Gallup library hosts workshop to preserve Navajo skirt traditions

The Octavia Fellin Public Library in Gallup staged a two-day workshop, Sew Happy: Traditional Navajo Skirts, that began Friday and continues Saturday at 115 W. Hill Ave. The event offered hands-on instruction in sewing fundamentals aimed at helping participants complete a traditional Navajo skirt outfit.

Sessions ran Friday from 1–5 p.m. and resumed Saturday from 1–4 p.m., combining machine techniques with garment construction. The curriculum covered sewing machine basics, fabric cutting, seam construction, and finishing techniques so attendees could move from raw materials to a finished skirt. Space was limited and registration was handled through the library.

The program used public library resources to deliver vocational and cultural instruction to McKinley County residents. By pairing technical sewing skills with traditional garment patterns, the workshop targeted both practical skill-building and the transmission of cultural knowledge. For individuals unfamiliar with sewing, the workshop provided an entry point to equipment and classroom-style guidance; for those already experienced, it offered a chance to refine techniques specific to traditional skirt construction.

Local libraries serve as civic centers in Gallup and across McKinley County, and events like this illustrate how public institutions can host culturally specific education without commercial barriers. Community access to tools, classroom space, and instruction helps reduce upfront costs for participants and supports intergenerational learning that can keep traditional arts alive in everyday life.

Attendance at hands-on workshops also has ripple effects for civic engagement. Participants often gain confidence to join other community programming, volunteer as instructors, or collaborate on cultural events at schools, community centers, and powwows. For artisans and hobbyists, structured classes provide a reliable setting to practice techniques that sustain local craft economies and cultural expression.

Residents interested in similar opportunities should contact Octavia Fellin Public Library at 115 W. Hill Ave. for information on space, registration, and upcoming programs. As the Sew Happy workshop wraps up Saturday afternoon, the library’s role as a site for practical skill development and cultural preservation will remain a touchpoint for Gallup residents seeking both craftsmanship and community continuity.