Anse Etoile school girls try their hands at sewing in Esa holiday programme |21 August 2020

The sewing course in full swing (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

A group of around 10 P5 and P6 school girls from Anse Etoile have tried their hands at basic sewing during a school holiday programme initiated by Enterprise Seychelles Agency (Esa).

The aim of the three-day basic sewing course which kicked off on Monday took place at the Anse Etoile primary school. Its aims are to help the young girls develop an interest and passion for the sewing profession and to build their self-confidence in their newly found skills.

The group of curious and excited girls, all with no notion of sewing, have been introduced for the first time to a sewing machine on a one-to-one session under strict supervision.

Under the guidance and watchful eyes of Esa’s experienced sewing instructor Brenda Lepathy, the girls received detailed instructions of how to go about threading a sewing machine. They learned how to make different decorative stitches for patchworks as well as for different hems. They learned how to make the stitches both by hand as well as with a sewing machine.

They were also fascinated by the different ways to sew button holes as well as the buttons and different other fasteners and clasps for both ladies’ garments and men’s trousers.

Ms Lepathy also showed them how to take measurements before cutting the different parts of a garment.  

“It was really fun and I really had a great time. It was a wonderful experience for me and I wish we could have more sewing sessions,” said Amy Barbe, one of the girls.

She said she has learnt a number of things especially patching using decorating machine stitches.

Most of the girls said they look forward to follow more such sewing lessons in the future.

Debra Forte, an art teacher at Anse Etoile school, also attended the sewing session. She said it will come in handy in her art classes.

“Having some knowledge and understanding of sewing and the different stitches is important for the pupils so that whenever they or their colleagues are involved in a tussle or their clothes get snagged, they could easily know what stitches to use,” Ms Lepathy pointed out.

She said so far she has held sewing classes for adults but the interest of the young girls have surpassed her expectation.

“They are really interested and have shown a great desire to learn how to sew,” she remarked.

At the end of the three days the girls received a certificate which is expected to help gear more students towards the tailoring and fashion business in the future.

Marie-Anne Lepathy