Ribbon Cutting for “Sew & See” Grand Opening of New Sewing Rooms
August 7, 2026 - (Photo Album) - Shelby County 4-H and AgriLife celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated sewing rooms with the community and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce on August 6, 2026.
Amanda Treat-Brock, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, welcomed everyone to the event for 4-H and celebrating America 250.
“I want to extend a warm welcome to all of our guests, especially our chamber members, ambassadors, community partners, and friends who took the time out of your business schedules to be here. We truly appreciate you showing up and helping us make a special milestone,” said Treat-Brock.
She then introduced Feleshia Thompson, Shelby County Extension Agent, to speak on the newly renovated rooms and ongoing projects.
4-H Celebrates America 250 with Quilt
“Throughout the year, I think back in April, we started working on a quilt. That quilt is displayed in the back [of the room] with the founding fathers in the middle, panel in the middle,” said Thompson. “The kids helped do that and then my volunteers come in and do the finishing touches to it. So y'all make sure you admire that quilt in the back.”
Thompson shared that sewing has become a passion of hers and that what was all packed into one room with around 17 students for sewing class last year is now spread over three rooms. She commented that Lane Dunn, Shelby County Extension Agent, stopped in the class and made video of the activities and the needed space.
“We had kids all under the tables, laying out their quilts, and we were just bumping into each other and running over each other. We were enjoying ourselves, but we had no space. Even the thread was crowded in there. As thin as the thread is, it was crowded,” said Thompson. “So Mr. Lane, he went and talked to the commissioners and the judge and he convinced them to allow us to move into three rooms.”
One of the New Sewing Rooms
Thompson said that there were two sewing camps for 2026 and the first sewing camp had around 24 to 25 kids in the room. She commented they were still a little crowded in the room, but next year there will be room to expand.
“My thought is to in the first room, it will be for beginners. The second room will be for the intermediate kids, and then the third room, which houses our quilting machine will be for our advanced sewers and we also have two adult sewing clubs,” said Thompson.
They teach sewing 101 and meet on Saturdays and there is a seasoned sewing group.
“They're the ones that come in and kind of fix all the mistakes of everybody's quilts,” said Thompson. “They figure it out and they make it look really, really pretty. So I just want to thank them.”
Sewing group works on quilts for County Judge and Commissioners as 'Thank You'
Thompson shared with the group and with Allison Harbison, County Judge, that there are quilts being made for the judge and the county commissioners.
“I will present those to you and I'll show them to you when we get over to the other rooms,” said Thompson. “We're just so appreciative, the girls are so appreciative of being able to have that space over there.”
Several of the young ladies who are in the advanced sewing group were present and Thompson motioned to them for everyone present to meet.
They brought some of the items that they made over the year and Thompson explained that some of the items included pajamas, bags, pillowcases, table runners, t-shirts and t-shirt designs.
“I have a big interest in the county, so I am super grateful and thankful to the commissioners for giving me this space that I can expand this program,” said Thompson. “Thank y'all offer coming. If y'all ever would like to donate, 4-H sewing project is a wonderful project to donate to. We take monetary donations, we take fabric donations. We take sewing machine, donations. You pretty much can't miss us with a donation, and we're just grateful to Shelby County.”
