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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: sewserious
Date: 08-28-2003, 09:51 PM (1 of 20)
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Hey all. I am in the process of setting up to teach sewing lessons. I am leaning toward mostly teaching children, but will be teaching adults also a little later. I cannot decide on private or group lessons. Right now, this will have to be part time and I am not going to be ready to start until at least spring. (I am just getting started on this and still have to do a business plan, etc.) I do plan on working in my home or, in the case of private lessons, in the pupils home if they prefer. I would like to provide machines for the students for those who don't have their own and so parents don't have to invest in one until the child really shows an interest. Any recommendations on which machine to chose? I have a couple in mind, but would like some other opinions. Also, does anyone here use any of the curriculms out there? So far, I have found 3. You Can Make It, Kids Can Sew, and Directions (from sewing prose). Any thoughts? Would I be better off making my own lesson plans? What about the HSA teacher certification and their lesson materials? I have a million other questions, but will save those for later! I have been doing lots of research, but I think I have confused myself more than helped! Any help would be appreciated. I have read everything on the boards here I could find about teaching sewing and still have questions! Melanie |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-29-2003, 06:46 AM (2 of 20)
Hi Melanie, welcome to Sew Whats New.  Kwik Sew also has beginner sewing lessons for kids. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-29-2003, 05:48 PM (3 of 20)
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Hi Melanie, Welcome to the site, Neighbor.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: sewserious
Date: 08-29-2003, 09:22 PM (4 of 20)
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Thanks for the welcome Mary and Libby. Hey Libby, we are neighbors! Glad to see there is someone close by here! I don't know anyone else who sews around here. I have lived here 15 years and have only meet a couple people casually in Walmart that sew. |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: thats-sew-beth
Date: 09-13-2003, 12:33 PM (5 of 20)
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Melanie, I'm sorta new here too. I just registered but I've been reading/lurking for a couple months. I just decided to start teaching lessons this fall too. My first students start next Wednesday! For the time being I'm not using a prepackaged curriculum. I've just written up a class outline and am using that to structure my lessons. I'm teaching an 8 week basic class. About half way through, depending on readiness of the student, I'm taking a field trip with the girls to JoAnn's to pick out their first basic project. Then the last 4 weeks will be used to complete that project. I also set up 2 Saturdays/month for "Sit and Sews" where they can come to work on their projects outside of class on my machines. I purchased 2 really basic Brother machines from WalMart to start with. I also have my older Singer that has more features and stitches. My personal machine is a Bernina artista and I have a Viking serger. As my students advance I'll let them use the serger. I wanted to show them that they had options when it came to buying a machine. I figure if they learn on a really basic, inexpensive machine they won't feel like they have to go out and spend loads on all the bells and whistles if they are only going to be making simple crafts and garments. This is getting long. I'll post after my first class to let you know how it went. |
User: thats-sew-beth
Member since: 09-13-2003 Total posts: 2 
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From: sewserious
Date: 09-13-2003, 01:20 PM (6 of 20)
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Thank you so much! What ages are you teaching right now? I have heard that the kids lose interest if you don't let them 'make' something right away! I just feel they need to get the basics of a machine down first and maybe make a notebook of different seams samples and such before getting into a project, even if it is a simple one. Keep in touch. Melanie |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: lou-dezynz
Date: 09-13-2003, 11:57 PM (7 of 20)
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Hi again Melanie, On your discussions re teaching kids to sew, I'm happy to hear of it! In my view, the younger, the better, so as to develop the interest early on. When I was teaching from home, some mom's had small kids- very interested- and I began teaching them too, tho seperate from nervous new sewing moms. I sent my "teaching plan" to a young woman a few years ago when I starting doing the Quiltz4Kidz who anticipate organ- bone marrow transplants. But basically, with the very small ones, use a bare bones machine if at all possible, and obviously NEVER leave them unattended. My methods of early teaching so as to make them comfortable with the m,achine is the same as with an adult, or older child: find out what they enjoy and try to develop a project which will suit their interest. This is especially important for kids, whose attentionm spans are shorter. To make them comfortable, I would take designs from their favorite characters, coloring books, etc and trace them on white paper. Set the machine to a straight stitch, the longest length setting, and insert a blunt end needle. Go over machine safety first. Then when you feel that they get the idea that the sewing machine can be fun, but they need to exercise caution, help them walk the traced design through the machine, with NO THREAD inserted. [It's not great for the machine, so you'll need use a crocus cloth on the plate later on... and obviously the needle needs be discarded after lessons move up to fabric.] After they've "sewn"" [without thread] thread thin, bright colored ribbon or yarn through a blunt ended hand sewing needle and teach then to "lace" or hand sew what they machine patterned. The kids I worked with loved doing this and it helped them to learn both hand and machine sewing on the most basic levels. Take care. Lou- Take life as it comes; there's always someone in a worse situation!
**I have A GREAT DEAL OF sew-quilt-craft FABRIC, PATTERNS, BOOKS, TOOLS for sale, along w/ vintage machines. Must sell off much of the contents of my sewing room due to lost home in divorce, need to downsize re relocating..** CHECK MY PHOTOS OF ITEMS FOR SALE at <http://photos.yahoo.com/<email address removed for privacy>> PAYPAL PREFERRED <<email address removed for privacy>> |
User: lou-dezynz
Member since: 02-02-2002 Total posts: 61 |
From: sewserious
Date: 09-14-2003, 07:49 AM (8 of 20)
| Thankd for the suggestions. I am slowly formulating a plan for the children and hope to start with them after Christmas. |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: thats-sew-beth
Date: 09-14-2003, 03:29 PM (9 of 20)
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Melanie, THe two students I have starting this week are 4th graders (9-10 years old). I also have a 5th and a 6th grader interested. I've taught my 10yo to sew and my 6yo has used the machine a little. For the first class we'll cover safety and basic machine sewing and I'll let them sew without thread on lined paper and simple drawn designs. Then we'll do things like drawstring bag backpacks, pillows, etc. at each class to cover different skills and to give them something to take home. Because we will be entering the holiday season soon too we'll do some special projects that could be used for gifts like aprons, ornaments, stockings, etc. Beth |
User: thats-sew-beth
Member since: 09-13-2003 Total posts: 2
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From: sewserious
Date: 09-14-2003, 08:59 PM (10 of 20)
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It sounds like you are moving ahead well. I have a new pupil myself. (This makes 2 official ones.) One of them is a lady I go to church with and who has sewn some, but is not confident in her skills. I will be helping her do some curtains and pillows for her home. The other is a beginner and is also an adult. These are both private students, not a group. I won't be ready to teach a group of students, (adults or kids) until after the first of the year. It is sew exciting to be able to teach others to learn and enjoy the art of sewing. 
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User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: MaryW
Date: 09-15-2003, 11:53 AM (11 of 20)
Sounds like you girls are really on your way to being great sewing teachers. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: lou-dezynz
Date: 09-23-2003, 05:24 PM (12 of 20)
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an FYI: the Home Sewing association has a "sew instructor" course, a one- day intensive seminar at $175.00. I think at conclusion, there's a certificate, but can't attest to the program or credentials. They have nothing scheduled yet, tho are now planning a 2004 calendar. If anyone's gone through this or other mini- seminars, i'd love to know you're perspective on these. lou- Take life as it comes; there's always someone in a worse situation!
**I have A GREAT DEAL OF sew-quilt-craft FABRIC, PATTERNS, BOOKS, TOOLS for sale, along w/ vintage machines. Must sell off much of the contents of my sewing room due to lost home in divorce, need to downsize re relocating..** CHECK MY PHOTOS OF ITEMS FOR SALE at <http://photos.yahoo.com/<email address removed for privacy>> PAYPAL PREFERRED <<email address removed for privacy>> |
User: lou-dezynz
Member since: 02-02-2002 Total posts: 61 |
From: sewserious
Date: 09-23-2003, 09:23 PM (13 of 20)
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I have thought about the HSA course, but the only one I saw this year was offered in Seattle and I cannot afford to fly all the way across the country for that. It is too expensive! IF I could find someone who has taken the course and could determine that it was worth it, I might consider it. Strangely enough, many people mention it, but I have yet to find anyone who has actually taken it. I belong to many sewing lists and bulletin boards and haven't run across anyone yet in over 2 years. |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: VCMOM
Date: 09-24-2003, 02:44 PM (14 of 20)
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Sew Serious, I have taught kids through 4-h for several years now. Kids do like to accomplish things or they do get bored. I don't think you need to take a course. After my kids learn machine safety and how to properly thread there machines they get a sheet of heavy pellon and a bright color thread. We learn the feel of the machine by scribbling with the machine. The learn to go forward., pivot and turn, backstitch etc. Then they follow a design I've traced onto pellon, usually from a coloring book. Then we move on to a simple project. Pillow cases are an excellent starter project. I let the kids pick out a great print and a couple coordinating prints for borders. They go together in a snap and they can sleep on them when they go home. Instant gratification! My kids have made simple ninepatch pot holders, learned applique on purchased dish towels. Aprons and pajama bottom pants are also popular first clothing projects. I collect simple project ideas and tailor them for the kids I'm working with. If you do group lessons don't take on any more than three at a time unless they are teenagers. I love teaching kids. Its very rewarding. I just wish I had more time to. I have a long waiting list for my group. Hope this helps! Lori |
User: VCMOM
Member since: 10-31-2002 Total posts: 74 |
From: rosewood
Date: 11-02-2003, 02:24 AM (15 of 20)
| I started teaching children's sewing classes last March. I am using the Winky Cherry series (Palmer/Pletsch publishers). I use the Beginning Hand-Sewing book for 5-8 year olds and the Beginning Machine-Sewing book for 8 -12 year olds. I really like the books because they are very logical and progress in an orderly manner that can be adapted for 4 classes (an hour-long each). I thought about writing my own lessons, but once I started looking around at the books/lessons already on the market I found the Winky series and have been hooked. So far I have been advertising my classes through our city Parks and Recreation department. They publish a booklet 4 times a year so I can get my classes listed in their publication and the cost to me is that they get a small portion of each pupils fee. I am looking for advice on how to better market my classes though. The Parks and Rec program only reaches a certain part of the population. I have left business cards and flyers at our local fabric stores, so far with no response. I have had several repeat students but I need to come up with a long-range plan to keep them interested and coming back for more classes. |
User: rosewood
Member since: 11-02-2003 Total posts: 3 |
From: sewserious
Date: 11-02-2003, 08:03 AM (16 of 20)
| I have a question for all of you who teach at home. What did you do about business liability insurance? I cannot find a company that will touch a sewing business that includes teaching unless it is insured as a 'trade' school (and that's expensive). |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: rosewood
Date: 11-02-2003, 11:07 AM (17 of 20)
| My business is operated out of one of my commercial buildings in our downtown. I have insurance policies that cover the buildings and potential injuries on the property. I do not know what you do for a home business. What does your homeowners insurance agent recommend? |
User: rosewood
Member since: 11-02-2003 Total posts: 3 |
From: sewserious
Date: 11-02-2003, 11:36 AM (18 of 20)
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My Homeowners won't touch a home-based business at all. I have to have separate coverage. Most homeowner's policies DO NOT have allowances or riders for home businesses. I am planning to teach sewing and do alterations and custom dressmaking. My insurance agent is the one who found my the one policy that will cover all 3 aspects, but the teaching part is considered 'a trade school' and premiums are over $14,000 a year. If I leave off the teaching, it is only $870 for the alterations and dressmaking. |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: rosewood
Date: 11-02-2003, 04:13 PM (19 of 20)
| That is a hefty price to pay. Could you teach sewing somewhere else? Our city has something called "Community Schools" that offer classes taught by individuals in the community and they are held at local public schools. Are there any local fabric stores that would hire you to teach classes at their business? I wish it wasn't so hard to do some "home" businesses. All the regulations and requirements discourage people from even trying. |
User: rosewood
Member since: 11-02-2003 Total posts: 3 |
From: sewserious
Date: 11-02-2003, 07:37 PM (20 of 20)
| I am working on teaching at the community college and finding some other places that I may be able to use. Unfortunately, there are no fabric stores within 30 miles of me! I am "on my own", so to speak. I'll work it out somehow. |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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