Volunteers will share their textile skills and support staff in leading a fun program inspired by historical quilt block patterns. By the end of the series, participants will create a small quilt made up of all the blocks they have completed. In each session, volunteers will help students construct a 12-inch block using templates and a few modern techniques. To assist with these sessions, volunteers should have a textile qualification and be capable of guiding participants in using sewing machines, laying out patterns, and developing basic sewing skills.
Volunteers for this opportunity will be supporting the staff during a public program, and it DOES NOT REQUIRE PERIOD APPAREL!
Impact
The individuals who volunteer their time and talents in the textile area help make it possible for others to experience these 19th-century skills that are still relevant today, create interest in these skills, enhance a more personalized experience in a program, and allow us to create beautiful items that have a function at the farm. Volunteers allow the interpretive teams to help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm.
Tasks
- Assist with set up and prep for the class
- Greet and welcome participants to class and get them signed in.
- Volunteers will support the instructor and students new to sewing and sewing machines.
- Support and assist staff or participants with cutting out the pattern, simple sewing by hand and machine, and threading the needle.
- Support and assist participants with sewing projects, changing sewing and bobbin thread, and learning parts of our sewing machines.
- Support and assist participants in putting quilt blocks and pattern together,
- Assist the staff lead in creating a better learning environment for this interactive opportunity, and give participants the encouragement needed to do a new skill.
- Volunteers will be paired with a student, ages 10-17, and will assist with instructions and the use of the sewing machine.
- Assist with the clean-up of the program.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-term. Learn more about our types of service here.
- Volunteers must have completed the Textile qualification and the Skills Assessment - Sewing . You can review, so you are prepared to ask questions, clarify any part of the assessment, and help demonstrate skills.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark. Volunteers will arrive 1/2 hour prior to the start of the program. Parking is available in the Visitor Center lot, and volunteers should enter the Visitor Center and go to the Textile space to the left once they enter the building. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place indoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. There will be sharp objects, knitting machines, looms, sewing machines, and other items that require you to be careful and work safely in a small space.
- Programming background information related to sewing:
- Life in the 1800s on the Farm - Sewing
- Textile: Carriage Hill Historic Farm - Willcox & Gibbs Hand Crank Sewing Machine
- Let’s Sew: Darning and Weaving
- Programming background information related to sewing:
- Dress: Volunteers do not need to wear period apparel. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt.
Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Skilled Trades and Programming Volunteer Positions for more information on volunteer opportunities with us.
Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers.
Thank you for volunteering!
