Sewing: Extremely Easy at FWS

By Amanda Gabryszak

Most people know that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, recently rolled through town. They completely demolished a house and built a new one from scratch, improving the area as they went along. What most people do not know, however, is that a local sewing teacher was the head seamstress for the show.     

Tracey Palisano, a sewing teacher for adults at FWS as well as a private instructor for children, got pulled into the position. She worked with a group of sixteen women, sewing non-stop for 12-16 hours per day. "We started Tuesday morning, and had everything installed by Friday night," she says of the Makeover job. "It was quite a feat."

As a teacher who works with people from age 6 and up, she took a lot away from the experience. "It taught me, 'wow, I can really work fast.'  We all learned a lot from each other." Palisano adds, "I would love to work with these women again on another project. We all bonded."

The entire project involved over 4,500 volunteers, giving worn-down houses in the neighborhood new siding, landscaping, piping, and other numerous things to help better the community. "It was one of the largest amount of volunteers for Extreme Makeover, ever," says FWS store-owner, Rick Zakalik.

The store played a large role in the project. They donated fabrics, some of the rugs, and other supplies. "To have someone pay to do this would have cost tens of thousands of dollars," according to Zakalik. "It's been great working with Tracey - with people who accomplished something for this family."

Yet large projects like Extreme Makeover are not the only places to find people interested in sewing. "There is more of an interest in recycling, in the green revolution," Zakalik says. The classes the store offers to "teach a useful skill to people who want to learn. In today's economy, if you know how to make it yourself, you can save thousands of dollars."

By learning to sew at a young age, children learn how to listen and follow directions, as well as develop a skill that will stay with them for all their lives. It's fun, too. "They get to choose their own pattern," says Palisano, who also noted that the sewing students develop a sense of creativity. "They can make a dress out of tinfoil," he laughs. 

Just as it is fun, it is educational. Math-skills are also required. As children grow "they learn to adjust garments by using ratios," Palisano says. These skills carry into the adult classes also, as all sewing requires measuring.

The first two classes offered at FWS for adults were a great success. "People were thrilled that they made something," says Palisano. "It's easy when someone walks you through it."

The new classes are for two different kinds of Window Treatments: Drapery Panels and Roman Shades.  "Window treatments are different because they require more fabric, and are a more permanent fixture," according to Palisano.  "They are more challenging to make than the pillows, but that should not stop people from signing up.  People say,  'I don't know how to sew,' but once they take a class, they come out saying, 'That was easy!'"

Each class is $45 dollars, with a six-person limit on seating. Reservations are required.

The Drapery Panel class takes place on Wednesday, December 2nd, from 6-8PM, followed by one Wednesday, December 9th, from 6-8PM.

The Roman Shade class will take place on Thursday, December 3rd, from 6-8PM, with the second one on Thursday, December 10th, from 6-8PM.

These classes are beneficial, fun, and filled with creative ways to 'dress up your home for less'.