Return of home-ec

PHELAN • With traditional home economics classes a thing of the past, it recently dawned on Heritage School teacher Marilyn Houston that her middle schoolers were missing out on learning a lifelong skill: sewing.

“When I got to thinking, I felt that sewing in junior high changed my life,” said Houston, who continues to sew her own outfits today.

This school year Houston joined with a few other teachers to form the Home Economics Club, and now every Thursday afternoon a group of pre-teens gathers in a classroom to sew, snip, measure and stitch their projects to the happy hum of sewing machines.

“I wanted to learn how to sew because it’s a good skill to know later on in life,” said club member Jillian Beardsley, 13.

The course also serves philanthropic needs in the community. Students create two projects each: one to keep for themselves, and one to donate to local charities.

Last week students finished stitching receiving blankets to send to local charities helping expecting parents.

“I’m definitively getting the hang of it,” said Beardsley, who completed a white, flannel receiving blanket decorated with ducks and frogs.

For the full story, read Wednesday's edition of the Daily Press. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755 or click here.

Natasha Lindstrom may be reached at (760) 951-6232 or at nlindstrom@VVDailyPress.com.

How to help
The Heritage School Sewing Club is in need of fabric, supplies and donations to lower activity fees and allow more children to participate.

To donate call the school office at (760) 868-2422.