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From: blackie
Date: 05-15-2005, 11:59 AM (1 of 15)
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http://kelly.hogaboom.org/images/sewingflyersmall.jpg For four hours yesterday I hosted a drop-in sewing group while my husband took the kids out. My husband came up with the name (which I thought was very clever!) and I designed the flyers. I had pastries, coffee, and mimosa! Too bad I only had one mama show. She needed to alter her husband pant length but also keep a faux cuff. It took a few minutes for me to figure out a good way to do it. She was a good "pupil". I also got a lot of my own sewing done (curtains for the bedroom). I know part of the reason I only had one person show was I only started telling people about it on Thursday. This time I will "advertise" for a couple weeks. I also think another part is that I don't charge anything. Weirdly enough, people don't value expertise if you don't charge money for it (not that I'm an expert, but you KWIM). Anyone have any tips on how to run this sort of event? see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: carman
Date: 05-15-2005, 12:08 PM (2 of 15)
i agree with you, you should have started advertising earlier, i don't think i could get my act together in one  why the drop in style and not be here for 9:00. try an afternoon one and see if time makes a differance.
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: Magot
Date: 05-15-2005, 03:17 PM (3 of 15)
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I did a similar thing some years ago with sewing cross stitch Christmas Cards- I made up loads of little kits for people to buy and sew while we sat around together chatting. It was really an excuse to get the neighbours together and worked at that. We did it just for a set few weeks about 6 and I dropped cards in the doors up and down the street. I should have continued to do that as the weeks went on but was happy with the 4 of us who got together for mutual support. I didn't charge either - only cost of supplies but it was fun. I would suggest you run off fliers on the computer and keep dropping them around as the weeks go on. Enjoy yourself. I had enough Christmas card lits left to supply my friends and famly for 2 years - didn't matter! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 05-16-2005, 09:53 PM (4 of 15)
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I wonder if you could bring your ad over to one of your local sewing machine dealerships. They host classes and clubs, and would have access to interested people of all sewing experience levels. It's free, so I don't think that they'd see it as competition at all. While you're at it, you could sign up for one of the classes yourself, and make some sewing contacts there. Another sewing contact for you--I joined American Sewing Guild this year. The have chapter and neighborhood groups all over the country. Just a nice place to meet others who share your interest. I'm sure folks that go to those meetings would be interested--I've met a number of them who talk of their tendency to hoard fabrics--a lot of us are better at idea-generation than project completion!!! www.asg.org
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-17-2005, 05:56 PM (5 of 15)
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Blackie, that was very well done. Just not enuf time for people to decide to join in. Great idea!
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-17-2005, 05:57 PM (6 of 15)
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Andrea, is there any way we could have an online ASG group?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-17-2005, 06:05 PM (7 of 15)
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I should also say it takes time for people to warm up to these sort of things. Not everyone is comfortable going inside someone's home for something. Word of mouth will work for you quite fine. You just have to be persistent.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Melanie T
Date: 05-19-2005, 06:19 PM (8 of 15)
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Great Idea! I think I will try something like that in the fall (when the outside work and preserving are done) to get back in to teaching sewing lessons. I only have one sewing student right now, leftover from before my latest son was born. It would also be a great flylady get together, a mending party or something like that. Melanie Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 05-19-2005, 09:24 PM (9 of 15)
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Andrea, is there any way we could have an online ASG group? Interesting idea...I don't know how. Oh but there's so much benefit to gain by seeing work, in person, and learning techniques from one another. They do host some online events for members though... www.asg.org Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-20-2005, 07:56 AM (10 of 15)
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It is a great idea Blackie. It's nice to see someone take some initiative and want to share their love of sewing and creativity. Sharing tips and knowledge this way can benefit everyone involved. The flylady idea is good too. Everyone could come to my house and see how I don't practise the things she teaches. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 05-20-2005, 03:54 PM (11 of 15)
Thanks alot you two!  You've succeeded in reminding me that I am sitting here at the computer without my lace up shoes on, looking at a hot spot burning on my bar (its sewing related-though!), my sink is not shining, and I may have a Mt Washmore on my hands if I'm not careful! lol! Well I CAN do anything for 15 minutes---off to shine my sink, start my laundry, and clean off that hot spot!  Well, maybe the hot spot can wait just a bit... I do plan to do some more sewing very soon! Jen PS: Blackie, I think your sew-along & lessons are a terrific idea! I wish I lived in your area, I would definitely attend, and bring homemade chocolate chip cookies, too! Oh, you might try posting flyers at local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups, or headstarts, etc... |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263 
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-20-2005, 04:59 PM (12 of 15)
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And in the local fabric stores too.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-20-2005, 05:01 PM (13 of 15)
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Jen, go clean that hotspot. LOL. Which reminds me I haven't posted a chore for the sewing room in forever. Hmm, one will be posted for tomorrow. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Magot
Date: 05-20-2005, 05:07 PM (14 of 15)
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rats - who reminded her?
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: Janice Duerr
Date: 05-21-2005, 01:57 PM (15 of 15)
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What a wonderful idea to offer this great opportunity to your friends & neighbors far and wide. I own a B&B and have done lots of group things - special events. I agree that it is so much easier to learn from someone when you can see how they are doing something. Next time, give yourself and your guests more time to prepare. Also suggest the kinds of projects they might work on. There may be people out there that are beginners. Perhaps you can have a couple of neat projects so that a beginner can actually go home with a finished item. The idea of making kits and selling them was an excellent idea. I also agree with specific time frames for the day. It could be a 9-Noon and 1-3 so that people knew what they were getting into timewise and they could choose a time of day to commit. You could ask them to call and register ahead of time so you would know how many to expect. Some might want to come for both sessions, but you could have an hour break in between for a lunch break. You have a great idea - I am sure your next day will be much more successful.  Janice in Michigan |
User: Janice Duerr
Member since: 03-27-2004 Total posts: 2 |
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