SLAAMB introduces four-week sewing course
Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer
The Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB) has introduced a four-week sewing course. Accommodating three individuals, the course is focused on giving students the skills of art and craft relating to interior designing.
The course is being run in collaboration with SLAAMB’s carpentry program in Hudson, where one six bedroom duplex was just officially opened. Construction is underway on a second six bedroom duplex. The sewing group will be developing traditional themed curtains, blankets, quilts and pillowcases for the new duplex.
SLAAMB Assistant Coordinator Ziggy Beardy said, “We had a carpenter training program here and this is our second year. We had completed the first duplex for student residence. But we ran into some issues like once the students move in, what kind of bedding, covers and window blinds, will be used. That’s when the idea came up of running a short-term home decor sewing program.”
Participants will receive both theoretical knowledge and hands on training to gain the basic understanding of interior home design and sewing practices, furthering their interests, skills development and potential job opportunities. Gail Green, the teacher leading the sewing program, said, “Sewing is a lifelong skill. Once you know how to operate a machine, you can pretty much sew anything. There are six rooms, so we make six clones and you can see the improvement from the first one to the last one sewed.”
“Looking at it today, it’s been quite a success and we see the fruits of this program. As it’s winding down this week, I feel that we have met our objectives on it,” said Beardy. Scott Meekis, a trainee of the carpentry program who was a part of building the first duplex and has been residing in it since last week, said, “The work that they did is amazing. The bed covers and curtains makes it look very nice, helps make it look homey.”
“There’s a possibility of having another home decor interior design sewing type of program, concentrating on turning out skilled people who will be interested in home decoration. That opportunity is there, we just have to gain the interest of the people and the community around us and see if we could run a program just by itself,” beardy added.