WYOMING — The typically quiet library was abuzz with excited chatter and giggles on Sunday, Nov. 22.
Children and their families crowded in the Wyoming Free Library, eager to see the latest creations made by the crafty kids enrolled in the library’s sewing group.
The library held the Second Annual Sewing Club Fashion Show, outfitted with a makeshift runway, hors d’oeuvres, wine baskets and other treats for sale, and plenty of fashionable creations ready to be modeled by their designers: the kids.
“We’ve had this sewing group for the past three years,” said group founder, volunteer and head “Crafty Aunt” Rae Anusiewicz. “This show features some students from each (experience) level – some three (years), some two and some who are new learners to the program.”
The group has classes three times a week at the Wyoming Free Library. The class itself, funded by donations, is free to all participants – and it’s awfully popular, too.
“We currently have a wait-list for interested students,” Anusiewicz said. “We’re looking to add another section of the class due to the popular demand.”
The students are taught the fundamentals of sewing from the ground up. Beginning with patchwork pillows and moving on to purses, adding zippers and making full on suit jackets, the students are taught the skills they need to create whatever their hearts desire.
“The structure of the class is to allow the students to create whatever they want,” she said. “I provide them with the skill, they come to class with the ideas.”
The student designers and seamstresses were extremely excited to show off their hard work for the crowd.
“I’m in my third year and I love it,” said 10-year-old Jillian Rogish, a fifth grader from Wyoming. “I like that we can come and create whatever we can. I even got my own sewing machine for my birthday this year.”
The show itself featured a plethora of creations from the boys and girls in the program. Anything and everything was on display – from impressively tailored skirt/blazer combos, to elegant lace-trimmed throw pillows, to a large hanging laundry hamper with a zipper back and a monster-mouth opening deemed “Pinterest-worthy” by a crowd member. If the kids could dream it, they created it.
The “piece de resistance” and finale of the show was created by second-year student, 12-year-old Abbigail Schultz from Swoyersville.
She created a tea-length halter dress from organza with a sweetheart neckline and bow and in her own words: “It’s very fluttery.”
“We love this program,” library Director John Roberts said. “It brings more children into the library than any other program. Well, save for the Legos maybe,” he chuckled.
“The kids produce amazing things and they spread the word. They’re learning a valuable skill – sewing – and it helps foster literacy too. It’s great.”
