Zoey Gratys of Waukegan, a junior at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, first learned to sew six years ago. She is now taking a sewing class at the Waukegan Public Library’s Maker Space to enhance her skills.
“I just made some bibs and a burping cloth for my new cousin,” Gratys said Tuesday.
Yazmin Ramirez brought her three children, who are in elementary or middle school, with no sewing experience to the class. She wants them to develop practical skills that can last a lifetime.
“They need to learn adult activities,” Ramirez said.
Fiona Tranter, the president of locally based Loopy Connections, teaches the class with several assistants from the not-for-profit organization, helping to provide personal attention to students. She called it a “life skill.”
The Waukegan Public Library Maker Space now has select open hours and regularly scheduled classes, with individual tutoring starting April 1, as a part of what it offers to patrons nearly a year after opening on a limited basis.
Jeremy Donaldson, an adult services librarian, is one of two people regularly working in the Maker Space. He said the Maker Space now has open hours between 4 and 7 p.m. each Tuesday. A librarian will be available to help patrons with projects or needs.
Donaldson said individual one-on-one sessions will be available starting April 1. Patrons can make an appointment either by email or phone. In addition to sewing, classes are available on 3D printing or customizing on the sublimation machine.
Along with two 3D printers, the sublimation machine and a sewing machine, there is a lamination machine, a laser engraver, an audio recording station, an embroidery machine and a Cricut machine.
Tranter said the sewing class is in its second week. Since the library only has one sewing machine, Loopy Connections provides one for any student who needs it. People are also welcome to bring their own machine. Fabric is also furnished.
“We are a not-for-profit organization which brings fabric art to people who do not have the opportunity to make their own,” Tranter said. “There are people in Waukegan who are not able to (have) this. We bring it to them.”
With both experienced and beginner students, Tranter said the class is geared to all skill levels. The main object of the class is that somebody leaves with something they made, which can include a pillow, a hot pad or something else. Several people from Loopy Connections are there to help.
“We meet them where they are,” Tranter said of the mixed levels of students. “It’s not a very regimented class. Some of the students have never sewn before. We spread out and help anyone who needs it. We can help someone make a quilt.”
Victoria Gratys, Zoey’s mother, said the class is primarily an opportunity to “get out of the house and socialize.” Initially, she was not planning on participating as she sat with her daughter. Then things changed.
As each participant started getting comfortable with the machine sewing a maze on paper, going around dotted lines, both mother and daughter got into the flow.
“I’m very competitive,” Victoria Gratys said. “I saw it and needed to do well.”
“It really helps warming up for the sewing,” added Zoey Gratys.
Ramirez’s son Jonay Cortez, a seventh grader at John Lewis Middle School in Waukegan, said he had a practical reason for taking the class. For him, part of the purpose is obtaining a life skill.
“I want to learn to fix my clothes,” he said.
Donaldson said he has helped people use the recording studio. With earphones, it can be done without disturbing others in the Maker Space. A person can “fully compose a song,” he said.
“It offers a lot of flexibility,” Donaldson said.
