• As a 4-H leader
• Teaching limited income diverse individuals at weekly sewing classes
  • Youth sewing
    • 4-H sewing clubs
    • Schools
    • Youth focused organizations
  • Adult class locations
    • Salishan
    • Sumner
    • Lacamas
    • Tillicum
      
      
• Serve as community resource persons for agencies, churches, schools, etc.

In 2007, CTA volunteers contributed 5,410 hours to teaching sewing classes. They reached 11,533 students.

CTAs also help to manage and staff the largest Sewing and Stitchery Expo in the United States. Each year more than 175 volunteers help with the 100 daily seminars and multiple style shows during the four day show. Some 30,000 plus attendees, from across the United States and Canada, make the annual trek to this show to experience the seminars, styles shows and 300 plus vendors.

Lessie Tompkins is Program Manager for the Clothing and Textile Advisors. Contact Lessie 253.798.3255 for more information.

Adult Sewing Classes

Clothing and Textile Advisors teach weekly adult sewing classes throughout the year. As a team CTA volunteers teach workshops using their collective knowledge to help the students. The class sites are located across the county and reach out to low-income, diverse adults. Some reside in public housing, are military family members, immigrants, refugees, and rural community residents. Although as many as five languages can be spoken in a class, we have found sewing to be a visual activity and students are able to transcend the language differences. Non-English speaking individuals are encouraged to attend.

Each sewing class offers instructions plus the use of sewing machines, donated fabrics, notions and patterns. While the focus of the classes are to provide opportunities for students to learn new sewing skills as they make projects beneficial to them, their family or home, it is also important to keep projects within their skill level to ensure they have positive experiences. Each project builds on the skills developed during completion of past projects.

For information on replicating this program in your area, contact Lessie Tompkins, 253.798.3255.

 

Salishan
Portland Avenue Community Center
3513 Portland Ave
Tacoma WA

Working with World Vision
Classes are held every Thursday
Mornings 9:30 a.m. - noon and
Afternoons 12:30 - 3:00 p.m

Volunteers work with multi-cultural, low-income individuals in a sewing workshop environment. Beginner projects are available for non-sewers to learn the basics. More advanced students select their project with the guidance of CTA volunteers. With each project the student undertakes they learn something new. Equipment, fabric, patterns and notions are provided.

 

Sumner
Family Center
1503 Valley Ave
Sumner WA 98390

Classes are held every Wednesday
9:45 am - 12:30 pm
No classes in summer

The class is structured as a sewing workshop environment with planned projects each student makes. Additional projects are selected with the guidance of CTA volunteer instructors. With each project the student undertakes they learn something new. Equipment, fabric, patterns and notions are provided or students may bring their own. As a team CTAs teach these workshops and use their collective knowledge to help the students. Non-English speaking individuals are encouraged to attend.

Tillicum
American Lake Community Center
14916 Washington Ave SW
Lakewood (Tillicum) WA

Classes are held on Fridays
9:15 am - noon
No class on 3rd Friday of the month

The American Lake Community Center houses the weekly sewing workshop. The facility offers a large bright room with lots of tables to work on.

The volunteers work with young military wives and local residents. Beginner projects are available for non-sewers to learn the basics. Students with past sewing experience select their project with the guidance of CTA volunteers. With each project the student undertakes they learn something new. Sewing machines, fabric, patterns and notions are provided. As a team CTAs teach these workshop and use their collective knowledge to help the students.

Want to attend this class? Contact Lessie Tompkins, 253.798.3255.

Lacamas Community Center
32113 Eighth Ave South
Roy WA

The facility offers a large room with lots of tables to work on. Volunteers work with local residents. Students bring their own sewing equipment, fabric, patterns and notions. Students select their project with the guidance of CTA volunteers. Beginner projects are available for non-sewers to learn the basics. With each project the student undertakes they learn something new. As a team CTAs teach these workshop and use their collective knowledge to help the students.

Contact Lessie Tompkins, 253.798.3255 for time and place.

Contact us: 253-798-7180| Accessibility | Copyright | Policies
Address: 3049 South 36th, Suite 300 Tacoma, WA 98409 | Driving Directions

Cooperating agencies: Washington State University, U.S Department of Agriculture, and Pierce County. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.