MUSCATINE, Iowa  — It’s not easy to be a fairy on a chilly October night.

That’s why Gabby Garrido, 14, decided to attend Musser Public Library’s sewing lab, hosted by teen and adult services staff member Stephanie Derbin.

Garrido worked on a turquoise-blue knit bolero, with the help of Derbin, to cover her arms and shoulders in her strapless fairy Halloween costume. Her sister, Suzy, 12, made a small travel pillow.

“This is for new people and anyone who knows how to sew and just wants to get out of the house,” Derbin said.

The free sewing lab runs from 5-8 p.m. and was first offered in early September. Derbin said these particular labs are aimed at teenagers, but no one will be turned away.

Derbin has been sewing for most of her life and enjoys the opportunity to teach other people how to be economical and creative.

“I learned to do a lot of it on my own,” Derbin said. “It helps when you have some direction.”

Friends of the Library member Rosemary Hollatz was on hand with Stephanie, working on a quilt and showed the Garrido sisters how to thread the sewing machines.

The machines themselves are a blessing for Derbin. They were donated to Musser Public Library from Neal’s Vacuum and Sewing Center in Muscatine.

“These are beautiful machines,” Hollatz said. “They cost nearly $700 apiece. I have one just like it at home.”

Suzy Garrido said she and her sister know how to sew a little bit after learning how to sew patches from their father, Hector.

“I learned to sew by hand,” Suzy Garrido said.

“I think this is great,” Gabby Garrido said, adding that she’s                      

definitely coming back for the next workshop.

The fabric is mostly leftover from other library activities, Derbin said, but scrap is easily used.

“It’s a crime to throw away fabric if its usable,” she said.

Hollatz things the chance for young people to learn to sew is great.

“Sewing is picking up again, I think because clothing is so expensive,” Hollatz said.

When Hollatz was in high school, she said her legs were too long for most jeans, so she sewed on extra fabric.

Though she’s taught her nieces over the years, Hollatz spends her time making quilts for her church, Zion Lutheran in Muscatine, and as a volunteer at Grant School.

“It’s nice to have other venues where you can do and learn things,” Hollatz said.

Details

What: Free Sewing Workshop

Where: Musser Public Library, 304 Iowa Ave., Muscatine.

When: 5-8 p.m. the first Thursday of every month.