POWERGRAMS

5 COMMUNITY When Gary Walker sat down at a sewing machine for the first time about 18 months ago, he said it was "intimidating." Now Walker is stitching pillows, blankets and other items like he has been sewing all his life. "I had never been behind a sewing machine, ever. It was a skill that guys just didn't think about," said Walker. "I didn't even know how to turn the thing on. It was like learning how to drive a car or a rocket, but you're driving a sewing machine." When the Birmingham man heard about Bib & Tucker Sew- Op's training program in 2016, he signed up, wanting to learn the basics of sewing buons and repairing his clothing. The Bib & Tucker Woodlawn Sewing Training is a community-based program designed to teach the art of sewing and provide people with a skill they can use to generate extra income. Since completing the training, Walker has continued to sew and now has a machine at home. He has joined Bib & Tucker's Tuesday sewing group, where members work on projects – many of which benefit the community. Walker has made blankets for Alzheimer's patients and baby quilts for the neonatal unit of UAB Hospital. Walker said, thanks to the training, he feels at home with a needle in hand. "It was really fun," he said. "Everyone was so patient with me and gave me lots of tips. When I see something I've finished, it really helps build my confidence and self-esteem. I think, 'I can do this.'" Bib & Tucker Sew-Op grew out of a dream shared by Lillis Taylor and Annie Bryant. When the two became friends four years ago, they wanted to learn to sew but for different reasons. Bryant was looking for a new hobby, while Taylor hoped to use sewing for income. Aer mastering the skill, Taylor and Bryant decided to broaden their vision to include the community and founded the sew-op. Their goal, Taylor said, is to introduce sewing activities and classes that promote "empowerment, education and economic opportunities." "Sewing is a lost art, but the do-it-yourself movement is bringing sewing interests back. We are just following that trend," Taylor said. Creating jobs one stitch at a time The Woodlawn training, launched three years ago at Bib & Tucker's Birmingham-area facility, is the organization's first step toward building a coage industry where people can stitch items at home for sale to manufacturers and wholesalers. "The idea is that local residents could use the program to generate income," Taylor said. "Anyone can participate, but it's especially geared for people on disability, or those with children, who can't work 9 to 5." The free training is offered biannually. Participants are required to complete 80 hours of training at Bib & Tucker and then are given volunteer sewing projects benefiting the community. To get them started, the trainees each receive a sewing kit, with scissors, measuring tape, seam rippers, pincushions A Stitch in Time GRANT AIDS TRAINING THAT TEACHES SEWING, SELF-CONFIDENCE by Carla Davis Executive Director Taylor Photos by David Macon

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