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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: 11-06-2003, 06:13 PM (1 of 21)
I have a chance to teach sewing at the local community college, but they want to know how much compensation I need per hour of teaching. I will be a part-time employee of the college, so they will be paying taxes, etc.

Can anybody give me an idea of the pay rate at community colleges? I don't want to charge too much, but I don't want to charge too little either!

Thanks
Melanie
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: Aimee S
Date: 11-06-2003, 06:42 PM (2 of 21)
My friend and I teach at our community college. She owns an alteration shop and I work out of the house.

She gets paid 18.50 an hour and I get paid 15.00 and the Commuity college charges 64.00 for a 6 week course that is 1 hour each day and we have close to 25 students. Trust me it is more for the love of sewing then anything else. The first class is how to chose a pattern and we meet at a fabric store and everyone gets a pattern and fabric. Next 5 weeks if making the item. it is more a bunch of hens together then anything else. Most are seasoned sewers.
The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!

http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003
Total posts: 488
From: sewserious
Date: 11-06-2003, 07:56 PM (3 of 21)
Aimee

Thanks for the input. I was thinking of $20 an hour, but did not know if that sounded reasonable or not. The class I will be teaching will be 2 hours a week for 6 weeks and is strictly a beginning sewing class. It will be limited to 6 students in a class.

I will be supplying the machines and other sewing equipment. Students will pay a supply fee that will cover the cost of fabric and pattern and notions, which I will actually get for them beforehand.

The continuing ed coordinator asked me how much I wanted so she could be sure to charge enough for the class. No one has taught sewing around here for a long time and she has many people interested in it.
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: stitchmd
Date: 11-07-2003, 11:35 AM (4 of 21)
It is customary to charge students a materials fee if you supply those. I think $20 per hour is a low rate for a skilled teacher but it all depends on supply and demand and local cost of living. Ask for that or more and you can always negotiate. If they say yes too quickly you know you asked for too little.
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003
Total posts: 226
From: sewserious
Date: 11-07-2003, 05:50 PM (5 of 21)
There will be a supply fee in addition to the cost of the class in order to pay for the fabric, pattern, and wear and tear on my machines. I was thinking only of teaching time. That is a great rate around here for teaching anything and will keep the class price in line with others that are similar.

As I have my own business, any supplies and materials I use for preparing for the class such as paper, ink, transperancy film, etc. are business expenses. Besides, once I have done them, I can use them over again.
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: pbknudson
Date: 11-10-2003, 10:07 AM (6 of 21)
I would also consider the time you will be spending outside of the class making preparations and plans. As a teacher, this often ends up being as much time as you spend actually "teaching." So consider that when you give your price.
Packrat
User: pbknudson
Member since: 04-02-2003
Total posts: 20
From: MartySews
Date: 12-20-2003, 09:34 AM (7 of 21)
In our community, the students pay an average of $20 per hour of instruction plus kit fees when they show up for class. This is the average rate among the community colleges, dealers and fabric stores. Except for the colleges, everyone is expected to furnish their own machines. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003
Total posts: 504
From: Magot
Date: 12-20-2003, 01:19 PM (8 of 21)
Certainly I would add the cost of the time it takes you to get materials to your supply costs, spead through the resources pack it shouldn't be too much on top of the bits and bobs. I've yet to meet a teacher who gets paid "preparation time!" even though as packrat said, this can be half as much time again.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: sewserious
Date: 12-20-2003, 02:13 PM (9 of 21)
Thanks for all the suggestions. I did some asking around with others who teach continuing ed at the CC including some who teach cooking. The hourly rate I asked for is in line with what they are paid. I did not figure prep time into this class because I am taking a week's PAID vacation from my fulltime job to do the prep work, so, in a sense, I am being paid to do it!
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: MaryW
Date: 12-20-2003, 02:17 PM (10 of 21)
Sounds exciting. When do you think your classes will start?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: sewserious
Date: 12-20-2003, 03:03 PM (11 of 21)
My first class is on January 13. There will be 2 concurrent classes, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the classes will be for 6 weeks each.

This will be beginning sewing for those who know they want to learn, those who are not sure, or those who have not touched a machine in a long time. Everything is provided for this class including pattern, fabric, notions, tools, and machines.

We will be using the Simplicity ASG pattern, 5687, because I can get it in sizes to fit just about anyone and it would be flattering on most people. Beginning level II (to be taught later) will use this same pattern and we will make the jacket and/or top.

I purchased a good quality, navy blue, poly at Hancock's that is just right for this style skirt and also easy to sew. I figured everyone can use a good, basic navy skirt in their wardrobe and that will leave open a lot of options for the 'jacket' later.
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: MartySews
Date: 12-20-2003, 06:39 PM (12 of 21)
Congratulations! Sounds as if your class will be full and I hope you will have a great time. Happy Stitching!
Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003
Total posts: 504
From: MaryW
Date: 12-21-2003, 12:20 PM (13 of 21)
I would be very interested in how these classes go. It is wonderful you starting these classes.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: sewserious
Date: 12-22-2003, 07:04 AM (14 of 21)
Thanks for the support. I will report back after the first class and let you know how it goes.
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: lou-dezynz
Date: 02-06-2004, 04:32 PM (15 of 21)
We've discussed pricing on other threads of sewing/ profit. Because of illness, I've been bedridden, but spent last night scouring for net info. FINALLY found a site which lists prices for sewing, consultation & teaching & wanted to share it w/ those interested. The link is
<http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/pub.1667.httm>

If, like me, you have problems when going to long links, go to
<http://msucares.com/> and use the search. If you have trouble, email me.

At the end of the "Sewing As A Business" articles are appendices:
1- Construction price list; 2- Sewing as a business base garment construction price list; 3- Sewing as a business alterations price list
This can be blued and printed as 4pp, and interestingly divides prices by hours, with 3 different rate scales [$6,$8,$10/hr]. Tho perhaps not what ea person charges, it's a great baseline. Also, the entire article is TERRIFIC re markets, advertising sources, licensing & reg issues.

Sew on! Lou-Dezynz <<email address removed for privacy>>
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
<<email address removed for privacy>>
User: lou-dezynz
Member since: 02-02-2002
Total posts: 61
From: sewserious
Date: 02-06-2004, 06:45 PM (16 of 21)
Thanks Lou. I had a copy of this on my computer already and didn't realize it. I had not read it yet.

Here is the correct link for the above:
http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/pub1667.htm
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: allie-oops
Date: 02-06-2004, 08:48 PM (17 of 21)
Oh dear...I made it to that website, found the publication page, and they seem to have removed the links to the one you posted. Wah!!!!!!!!
"onward through the fog"
User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002
Total posts: 282
From: sewserious
Date: 02-06-2004, 09:15 PM (18 of 21)
Allie,
Use the link in my post just above your last one. It works, I just tried it.
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: allie-oops
Date: 02-06-2004, 09:21 PM (19 of 21)
sewserious, you made my day! Thank you, it worked!:bg:
"onward through the fog"
User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002
Total posts: 282
From: lou-dezynz
Date: 02-07-2004, 01:39 PM (20 of 21)
sorry if i screwed up the url. But, i think this is a good baseline for those without any prior pricing experience, as well as a gauge for those of us who have sewn for profit.

SEW FORTH!
lou-dezynz
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
<<email address removed for privacy>>
User: lou-dezynz
Member since: 02-02-2002
Total posts: 61
From: allie-oops
Date: 02-08-2004, 12:49 AM (21 of 21)
Actually Lou, I made it to the home page and then the publications, but when I got to the page where it shows publications by number, that one had no link next to it....they either had pdf or html links, except that ONE, lol! I printed it all out for reference...thank you!
Allie
"onward through the fog"
User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002
Total posts: 282
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