The third session of the Aiken County Recreation Center's sewing class is under way, but organizers say enrollment is not sewn up, so there's room for more students.

Program supervisor Tandra Cooks said taking a sewing class in college inspired her to offer the eight-week program at the recreation center on Jefferson Davis Highway in Graniteville.

"I love sewing and I couldn't teach the class, but I wanted to share that with the community," Ms. Cooks said.

Instructor Chris Carter said she has been sewing since age 12: "I think people are going back to sewing from buying manufactured products."

Each week, her five students gather to learn sewing basics. The first week of class, students learn the ins-and-outs of their sewing machines, including how to thread a needle. Then they practice sewing straight lines along notebook paper before moving to fabrics. At the end of the course, students will make a utility apron.

"This is a great refresher course," said Barbara Gillerson, of Hephzibah.

Ms. Gillerson bought her sewing machine two years ago but said she never used it before taking the sewing class.

"I want to teach home economics, so this is great to learn what to do," she said.

Ms. Cooks said she wants to begin another class Feb. 2 and, if enough people participate, she will start an intermediate class.

For more information, call (803) 663-6142.

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.