Sewing Skills Training

New Skills for Youth

The sewing program is housed in the offices of Remember Youth for Change, where the machines, fabric and related items are kept for security purposes. At any given time, a total of 40 individuals participate in the sewing program, and currently there is a waitlist to join. The physical space and number of machines does limit the intake capacity. The 2023 intake was comprised of youth up to the age of 25 with girls representing most of the intake (25 girls versus 15 boys). The students were divided into three groups based on an assessment of their current level of sewing skills: beginner, medium and advanced.

Program Leadership

The program has four key leaders: Rebecca, Gisele, Annie and Maswila who are“ master sewers” themselves and are ensuring that the students have the skills and knowledge to become tailors plus the encouragement to move throughout the program to the higher levels. Maswila – the class facilitator of the beginner level students. Gisele and Annie - facilitators for the medium level students. Rebecca – facilitator for the advanced students.

The program’s learning methodology focuses on a practical hands-on approach.

Topics covered:

  • Measuring

  • Understanding the different stitches (machine and hand)

  • Alterations and mending

  • Using and creating patterns

  • Various technical methods of sewing differing materials

  • Product marketing

  • Creating a customer base

  • Tailoring as a business

  • Cutting methods for different fashion

  • Pinning garments

  • Fabric care and removing stitches

Continue reading about our projects: carpentry.