Summer Scholars: Sew Original!
Learning to sew supports creativity while offering a hands-on entry point into engineering and design. In this beginner workshop for ages 7-14, participants choose a pattern and sew their own tote bag or apron while exploring how sewing machines work and why they were revolutionary. Most modern machines use a lockstitch mechanism, invented in the 1800s, that pulls thread through fabric using both a top needle and a bottom bobbin. These small mechanical loops are what hold most of our clothing together. By making something useful with their own hands, learners gain confidence, fine motor skills, and a new appreciation for textile arts and history. – No sewing experience necessary. Registration required.
Self-Directed Learning
How can a sewing machine stitch fabric without the needle going all the way through? Discover the engineering behind modern machines, from the invention of the lockstitch to the role of rotating hooks and feed dogs. Learn how inventors transformed a simple hand tool into a device that revolutionized clothing production, domestic labor, and global industry. Paired with an introductory sewing workshop, this video supports experiential learning in textile arts and encourages self-directed exploration of mechanical engineering, design, and cultural history.
What other everyday tools rely on simple mechanical systems to perform complex tasks—and how might understanding them change the way we use them?
