While students sit at their computers or books to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, the young people at Student ICONS sit at the sewing machines to learn patience, perseverance and their potential.
“All right, are you ready?” Uniquka Christian, founder of Student ICONS, asked a table full of girls sitting at sewing machines under a gazebo in Ernie Roberts Park in DeSoto. “Let’s get started!”
That day’s project was to make a drawstring backpack for back to school.
“Is this your first time?” Christian asked a girl. “Oh, my goodness!”
Christian, a designer and seamstress, founded the non-profit organization Student ICONS nine years ago. ICONS stands for Student Innovators and Creators of New Style.
“I love teaching children the art and life skill of sewing,” said Christian. “My mother taught me when I was about eight, with needle and thread, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
Learning to sew means more than just following a pattern.
“When a child learns to sew, I give him patience and resilience,” said Christian.
“It really does require a lot of patience. It requires A LOT of patience,” said 11-year-old Ria White. “But at the same time, it will be so exciting and thrilling when you’re done and you’re just like, ‘Ha, I did it!'”
That pride that follows an “aha moment” is why Christian started her nonprofit organization.
“You feel like a rock star and you feel that even more for them,” said Christian. “Because they see what they can do. They see what potential they have.”
“Sometimes you can be creative and do your own things,” said 9-year-old Journee Hadnot.
“I like it because it’s very calming and you can do a lot of things with it,” said nine-year-old Zoie Waters. “For example, you can decorate it. You can choose anything you want!”
“Every time we are bigger than the last time,” said 8-year-old Savannah Smith.
The lessons build students’ confidence. If they can make something out of a piece of fabric, they can also put other ideas into practice.
“How cool and unique is it to be able to say, ‘I did that!’” said Christian.
Student ICONS offers courses throughout North Texas.
