Bookmark: It’s So — You Can Learn to Sew at the Library!

The Town of Pelham Public Library is offering two four-week sewing classes — called “Sew and So” – with sewing machines provided by the Westchester Library System (WLS).

The classes, for men and women 16 and up, is being taught by Kate Perri, an artist in residence with the WLS. Perri first learned to sew on a machine when she was five years old and revels in the ability to make things. “Part of sewing is really about construction and design,” she says. She also advocates for sewing’s “ruminative” qualities, especially in a fast-moving, screen-filled world where people are less likely to work with their hands.

Perri has taught hand and machine sewing and quilting for more than 25 years, and has programs designed for many different ages. She received a BFA in Designer/Crafts at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

What will attendees learn? Perri will introduce them to how sewing machines work, and will introduce progressively skilled exercises and techniques that will result in actual projects, including an infinity scarf, a zippered bag and a patchwork pillow.

Registration is required by calling the Library at (914) 738-1234, and spots are going fast. The first session is on Thursday nights March 29, April 12, 19 and 26.The second session is on Monday nights April 9, 16, 23 and 30. All sessions are from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

This program is made possible in part with funds from Westchester Library System’s Creative Aging Mini-Grant Initiative supported by Entergy and HW Wilson. The WLS has been allocating grant money to member libraries so they can develop new programs for their patrons. To fund this program, the Library was given two mini-grants totaling $2,600. Said Adult Services Librarian Augusta Turner, who wrote the grant applications, “The idea is to give people skills and information they can use to grow in all different kinds of ways.”

Pelham Library Director Patricia Perito said, “We are very grateful to the WLS for the grant that helps stretch our limited funds.”

Sign up to sew, while there’s still room!

Also, if you want to know more about sewing, check out University of Fashion, one of the Library’s many online resources. Go to this link on the WLS site and scroll down to University of Fashion. The resource brings together the best fashion industry professionals to create lessons that inspire and educate students, teachers, home sewers and the fashion curious.

(This story originally appeared in The News of Pelham and on pelhamplus.com.)