Sewing Centre Prototype

Sewing Centre Prototype

One of the original goals of our project work was to implement a sewing centre in Monwabisi Park where community members could be employed sewing the sandbags that are used in the ecoBEAM building construction process. The idea for a sewing centre was developed by the 2008 Economy Team, but their work was halted by the fire that swept through the Indlovu Project in 2008. Our team worked to develop plans for continuing with the work of the 2008 Economy Team, but after arriving in Cape Town and meeting with our sponsor Dianne Womersley of the Shaster Foundation, we found that a full sewing centre was not possible at the time. There were many issues surrounding the placement of a sewing centre that our team was not aware of until we arrived in Cape Town, so instead, our team decided to implement a small scale sewing centre prototype. Our goal was that a small sewing centre prototype would allow us to learn more about successful training methods and operating procedures that we could include in a proposal for a full-scale sewing centre.

Community Tensions

Community centre reconstruction in C-section of Monwabisi Park

Thus far, all of the Indlovu Project operations have been centred in C-Section of Monwabisi Park. Certain individuals who have been involved in the management of the Indlovu Project have become targets of jealousy in the community and Di Womersley advised against beginning any more operations associated with the Indlovu Project in C-Section until these jealousies had been resolved. Previous hiring practices with the Indlovu Project had also caused tension that would have made opening a full-scale sewing centre operation a poor decision at the time. See “tall poppy syndrome” for more information. As the C-Section community centre was not yet completed, space for a full-scale sewing centre was also an issue.

Details

The 2008 Economy Team had purchased two sewing machines to use in the sewing centre from Berzacks, a South African sewing machine distributor. They purchased two Swift GC 5550 industrial sewing machines, but these machines were lost in the Indlovu Project fire in 2008. Because we planned on using the sewing machines for sewing sandbags as well, which requires an industrial strength machine, we spoke to Berzacks about buying a machine of the same model. We purchased one Harrison GC 55508, an industrial machine very similar to the Swift GC 5550.

Training session at Berzack's

Included with the purchase of the sewing machine was a six-month warranty, machine delivery and a training session. Our team went to Berzacks for the training session along with one co-researcher from the community. In the training session we learned how to thread and operate the machine as well as learned some valuable information on training methods.We set up the sewing machine in the new guest house, which was the working space for the WPI student teams this year. When the community centre is finished being built the machine will be put upstairs in the workshop space.TrainingAt the initial training session at Berzacks, it was suggested that the best way to train people who have had little to no machine experience is to become comfortable with the machine without the needle and thread first. Without the needle, the trainee can get a feel for how the machine pulls the thread and using the pedal without the risk of tangling the fabric or causing the machine to malfunction. After this, it was suggested that we draw lines on the fabric and have the trainee try to follow them.Our team worked to train two co-researchers from the community how to use the sewing machine. At the start, we thought it would only take a matter of days before they would be able to start sewing sandbags, but we realised right away that getting used to the machine was going to take much longer than that. Not all community members have driving experience, or experience using any type of pedal, so getting used to using the pedal was a bit more challenging. The industrial machine we purchased was much stronger than a domestic sewing machine and the one team member who had sewing experience had a little trouble getting used to the speed of the machine initially.Kayla and Bongeka using the sewing machine

Our Recommendations

Kayla and Bongeka using the sewing machine

Although we experienced relative success training two community members, they are by no means experts at using the machine. It is best that the training be held by professionals who have a structured program on how to train people and can make sure that all of the needed topics are covered.  Our goal is that the eventual sewing centre can not only sew sandbags but also other items. A skilled trainer could also provide instruction on the other techniques needed for sewing more complicated items like clothing.

Our team explored ways to make our work sustainable after we leave by looking for connections with groups who are more experienced in sewing. Efforts to contact community members with sewing machine experience were futile. Berzacks recommended Clotex, whom we did speak to, but the most encouraging was the discovery of the Imiza Moyethu sewing centre in the nearby township of Harare. This sewing centre is well-established and runs almost exactly like we hope a sewing centre at the Indlovu Project can someday run.

Sewing Machine Guide

Our team created a sewing machine guide detailing useage of the machine

Because a large part of our work was determining the best way to train people that have never sewn before, we decided to create an easy-to-use manual written in English and Xhosa that we could leave at the Indlovu Project with the machine. The manual is broken up into several sections: threading the machine, adding the bobbin, winding the bobbin, inserting the needle, getting started with sewing, and sewing the sandbags. To view the complete manual, click Sewing Machine Guide [PDF 1.2 MB].

To read more about any of the topics discussed above, please read the Sewing Centre Proposal [PDF, 190 KB].