Review of Modesty Matters You Can Sew!

Modesty Matters is one of those companies that I know I will be recommending over and over again.  Through the Molly Crew (part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew), my 11 year-old daughter was able to check out their "Home Economics: You Can Sew!" self-paced sewing curriculum, and I am so glad she did! Therese has always wanted to sew, but I have never been able to teach her (because, well, I don't know how!).  She received a very nice sewing machine for her birthday last year and very quickly taught herself how to operate it and how to sew straight and simple seams.  She really wanted to be able to learn to make "real things" though.  When I found out about this curriculum, then, I was so excited for her to be able to try it!

The You Can Sew! course is a comprehensive learning to sew course.  Your child (or you!) will learn everything you need to know to be able to sew, beginning with the very basics (truly, one of the first things you do is learn the parts of the sewing machine and label a diagram with the proper names).  You take a field trip to the fabric store to buy the appropriate supplies and you learn how to operate your machine before you tackle even the simplest project.  

Are you intimidated because you are a visual learner and are afraid that you won't be able to follow the directions in the detailed lesson plans? Don't worry! The entire course is on DVD! Everything you need to see is demonstrated for you very clearly and if you miss it the first time, you can simply back it up and watch it again.  If you're not sure if this style of learning will work for you, check out the free video tutorials at Modesty Matters to see just how helpful these visuals are.

The course is comprised of all of the following:

• 5 DVDs with 65 class videos
• 159 page written text contained in a sturdy binder
• CD with 5 exclusive patterns
• 30 page glossary
• Box in which to keep it all

The program costs $159.00 and is recommended for ages 10+.

But what is it really like? Quite simply, You Can Sew! is exactly what it says it is: you really can sew.  I have always been afraid to sew, but I'm not afraid to continue to learn after using this program.  Even though my daughter knows her way around her sewing machine, we started at the very beginning of the course and began with the very first lesson.  She's not too big on labeling worksheets, so I let her just show me what everything was on the sewing machine, but she definitely didn't mind taking a trip to Hobby Lobby and scouring the notions wall for a new stitch ripper, ruler, and scissors.  I'll admit that when it came to fusible and non-fusible interfacing, I had to ask for help!

Therese has been able to work on her sewing with very little help from me.  Although we are not using it as a formal Home Ec curriculum, it is definitely meaty enough for one.  Instead, Therese tends to sew on the weekends.  Because of that, and because of the excellent foundation You Can Sew! provides in terms of learning all of the basics of the sewing, Therese has only completed her first project (although she has her fabric picked out for the apron - her next project!).  I am not posting her finished pincushion picture because it is a Christmas present for a regular reader of this blog! Suffice it to say that she is *very* excited to have something so pretty that she made to give to someone very special to her!

Although You Can Sew! is a lengthy all-encompassing curriculum, the fun doesn't stop there! Therese is really looking forward to finishing the course so that she can begin Sewing Through History! After all, doesn't every girl need a Colonial costume dress?! Modesty Matters provides many ways to continue to build on the sewing skills it has taught!

My daughter was so blessed by this curriculum.  In fact, my son keeps asking when he can learn to sew! If you think that you can't learn to sew, or you want to teach your daughter but worry that you won't be able to, this course is well-worth the cost.  If you consider the cost of the average elective, but realize that this one is reusable for your family members, the price becomes very affordable.

To see how other Molly Crew members used You Can Sew!, read the other reviews.  At least then you'll get to see some really pretty finished pincushions!

Disclaimer: I received this product free in exchange for my review.  I received no other compensation.