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Makerspace gives Belpre girl chance to grow sewing skills

Photo by Michele Newbanks Jenna Taylor, 11, adjusts the settings on her sewing machine Wednesday at the Building Bridges 2 Careers Makerspace.

Jenna Taylor has only been sewing for a year, but it’s clear it’s something she takes seriously.

Taylor, who is 11, has really taken to the craft, visiting the Building Bridges 2 Careers Makerspace for their junior sewing classes every Wednesday.

She said through the class, she learned how to make a rag quilt and cornhole bags, along with flag banners and pillows. Taylor also showed off a pair of pajama pants she made for her father.

“I made all my Christmas gifts for my family,” she said. “I made cornhole bags and pillows.”

The gifts were designed around things her family members were interested in. For example, her uncle is an Ohio State University fan, so his pillow was done with OSU fabric.

She said her uncle loves chickens, so he got a chicken pillow. Her aunt is a music teacher, so she “got a music pillow with dog prints.”

“She refused to make Cleveland Browns ones,” said Gary Williams, Taylor’s grandfather.

“She’s a Steelers fan.”

Taylor said she’s the only one interested in sewing, other than her grandmother, who sews and does clothing alterations.

She recently made a special heirloom pillow for her grandmother.

Williams said Taylor’s grandmother had kept dresses her grandmother had made for her. When she was ready to let them go, she took a photo of them. The picture was found and was put on printable cloth, which Taylor then made into a pillow.

“She puts a lot of thought into everything she makes,” said Ann Siegfried, the Makerspace’s fiber arts content expert.

Besides sewing, Taylor, the sixth grade daughter of Patrick and Carmen Taylor of Belpre, keeps busy with a variety of activities. She goes girl’s coding twice a week and is in the science club and honor roll.

“On Tuesdays, one of my friends and I go down and help the kindergarteners at lunch,” she said.

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.

At a Glance

¯ Jenna Taylor, 11, has been sewing for a year.

¯ She visits the Building Bridges 2 Careers Makerspace every week.

¯ Projects were made for each family member.

¯ She is a sixth grade student at Belpre.

Source: Times research.

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