Sewing Workshop at Learning Oasis

My association with Learning Oasis goes back since 2015. Fast forward to 2018, this is my second year teaching sewing for primary children age 11-13 for their vocational week. This year, their coordinator requested that I do an Up-Cycle Project. I had 3 boys and 2 girls in class and I’m pleasantly suprised to find the boys were enjoying the class more and successfully finished all the projects that I’ve set up for them. 

They had to bring unused jeans from home and for the next 4 days we use the jeans and upcycle them to make various items.

This is Muhammad’s first time behind the sewing machine

Azman is back for the second year

Check out the focus

 Day 1, 2nd May 2018. Project: Simple reversible sling bag

Day 2, 3 May 2018. Project: Reversible Sunhat

Day 3, 4 May 2018. Project: Simple Pencil Pouch

Day 4: 5 May 2018; Project: Faux Midori aka Zidori.

Thank you Learning Oasis Principal; Puan Muthla, coordinator; Hamizatun, primary teachers, Teacher Nurul and Teacher Ain and the primary children, Muhammad, Azman, Eric, Batrisya and Aqilah for making my time at Learning Oasis an enjoyable one.

Sew Savvy Workshop At Learning Oasis

I have been busy working with a group of teenagers last week (30 March 2015-3 April 2015) in a sewing workshop I dubbed "Sew Savvy Workshop". The theme of the workshop is "upcycle" where they upcycle old denim into something usable. 

There was a total of 11 participants for the workshop and I put together a sewing kit pouch for each of them to get them started.

The first day of the class, they get to explore the sewing machine hands on and did a series of practise sheets on paper. I am glad to report that they found it interesting and fun finding their way around the machine.

Day 2 of the workshop, I had a flat tyre episode on a 3 lane highway. It was very scary to be stuck by the roadside with cars zooming past you while waiting for help to come. Alhamdulillah, a highway patrol rider came and help me change the tyre. Thank you Encik Yusuf for the assistance. May Allah give you ease in your daily affairs.

Day 3 and 4 went like a blur because the participants has already started on their project. We had penny board bag project, drawstring backpack, owlie purse and sunglasses pouch going on all at the same time. 

Oh, there were boys too in the workshop and they can actually handle the machine quite well as some of them are currently taking driving lessons. Controlling the speed of the machine with the food pedal was easy for them and they can stitch up pretty decent straight lines on the practise sheet.

As we wind down for the last day of the workshop, I managed to take a few selfies with some of them and their finished work. 

I love every moment working with this wonderful group of youngsters. I learned a lot from them and enjoy seeing the light  in their eyes as we put together their project and see how everything falls together. The icing on the cake was they immediately wear the bags that they made.

The 5 day journey has come to a great end but it's not the end. It's just a beginning as the principal of the centre is keen to have the sewing workshop as a once a week after school project following a favorable response from the participants. Alhamdulillah. That would keep me busy and help fill my umrah funds, InsyaAllah.