Monday afternoon teachers and staff members at Columbia Elementary School were treated to "Pillows and Punch," as part of the 21st Century Grant and the X-STREAM afterschool program.
A Window Affair, based in Sumrall, recently donated swatches of fabric to the school. Someone mentioned the program to an employee and the store had swatches of material that were no longer available to purchase, so it made sense to give it to a home economics program to be used.
"I'm totally amazed and in awe that they took it and did such a beautiful job," Lovey Wilkes from A Window Affair said at the event.
Teacher Emily Ray Knight decided to use the fabric to teach the students how to make pillows. From the grant, the school was able to purchase some beginner sewing machines and the necessary tools needed to make them. The students learned how to measure, cut fabric, how to thread a bobbin and use sewing machines.
"She took a group of kids who have never done anything like this and created something amazing," Whittington said of Knight.
Through the program, Whittington said young ladies fell in love with sewing. She said several parents called her around Christmas time to ask about the machines and get more information so they could purchase sewing machines for their daughters.
Teachers and staff members were able to "browse" through the selection of pillows Monday and choose one to keep for Valentine’s Day. The students stood by and watched as the teachers made their way through the selection.
The adults enjoyed punch and snacks as well.
Whittington said Knight was an exquisite seamstress, and sewing is a passion for her. This was a project she was able to take and run with while instilling a love for the long-lost skill in several students.
X-STREAM stands for science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and music. The program is designed to provide after-school time and cannot involve activities during regular school hours. It focuses on broadening enrichment activities for kids and families in several areas, including entrepreneurial education, character education, arts and music, according to site director Danielle Whittington when she spoke to the Columbia Rotary Club last year. One of the activities the students can participate in is home economics.
