DeAnn Hebert loves to sew. She’s good at it, and thanks to her, so are hundreds of others. But it’s not great sewing skills or even her adept teaching that makes DeAnn extraordinary.
It’s how she’s shaped the lives of young people – one sewing machine at a time.
DeAnn has literally transformed hundreds of lives by offering employable skills along with encouragement, motivation, creativity and the power of “I-can-do-this” to students (and dropouts) where success may have looked bleak. Many acknowledge DeAnn when citing how their passion for sewing – and exciting career paths – began. From budding fashionistas who began careers in New York to young seamstresses who started local businesses and incoming refugees who needed to learn a skill to survive…DeAnn is there as an inspiration and a mentor. Without DeAnn’s gentle nudge, many of her students would not have attended college or even finished high school.
Throughout her career DeAnn has touched the lives of many – her daughter benefitted, as have friends, 4-H, groups and students at two inner city high schools in Des Moines (IA). And her passion for creating with textiles is anything but limited. Sure, she can do the latest clothing designs, home décor, fleece blankets and patchwork quilts. What’s more, her classroom vision also took on projects like designing prom dresses, dying fabrics, sewing for charity, and re-purposing clothing into new fashions as she gave her kids fabric and took them on field trips to open their eyes to creative possibilities.
Perhaps the pinnacle of DeAnn’s creativity is when she devised “Project Sewing Machine” at East High School in 2005.
What is Project Sewing Machine?
When DeAnn was buying 20+ new sewing machines for her Family and Consumer Sciences classroom, one young seamstress asked how much it would take to buy her own. “It’s $400,” DeAnn replied but immediately realized how unaffordable that sounded for students in a low-income school. She could clearly see how the machine piqued her student’s interest, and how much it would benefit the student.
Not wanting to deter her student’s enthusiasm, DeAnn came up with a bold plan to offer any student a chance to own a sewing machine. She tied the incentive to staying in school and learning skills, since too many dropped out to become parents with no career aspirations. DeAnn explained, “In 40 weeks, you could have a baby, which will cost you plenty and you may end up on welfare. Or, in 40 weeks, you could learn how to sew and earn money doing it. If you can save $5 a week to pay for half the sewing machine, I will put in the other $200 for you.”
She had five takers that spring. By 2016, DeAnn had awarded 111 sewing machines in end-of-year ceremonies.
“Originally, I thought any kid could save $5 a week by babysitting or getting a part-time job,” DeAnn said. “But I’ve had so many more students the last few years who were free babysitters for younger siblings and couldn’t add a job. Many were refugees, had just moved here and were still learning English. So we expanded to making items to sell, such as scarves, hats and blankets.”
It wasn’t easy to be motivated for 40 weeks, save enough and earn that sewing machine. Not every kid in her classes got one. DeAnn explained: “They had to be invested in the process. Plus, I expected four things when we begin a new group each spring semester:
- Learn skills. “I wanted them to learn how to sew well, and get an A or B in my classes.”
- Do community service. “The kids had to come up with and complete a group service project, which usually involved sewing.”
- Be mentors. “For the following year, the kids would mentor other students.”
- Save, delay gratification. “I not only wanted them to earn half the money but also learn to save and hang onto their money for a big purchase. When you work with kids in low-income areas, money disappears easily or others use it. I wouldn’t let kids turn in their money early either. So they figured out how to get an identification number and use a bank account, which they may not have done otherwise.”
Project Sewing Machine was a huge success
Naturally, DeAnn kept track of where her students’ sewing confidence took them – from New York’s fashion district to local stores, from designing clothes to teaching, model to makeup artist, store manager to custom sewer. They got degrees in education, fashion and business, with many graduating from Iowa State University’s textile department or from Des Moines Area Community College.
Some started new sewing businesses, while others continued to sew for themselves or their families. Most got great jobs, thanks to the confidence boost of having a unique, marketable skill. All learned to develop their creativity and work together as a team.
Nearly every single student returned to thank DeAnn. If not for this program, many would not have attended college at all and others would not break the poverty cycle. That alone makes Project Sewing Machine a huge return on investment.
Others are equally thrilled with DeAnn’s success story – including parents, grandparents, administrators. “So many of my students had no parents in the picture but were raised by grandmas, and some struggled to stay in school,” said DeAnn. “Or, we had refugee parents who were eager to have their kids teach them to sew too. These kids were not usually the all-conference athletes, top musicians or academic stars of the school. Project Sewing Machine gave them an identity and confidence.”
What an inspiration.
Other Sewers Share the Love – Project Sewing Machine Thanks Donors
Inspired by the impact of Project Sewing Machine and eager to share their own enthusiasm for sewing, other women routinely donate to Project Sewing Machine. DeAnn has also received a grant or two. “Sewing is unique. Most sewers have a real love of sewing and they want to share that passion with someone else too,” said DeAnn.
Thank goodness that’s true, since DeAnn retired in May. So one of her star students will pick up the baton – Tia Wilson, now a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Lincoln High School in Des Moines, will continue Project Sewing Machine for 2018. Tia has six students who should get their sewing machines in May, 2018.
If you’re intrigued by DeAnn’s Project Sewing Machine and want to learn more, leave a comment below!
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