Minerva Park Middle School adds sewing machines to engineering lab

Minerva Park Middle School engineering students now have another skill they can add to their toolbox: sewing.

This year, engineering teacher Jason Siwek added sewing machines to the equipment available for students to use on class assignments and personal projects. 

For years, students have asked Siwek to learn how to sew — a request that typically came up during his cosplay lesson, where students have to design and create an item that resembles the actual item from a favorite television show, movie, book or video game. 

In response to students’ feedback, Siwek spent the past summer learning how to sew using a sewing machine and sought donations to add them to the school’s engineering lab. Cafeteria manager Lauri Jones acquired two new sewing machines from a donor while other staff members provided used ones. 

Throughout the week, students dedicated their class time to practice sewing on the machines, creating pouches, a pillow and a bag.

One eighth-grader spent last week measuring, cutting and pinning material to create a bag in the school’s colors. This week was dedicated to sewing all the pieces together. 

“I like using the machine,” she said. “I feel like it’s different.”

Students have been able to use the sewing machine for personal projects but plans to roll out a lesson in the winter where students will have to sew a beanie cap.