She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands….She sets about her work vigorously…In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers…She makes linen garments and sells them…She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:13, 17, 19, 24-25

Mathare Couture

Tape measure, thread, scissors, sewing machine, fabric, buttons, iron, hooks, and needles are tools the fashion industry uses to make couture-to-bargain basement clothing. Unless you are a dressmaker, or watch T.V. programs like Kenya Fashion Week and Project Runway, you rarely consider the tools and skill that go into clothing construction.

In Africa, a woman’s closet is not complete without a colorful Kitenge, Kanga, Leso or Kikoy - garments that require custom tailoring. Thus, the tailoring industry in Africa is a major employer. Best of all, tailoring is a vocation that provides economic opportunity for many African women and men. What do African women look for in a dressmaker? One who can accurately assess any woman’s figure; one who will interpret the fabric to ensure a straight pattern; and one who will deliver as promised.eduKenya’s Skills Training program, started in 2009, includes a Tailoring Class. Our program offers classes at affordable rates for Mathare residents. Our program provides classroom, equipment, fabric and instructors to make sure that our students graduate with a trade to help transform their quality of life. Instructors Anne and Roseland, who teach the class, are skilled and dedicated. Anne has taught in the program 4 years, Roseland, 2 years. They claim their hearts soar when a student finally puts together a complete garment. Roseland says, “It is a celebration for both the tutor and student.”The basic skill-set includes how a sewing machine works; integration of pattern and design into the garment; constructing sleeves and collars; and use of manual and electric machines. The tailoring room has seven sewing machines: Four manual and three electric, in various states of working order. There is also a serger, used to over-lock seams. The ability to use several types of equipment will greatly increase a graduate’s chance of employment in Nairobi.Most of the participants are parents of Kwa Watoto School students. The majority of them cannot attend class full time, so our tailoring tutors offer flexible hours to accommodate the students’ schedules. Many students have no sewing skills; a few have some experience and seek to become proficient; so lessons are modified to fit each student.

Many of our students are young married women who lack resources to acquire job skills. Most want to learn tailoring so they can open a small business or work for an established tailor. One current student, Mary, is 25 and has a young son, not yet in school. On days when Mary cannot find childcare, the tailoring department accommodates her son in the classroom as his mother learns her lessons.On October 20, 2014, eduKenya’s Skills Training program made its debut into the curriculum of Grades 4 – 7 at Kwa Watoto School. That Monday, children in the tailoring class learned the parts of a sewing machine, how to thread it, and care for the machine. They took turns sitting at the machine and running thread through fabric. Each week, the children will learn additional sewing skills.When our students leave Kwa Watoto primary school, they will do so with a great academic education, and a skill that increases their social and economic opportunity. Who knows, the next Giorgio Armani might step through the doors of Kwa Watoto School! Skills Training integration into our class curriculum is a wonderful and creative use of resources! Bravo Kenyan staff and leadership!

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10