Sewing Camp sparks creativity and community for youth

Theatre Northwest has been hosting the camp for more than a decade.

Theatre Northwest is once again hosting its annual Sewing Camp, introducing young people to a practical skill that encourages creativity, self-expression and community building. About 50 students of all ages have registered for this year's camps, which run from June 29 to July 24. Designed for participants of all experience levels, the camps teach everything from basic sewing machine operation to more advanced skills, including taking measurements, reading pattern pieces and making basic garment alterations.

Theatre Northwest says the program also helps develop creativity, fine motor skills, problem-solving, independence and planning. Students take home completed projects ranging from plushies, beanies, bags and fabric envelopes to larger items such as dresses. The program has become one of Theatre Northwest's most popular summer offerings, with many students returning year after year.

One of those returning students is 11-year-old Charlotte Belcher, who attended the mixed-level sewing camp. "I started hand sewing when I was eight because I was in Girl Guides," Belcher said. "My first year of sewing camp was last year when I was 10, and since then I've been doing hand sewing very often at after-school care.

I only machine sew at sewing camp." Nine-year-old Mabel Jepson attended this year's camp after friends encouraged her to sign up. She said she enjoys both the creative process and learning to use a sewing machine.

"I like how the sewing machine works, and I like just cutting out the fabric and doing the craft," Jepson said. "So far I've cut out my pieces for my narwhal and I'm just about to sew them." Jepson proudly showed The Citizen the narwhal plushie she was creating.

Accessibility co-ordinator Heidi Klepsch has taught Theatre Northwest's sewing camps since 2021. She said one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching students gain confidence as they develop new skills. "I loved seeing the friendships develop between the students over the week," Klepsch said.

"Seeing people who came in not knowing how to sew or being really intimidated by the machine realize this is something they can do, and seeing how proud they are of their projects, was always really lovely." Klepsch said the program encourages young people to develop a valuable life skill that could even lead to future opportunities in theatre. "Our hope is that we can teach local young people how to sew and that some of them might be inspired to pursue the skill and one day want to work for us in wardrobe or as a costume designer," Klepsch said.

"Prince George needs more homegrown artistic talent and, of course, for our productions, artistic talent is more than just the actors on stage." She told The Citizen sewing is a skill participants can use throughout their lives while providing a creative outlet. One of her favourite memories involved a group of young campers who became determined to make accessories for their stuffed animals.

"Even with our youngest group, once they realize that they can put two pieces of fabric together and make a thing, they get so excited," Klepsch said. "There was a group of girls who just wanted to make pillows for their stuffed animals, and so they just went pillow crazy and made so many pillows." Many of the fabrics, supplies and even some of the sewing machines used in the camps have been donated by community members over the years.

"We purchased most of the machines that we still have in use here about 10 years ago," Klepsch said. "But about a third of the machines are donations from community members, and then all of our fabric, buttons, thread and tools like scissors and pins come from really generous community members who had excess fabric or, for example, whose grandmother passed away and left an extensive collection of sewing equipment. People have brought that to us in hopes that we can use it, and we certainly do.

We couldn't do this without the support and generosity of the community." Anyone wishing to donate sewing supplies can drop them off in the Theatre Northwest lobby during regular operating hours. The following camps still have spaces available: Mixed Level Sewing - July 20 to 24 - 9 a.m. to noon - Ages 10 and older Using a Pattern (Advanced) - July 20 to 24 - 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Ages 10 and older To register for a Theatre Northwest Sewing Camp, visit the registration link or call the Theatre Northwest box office at 250-563-6969.