TAHLEQUAH — “Take it slow, that’s right, practice, practice, practice, and you can do it,” said Carolyn Wallace, a volunteer at the 4-H Sewing Camp Monday morning.

Years ago, learning to sew was something all little girls used to do. Area youth who want to learn the art of cutting fabric and sewing together clothing or a blanket, may participate in the 4-H Sewing Camp this week.

Tuesday morning, sewing machines were on tables waiting, some still in boxes. Sewing kits with thread, scissors and fabric were at the ready to inspire small creative hands. Snacks and lunch waited on another table.

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Educator Heather Winn  and several volunteers greeted 17 eager girls who came to sewing camp.

“You’ll learn to sew, but also about sewing equipment for judging contests during the county fair,” Winn said. “And you can enter what you make.”

Winn advised participants to be mindful of their teachers.

“Remember, respect your instructors,” she said. “If they ask you to do something say, ‘of course, I would love to do that.’ Sometimes you may have to rip out a seam, so you can get it as perfect as possible to enter in the fair. You can’t wear shorts if you don’t sew all the seams.”

The girls were practicing on paper first, to get a feel for the sewing machines.

“Some of you girls brought your own machines,” Winn said. “It’s always best to learn on your own machine, if you have one, so you can learn it, where the buttons and different dials and switches are.”

Volunteer Etta Harper used to sew clothes for all four of her daughters.

“I’m a grandmother and great-grandmother, and I came so they’d have enough volunteers,” Harper said. “I took home economics. I can show them how to cut it out and finish it.

All girls need to learn how to sew, Harper said.

“It will save them a lot of money, and they’ll know how to be a good homemaker,” she said. “Girls need to know how to be keeper of the home; to cook and all.”

First-time volunteer Sherri Bell, member of Aprons and Lace Home and Community Education Club, said she absolutely loves to sew.

“And I love to be around young people, it keeps me young,” said Bell.

Bonnie Smith, with the Park Hill HCE Club, has volunteered for years with the sewing camp.

“Sewing is becoming a lost art, and we need to foster it and promote it,” Smith said. “I like to create things and take a piece of fabric and make something out of it.”

Sewing camp is a good way to teach young people the value of sewing, said Ann Lamons, also with the Park Hill club and a longtime volunteer.

“We used to make our own projects and be proud of them – quilts, pillows, clothes, all the things you can make,” Lamons said. “It’s sad to see the fabric going out of Walmart.”

Lamons was teaching first-time sewing camper Alexis Pavey, 10.

“My mom wanted me to learn how to sew because almost everyone in my family knows how to sew,” Pavey said.

Ashley McCartney, 13, likes to make items to show in the county fair.

“I’ve made a lot of stuff, a pillow case, apron, tote bag, scrunchies, a skirt, but this is my first time to make a blanket,” McCartney said. “It’s fun to show them in the fair.”

Maegen Wallace, 15, has been to several sewing camps. She likes making different projects and having fun with friends, she said.

“They help us learn to sew in a simple way and if you need help, they’ll stop and help you. If your machine messes up they know how to fix it.”

Her grandmother, Carolyn Wallace, said she used to love to sew, but doesn’t have time anymore.

“Fabric and patterns are so expensive. You can buy clothes cheaper than you can make them,” Wallace said. “I used to make clothes for my daughters and I made quilts.”

4-H teaches basic life skills, Winn said.

“I believe knowing how to sew should be a life skill,” said Winn. “At least you should be able to know how to sew on a button when you go to college.”