sewing techniques. She teaches in groups of two to allow for individual attention.

In 1988, with two small sons, Magee looked for work she could do as a stay-at-home mom. She discovered Kids Can Sew and Fashion Design, a national program started in 1983. According to the Kids Can Sew Web site www.kidscansew.com, in those days little thought was given to children who might want to sew, and patterns were not kid-friendly.

Things have changed and now there are more than 300 instructors with the program nationwide, and thousands of young people involved in designing and sewing clothes.

Magee's students come from all over the Tampa Bay area.

"I started sewing - making doll clothes - when I was 9. My grandmothers and mother sewed so this was a natural thing for me," says Magee, who created wedding dresses for her two daughters-in-law.

"I have so much fun with these children," she says. "I know I am teaching them a lifelong skill."

At 8, Tara Vaughan is one of Magee's youngest students. With a sister, Kylie Vaughan, 12, already taking sewing lessons, Tara could hardly wait until she was old enough to be included.

"I took some lessons and I really liked it," says Tara, who says one of her favorite things to do is pick out fabric for her projects.

Magee uses the first-level book from the Kids Can Sew program. The manual outlines nine projects for the first year, going from a simple rectangular bag to culottes, skirts and shorts.

"These are cute, simple things anyone can make. I just want the children to feel successful when they start out," Magee says.

After the first manual, Magee takes the students into simple patterns that can be bought at any fabric store. Students can then take on more complicated things and even design clothes.

Sarah Reaka has been sewing for half her life - six years - and she designs and wears her creations.

Emily Reaka is a graduate of Magee's program after five years of instruction, but returns often for advice on projects. Emily designed and made a leather skirt and top that captured first place at the 2007 Pasco County Fair.

Magee aligns her program with the school calendar. In the spring, students put on a fashion show for their mothers. They model clothes they've made.

The students also model their clothes at Sew Suite, a special event of the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo that takes place in Tampa each year in February.

Lounging in the sewing room at Magee's home, the girls are quick to give Magee credit for her help. They also recognized the satisfaction coming from the efforts they put into sewing.

"When you're done, well, you know you made it," says Katie Reaka.

Fast facts

To learn more

For information about Kids Can Sew, contact Kathy Magee at (813) 907-8403 or mamagee@verizon.net

[Last modified September 18, 2007, 22:19:58]