Forres woman Emily Barker (20) sewing scrubs in aid of local health care workers
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A FORRES woman has been supporting her local community during the coronavirus pandemic by sewing scrubs for health care workers.
Emily Barker (20) left Forres last summer to study Foundation in Fashion and Textiles at Glasgow Clyde College – and is already putting her newly-acquired skills to good use.
Since returning home in March, Emily has raised more than £1000 through a Facebook fundraiser to buy materials to make PPE for local care workers.
Using the pattern reading and cutting skills she has learned at college, Emily and her parents are aiming to make more than 80 sets of scrubs from 320 metres of blue, pink and purple fabric.
The first 24 sets were gifted to Anderson’s Care Home in Elgin after Emily heard their staff were concerned about a lack of PPE.
Emily said: "I saw the ‘For the Love of Scrubs’ fundraiser online, which was set up by a front line worker and decided I could help make a difference.
"I set up a fundraiser and aimed to make £200 and made £300 in the first day. My friends and family were so supportive in the fundraising efforts, and it has allowed us to help with lots of local healthcare workers in need of PPE.
"We are working on the next batch and hope to have them ready soon."
Sewing has been part of Emily's life since she was young, but she said the skills she learned in her first year at Glasgow Clyde College helped greatly.
She added: "My mum taught me to sew when I was younger, and I was so keen to move to Glasgow and pursue the fashion textiles course.
"While I had basic knowledge, the techniques I learned in first year have allowed my mum and me to follow a pattern and quickly produce more sets of scrubs for local front line workers.
"I have to thank my parents for their help – it definitely wouldn't have been possible without them."
Emily’s dad, Rob, has been washing the material and ironing finished products, while mum Dawn has been sewing the scrub tops.
Theresa Lindsay, head of curriculum fashion textiles and design at Glasgow Clyde College, said: “I’m so proud Emily is putting her new skills to good use during this pandemic.
"She progressed well in her NC year, and we are looking forward to welcoming her back to the HND Fashion Technology course."
Post-college, Emily's aim is to go to Edinburgh University and, further down the line, make dresses specifically for ballroom dancing.
