Beginning sewers learned essential elements of the age-old craft during a recent “Come Sew with Us” workshop led by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension agents and certified Master Clothing Volunteers. “We’re teaching others what we love,” said Henrietta Goff, certified Master Clothing Volunteer. “We’re trying to bring back sewing.”Goff said the program began as a way for Master Clothing Volunteers to give back to the community while completing necessary volunteer hours that the program requires. The program gives beginning sewers the opportunity to learn sewing fundamentals including how to use a sewing machine and serger, read patterns and choose fabrics. Participants from several Bluegrass area counties attended the daylong event at the Jessamine County Extension Service Agriculture Learning Center. They learned the functions of sewing machines and sergers during the morning session and practiced the craft in the afternoon by making either a set of four decorative Christmas tree napkins or a jacket using only six pieces of fabric.“They’re learning to be really creative,” said Barbara Ketterman, certified Master Clothing Volunteer who taught participants how to make the jacket. She said in addition to learning to sew, the women also learned how to use a rotary cutter and mat.Myrtle Stevens of Nicholasville said she took the class because she wanted to learn how to use her serger. After taking the class, she feels comfortable using it and plans to make items for second graders to purchase through a rewards program at Nicholasville Elementary School. Jennifer Klee, family and consumer sciences extension agent in Woodford County, said because of the overwhelming response of the program, the group has expanded and will offer six to eight sessions in 2008 in the Bluegrass region. The next classes will be in February.