Local Girl Scouts Learn New Tips and Tricks at Mary Jo's

This past weekend the Girl Scouts of Peaks to Piedmont joined Mary Jo’s for a specialized beginner class designed to inspire the love of sewing in younger generations.

During the first class session, the girls learned sewing basics while creating their own pillowcases. The hope is to expose these young girls to a set of skills that has been on the decline for the past two decades, and in doing so foster a hobby or talent they can be proud of. It has been too long since a Girl Scout was able to sew her own badge onto her sash.

These classes, the first of their kind at Mary Jo’s, are part of a new trend that is sweeping across the nation. Aimee Griffin, Mary Jo’s Sewing Director, said the store’s traditionally older clientele, is now being joined by clients in their teens, 20s and 30s. The trend isn’t stopping there.

“We had a full class of young ladies anxious to create their own pillowcase, and a few moms who decided to stay and learn,” said Jessica Trimmer, Mary Jo’s class instructor who worked with the Girl Scouts. “Every girl, and mom, in attendance not only learned how to use their machines, but also completed their first pillowcase.” 

Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont is one of 112 councils across the nation that offers the Girl Scout program to girls ages 5-17. With service centers and shops in Asheville, Gastonia, Hickory and the Triad area, as well as a satellite shop in Winston-Salem, GSCP2P serves nearly 24,000 girls and adults.

Next month’s installment of classes is on Thursday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 9. Girl Scouts of all ages are encouraged to join. For more information about the Girl Scouts and registering for Mary Jo’s classes visit www.girlscoutsp2p.org.

Time to Bring the Sewing Machines out of Storage

Sewing makes a comeback among a younger generation

For generations the art of sewing has been handed down from family member to family member. Over the past several decades, the time honored tradition of a mother passing her sewing machine to her daughter has almost disappeared entirely. This skill, which was common among most grandmothers, suffered a decline during the later part of the 20^th century.

Things are changing. Aimee Griffin, Mary Jo’s Cloth Store’s Sewing Director, said the store’s traditional older clientele are now being joined by clients in their teens, 20s and 30s.

Makinzy and Andrea.

During Mary Jo’s inaugural holiday event earlier this month, 9-year-old Makinzy accompanied by her grandmother Jeanette, saved her money to buy her first sewing machine. 

Excited about making her purchase, Makinzy saved $100, just enough for the BL9 Baby Lock machine. The entire team at Mary Jo’s was so taken with this little girl’s enthusiasm for sewing that they presented her with a $500 machine instead.

‘The look on her face was priceless,’ said Andrea, the Mary Jo’s team member who sold Makinzy her machine. ‘To have someone that young and excited about sewing, it is inspiring to us!’

A lot of young mothers now want to learn how to sew clothes and make curtains or quilts for their families. Whether it has been spurned on by Pinterest (an online website which features multiple do-it-yourself projects), or by the national economic climate, an increased interest in sewing is evident.

Starting this weekend, Mary Jo’s and the Girl Scouts Peaks to Piedmont organization are partnering together to launch a series of sewing classes specifically tailored to the Girl Scouts. The hope is to inspire younger girls with a passion for sewing and creating. It has been too long since a Girl Scout was able to sew her own badge onto her sash.

Check back for more information on the Girl Scouts and their classes. Also if you are interested in signing up for a class the online schedule can be found at maryjos.com/sewing-class-schedule.