Jan. 14, 2003

SAN ANTONIO -- Texas Cooperative Extension and Master Clothing Volunteers will offer a three-day training course on teaching sewing skills and sewing construction techniques to others on Feb. 12-14.

The statewide Master Clothing Volunteers program is conducted by Extension in 50 counties. As part of the program, participants volunteer to provide 50 hours of community teaching to extend the sewing skills they've learned to others.

The San Antonio training is being held in conjunction with co-sponsor Creative Inspiration Exhibition, Pro Show, Inc., a commercial sewing show. National sewing experts presenting at the exhibition will also teach some sessions of the training, which is provided by Extension faculty and experienced Master Clothing Volunteers. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn Select on Loop 410.

"We're looking for members of the community who can attend the training and then go teach others what they learned," said Dr. Elaine Fries, Extension family and consumer science agent in Bexar County. "Master Volunteers start out by learning. In this program they sharpen their sewing skills and then learn how to work with groups and individuals as they teach others how to sew. Their teaching and leadership abilities increase, and people they teach learn valuable skills."

New to this year's training will be Web and e-commerce sewing resources.

Individuals trained will serve as Extension Master Clothing Volunteers for one year.

A $75 fee for the three-day training also covers a lesson manual. To receive an application, contact the Bexar County Extension office at (210) 467-6575. Registration must be postmarked by Jan. 27. Registration forms and more information are available at Extension's Family and Consumer Sciences Web site: http://fcs.tamu.edu/clothing/clothing.htm