10/30/2025 Lan Ali-Adeeb
The kids learned how to make pillowcases with their own fabric choices of colors and prints. They even got to take home the pillowcases and some of them will use it for Halloween trick-or-treating. It was such a delightful afternoon to spend with young students.
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10/23/2025 Lan Ali-Adeeb
Our 2nd class was equally fun. Marj demoed an antique chain stitch Wilcox and Gibbs sewing machine from 1858 that raised intrigue in both students and teachers. Most of our students finished making small pouches, about 12”x15”, that they will use to keep their sewing materials and unfinished projects.
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10/16/2025 Lan Ali-Adeeb
Stitching the Future: Launch of the LLQG/LLES Sewing Club (2025/2026)
Stitching the Future: Launch of the LLQG/LLES Sewing Club (2025/2026)
It all started in March 2025 when Kelly Bonfante and Megan Handy—the teacher and Director of the after-school enrichment program at Lower Lake Elementary School—reached out to us through our website with a fantastic idea: a sewing class for students. What better way to share the art form we love with the next generation?
As a guild, we're already committed to giving back through quilting—creating baby quilts for new parents at Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake, comfort quilts for local residential homes, and heartfelt donations for disaster victims. So, when the opportunity came to pass on our skills to young makers, we were all in.
A Club is Born
After six months of careful planning and preparation by 10 dedicated guild volunteers—Marj Sweeney, Rene Schultz-Hein, Suzanne Hoyt, Debbie Strickler, Linda Debolt, Martha Ball, Kathy Verstoppen, Theresa Dapiran, Jane Smith, and Lan Ali-Adeeb—the Lower Lake Elementary School Sewing Club officially launched on Thursday, October 16, 2025. We were thrilled to welcome our first group of enthusiastic young sewists!
The Fall session runs from October 16 to November 20, meeting every Thursday from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. Details for Spring and Summer sessions will be posted on both the LLQG and LLES websites soon—stay tuned!
A Warm Welcome
The first day came with a mix of excitement and first-day jitters, especially for those of us leading the club for the first time. Fortunately, Jane Smith—a guild member and LLES teacher—created a helpful "Teacher Cheat Sheet" to help guide us. And retired 4th grade teacher Kathy Verstoppen gave a wonderful introduction, helping students and teachers connect with ease. Her thoughtful approach made students feel comfortable enough to share their questions and ideas right away. It was a joy to witness their enthusiasm.
What’s Ahead
We began by reviewing classroom rules and safety guidelines, then introduced students to sewing tools and the basic parts of a sewing machine. To spark their creativity, we shared the exciting projects they’ll be working on—where they’ll pick and personalize their project with fabric colors and prints from stacks of pre-cut fabrics:
To build confidence, students practiced sewing straight lines—first on paper without thread, then with thread, and finally on fabric scraps. By the end of class, our youngest member, a 9-year-old 4th grader, proudly completed a small 6"x4" fabric bag. It was a wonderful moment that showed just how quickly these students are learning and growing.
More Than Just Sewing
Our Sewing Club is about more than fabric and thread. It’s about building creativity, confidence, and the joy of making something with your own hands. We’re excited to see where this journey takes our students—and we’re proud to be part of it.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this first day a success. We look forward to many more inspiring afternoons with our talented young makers.
A special thanks to an anonymous donor, a friend of Marty Ball’s, who donated the funds that allowed us to print color copies of the Sewing Club student booklets.
As a guild, we're already committed to giving back through quilting—creating baby quilts for new parents at Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake, comfort quilts for local residential homes, and heartfelt donations for disaster victims. So, when the opportunity came to pass on our skills to young makers, we were all in.
A Club is Born
After six months of careful planning and preparation by 10 dedicated guild volunteers—Marj Sweeney, Rene Schultz-Hein, Suzanne Hoyt, Debbie Strickler, Linda Debolt, Martha Ball, Kathy Verstoppen, Theresa Dapiran, Jane Smith, and Lan Ali-Adeeb—the Lower Lake Elementary School Sewing Club officially launched on Thursday, October 16, 2025. We were thrilled to welcome our first group of enthusiastic young sewists!
The Fall session runs from October 16 to November 20, meeting every Thursday from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. Details for Spring and Summer sessions will be posted on both the LLQG and LLES websites soon—stay tuned!
A Warm Welcome
The first day came with a mix of excitement and first-day jitters, especially for those of us leading the club for the first time. Fortunately, Jane Smith—a guild member and LLES teacher—created a helpful "Teacher Cheat Sheet" to help guide us. And retired 4th grade teacher Kathy Verstoppen gave a wonderful introduction, helping students and teachers connect with ease. Her thoughtful approach made students feel comfortable enough to share their questions and ideas right away. It was a joy to witness their enthusiasm.
What’s Ahead
We began by reviewing classroom rules and safety guidelines, then introduced students to sewing tools and the basic parts of a sewing machine. To spark their creativity, we shared the exciting projects they’ll be working on—where they’ll pick and personalize their project with fabric colors and prints from stacks of pre-cut fabrics:
- A drawstring pouch to hold their in-progress work
- A personalized pillowcase
- A quilted Christmas stocking made possible by Pat Dandy’s generous donations
To build confidence, students practiced sewing straight lines—first on paper without thread, then with thread, and finally on fabric scraps. By the end of class, our youngest member, a 9-year-old 4th grader, proudly completed a small 6"x4" fabric bag. It was a wonderful moment that showed just how quickly these students are learning and growing.
More Than Just Sewing
Our Sewing Club is about more than fabric and thread. It’s about building creativity, confidence, and the joy of making something with your own hands. We’re excited to see where this journey takes our students—and we’re proud to be part of it.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this first day a success. We look forward to many more inspiring afternoons with our talented young makers.
A special thanks to an anonymous donor, a friend of Marty Ball’s, who donated the funds that allowed us to print color copies of the Sewing Club student booklets.
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