Sewing to cover a need
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 28, 2012 1:46 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Rosewood Middle School seventh-grader Paige Radford sews a bag in Darlene DeBruine's family and consumer science classroom. The bags will be donated to the Sterling House.
Full Size
News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Rosewood Middle School seventh-grader Annie Arthur watches as Darlene DeBruine, family and consumer science teacher, threads the needle of her sewing machine while making a shower bag. The bags will be donated to the Sterling House.
Darlene DeBruine is always looking for fun ways to teach her life skills classes.
The family and consumer science teacher at Rosewood Middle School, surrounded by a bank of sewing machines, animatedly shared her latest project -- having students sew toiletry bags for residents of Sterling House in Goldsboro.
"The Rosewood Walmart donated the fabric and Jeanne Cottle, an instructional assistant at the school, donated handles for the bags," she said.
The canvas and polyester remnants were perfect for the "shower bag" project for Sterling House, she said.
"I had a little boy in my sixth-grade class, he and his mom volunteered there and I thought this would be a great idea for my skills class," she explained.
The whole thing probably took about 15 minutes to make, said seventh-grader Stalen Massengill.
"It was fun," chimed in classmate Brianna Tolley.
Other seventh-graders agreed.
"I learned a lot because I didn't know how to sew at first," said Xan Pate, adding, "I feel good that I'm giving it to people that need it."
"I liked that we were giving it to charity," said Brittany Best.
Geoffrey Brooks said he appreciated being able to do something for others. But it was not his first time sewing. He said he had previously made several pillows.
Kiara Ornelas said, "It was fun helping other people and making the purse and they came out so cute."
"It was a satchel, not a purse," Geoffrey was quick to point out.
The trickiest part was learning to operate the unfamiliar parts of the sewing machine, several said.
"It was really fun but it was kind of hard because you had the (foot) pedals, you had to do right, I think if you go too fast," said Joy Garcia. "I was kind of scared."
She, along with Jessica Conger, said they did have one advantage in starting the project -- both have mothers who sew.
"I have watched her and I have done a lot of embroidering," said Joy.
"I do it with my mom," Jessica said. "She teaches me how to sew pants and redo purses that are broken. She taught me how to sew my first communion dress. We did my dress and veil. She makes almost all my dresses."
Mrs. DeBruine said now that the sewing project has been completed, she will make arrangements to have the 45 bags delivered to their new owners.