Sewing makes Julia happy and becoming a seamstress is one of her goals. She has done some sewing before, ‘done at school’. Now she is learning more at Enliven Disability Community Services, where she ‘last year first started’ as an adult. Michelle McKelvie from Enliven has been working alongside Julia who is quickly making her dream a reality.
To start off with, Julia’s goal was supported by Michelle who brought a sewing machine in from home. Julia then got her own machine individually funded by Napier City Council and Masonic. She first focused on sewing straight lines of stitches. Now that she has her own suitable machine she sews independently and at home with her mum. Lesson times have advanced and are about troubleshooting or adding new skills. Julia sometimes stops sewing at home over the holidays because ‘nieces and nephews, no good for their hands’. After the holidays she gets right back to her machine to work on her latest projects.
Everyone at Enliven notices that Julia has the highest quality work standards. Julia likes her work to be ‘just right’ and ‘even with her craft work, it’s perfect.’ Julia asked the team about unpicking a line of stitches because it wasn’t exactly how she wanted it and ‘it’s not even that bad, but Julia wanted it to be better.” The fabric for projects was from lessons at first, and today Julia shops for her own supplies at Spotlight Stores.
Julia’s machine is a Brother Innovis. It has no foot pedal attached so it can be operated with buttons using your hand. The thread can be cut automatically. Julia discovers new machine functions to suit her growing project needs, and has been learning how her machine can best work for her. For example, she’s been exploring the best way to pin her work.
Julia started with little projects in the beginning with the first one being a pillow cover that you can put a book in. Then came a bookmark that you can put a pen in, a tissue holder, bowl cosy, and the latest is a table runner. The ultimate end goal this year is to make a quilt cover. Julia is confident working on projects at home, including doing gathering with her mum as part of her dress design. Lessons are only one hour per week so it is great that Julia can work at home to finish projects when she wants to. The team say it’s been great to see the huge changes that Julia has made, how much she has grown in confidence, and they notice Julia’s joy when she has finished a project.
Julia has been attending Enliven Disability Community Services for three years. The past year she has moved quickly towards her main goal of becoming a seamstress, something she wants to do so that she can ‘make different things’. When asked how sewing makes her feel. She gives a thumbs up and says, ‘happy’.
What goal do you want to explore this year to reach your potential?
Tell us about the support you need. You can also ask other people that support you to talk to us about you.
- Email enlivendisablity@psec.org.nz
- Phone 06 844 4636
- Meet with us in person in Hawke’s Bay or contact us to arrange a video call appointment
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