Moss Vale TAFE and Creative Space sewing course gives people confidence

The single mum graduated from the eight-week Sewing: Your Style program in August, which is a collaboration between TAFE NSW and Creative Space Southern Highlands.

The course aims to provide a pathway of employment while giving old jeans a new lease on life.

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It also provides a confidence boost and social connection that can lead to further training or inspire a career change.

"As a single mum and full-time carer, this was something I could fit in with my life," she said.

"I came to Creative Space for this course because I've always enjoyed sewing and wanted to build up my skills.

"One thing this course did for me was give me the confidence to create more bags and to go out on my own and sell them."

The mum hopes to sell denim shoulder bags and a range of other upcycled items at the Colo Vale Monthly Markets, and has already had interest in her pieces.

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She plans to sell them at the creative hub in Bowral during the upcoming ARTS Trail.

Bags created are made from denim sourced by Creative Space through a local Vinnies, and sewing machines and other materials have been donated by the community.

The program began this year.

Vinnies' Creative Space team leader Tania McInnes said it became "a micro-community of learning."

"We all deserve to feel connected in our community," she said.

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"TAFE NSW providing workshops here is a vital piece of the Creative Space puzzle.

"It can lead to creative small business ideas, education and employment pathways which are an important part of what we do."

TAFE NSW Moss Vale teacher Nola Peters said it combined skills employers were looking for such as the attention to detail and understanding patterns.

"Yes, it's the sewing and social interaction that attracts most of our participants, and while they are learning to sew, they are stretching their skills and confidence," she said.

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