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From: blackie
Date: 02-14-2005, 09:02 PM (1 of 8)
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OK, I am a mom of two young kiddos who are often sporting my sewing / quilting / knitting projects. I have been asked multiple times by friends and acquaintances to teach sewing for a couple simple kids' projects. I was thinking of teaching a series for beginners to sew a couple kids' things. Specifically, three classes which are a few hours each where you end up with 2 or 3 finished items for young children (newborn to 5 or so). For the items I am thinking a kids' sling for carrying dolls (very EASY first-time project) and a pair of pants... Hmm, not sure what else. I would be structuring the class to get basic sewing skills (pattern cutting & marking, measuring and adjusting for good fit, fussy-cutting, hemming, etc.) but also to end up with a couple finished items. So I am wondering what your advice is for this sort of thing. SPECIFICALLY, if I teach some easy pants (which I really want to do), HOW am I going to require a pattern from people? Do I just say, "go buy a McCall's such-and-such" or do I give people the option of picking out a pants pattern themselves? I am loathe to do the second option because I can just imagine people bringing Ottobre or something with a zipper or whatever that would be beyond their sewing abilities and / or slow down the class. Also, WHAT would you charge? The local quilting store will let me use their space and I am thinking about 6 people would be ideal. Should I make it a series of classes or just have one session be pants, one session a sling, etc. Also, any other ideas for simple yet fun kids' items? I honestly just want to do it to get out (I have a 3 y.o. and a 10-month old so I could use some time out of the house!), but I know I should also charge something to make it worth my time AND to make sure people value the class to come! Any tips you have will be GREATLY appreciated. - K. (also posted in Sewing/Quilting Business forum) see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-15-2005, 09:39 AM (2 of 8)
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I think I would start just like a home ec class. I'd bring the kids into the location where we would work and I'd do measurments with them. Since that is personal, I think I would say that the parent should be present the last 15 minutes of class or whatever. I used to try to keep a pattern book in the house from each major company (and a few older ones) to use when people called for work. If you can get one...great...if not, I'd go online with the kids and talk about what kind of garment you are going to make (this could even be done at the store). I'd have a pretty clear idea of a couple of things you want to do...and offer them the options of one of two patterns (even if the only changes would be the name on the envelope). It will be much easier for all of you if the fabric and the pattern are basically the same...let them choose their own color. Then, ideally, since there are only a couple, it'd be fun to do a trip to the store to purchase their "stuff" you could either invite the parent to go along or you could just do a quick figure of what you think it will cost and let the kids do the do the purchase. Since it is summer, maybe a beach bag or cute purse for the third item. That would be an easy place to teach them something basic about zippers...if there is a zipper across the top. You could also let them do some cute dec. on the front of the item with trims. Another idea would be a cute summer sleeveless top. My strong caution to you would be that when/if you do any measurements or fitting, be sure that a parent is present. It wouldn't hurt to have the parent do the measurments. I would strongly suggest that you just tell the parent...on this date we will be fitting...I will need you there. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: blackie
Date: 02-15-2005, 10:48 AM (3 of 8)
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Pam - thank you SO much for your input... but I didn't mean I was teaching newborn to 5-y.o.s to sew, I meant that the items we would be sewing would be for children... the parents would be sewing them. Thank you for your suggestions and I do like the ideas for summer items! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-15-2005, 11:19 AM (4 of 8)
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Oh, that is sooooo cool! Yeah, I'd talk to them a little about fabrics...give them a few related patterns, talk about sizing and let them get their own fabric and supplies. I thought you were teaching to young kids...say 7-10. There was a time when home ec teachers made kids make baby dresses before they started making things for themselves. As a matter of fact, they used to start by hand-making baby dresses. My sister had to do this but by the time I came along 9 years later, I made a blouse and skirt but we chose our own patterns. It is a wonder that the teacher made it though my outfit. I think I found the hardest one in the book. When I look back at what I did...10 button holes down the back with a petal collar. The skirt was without a waistband with a grosgrain ribbon facing (my teacher had never done this) and had a hip hugger self-belt. If one of my home ec kids had brought that to school, I would have retired (had I actually ever used my degree). Your parents might like to make some pants with a casing and cord instead of elastic. That would give them a chance to make a button hole.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: carman
Date: 02-15-2005, 01:00 PM (5 of 8)
i have taught a few quilting classes here and there and what i did the first time was sit down and brainstorm on a piece of paper what i liked best about classes i had taken and what i didn't. that in itself was a heap of info to me. also i am "visual" learner, hate to read directions  with my classes i have every step in the visual step and then for the readers i have the pattern broken down into important steps that they can read, other than the pattern, because they can be confusing at times as well. hope this makes some sense.carman |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 02-15-2005, 02:52 PM (6 of 8)
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I think Pam has the right idea in giving them a list of what patterns to choose from. Most sewing classes I have taken in the past have done that so everyone is doing a similar project. Sounds like fun!
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: blackie
Date: 02-15-2005, 03:05 PM (7 of 8)
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Your parents might like to make some pants with a casing and cord instead of elastic. That would give them a chance to make a button hole. I love this idea! But I probably won't do it... I am not the world's best at btuttonholes and would have to be better before I asked it of my "students". Home Ec classes were so lame when I went to high school (10 years ago). The only reason I sew now and have a love of sewing is because my mom loved it and helped me... the classes at school were so lackluster and we sewed such useless stuff (stuffed animals, I remember). Carman, I love the idea of brainstorming what I did and didn't like about classes. This already helps me focus, now that you mention it. I also enjoy visual aids and plan to put many in my class. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: carman
Date: 02-15-2005, 03:42 PM (8 of 8)
| also for till you get comfortable i would have everyone doing the same thing, i think having students doing various things would be way to confusing till you are VERY comfortable. i know with quilting we all do the same thing. |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692
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