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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
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From: kameline
Date: 03-15-2006, 09:08 AM (1 of 17)
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I am starting "in-your-home" sewing classes this summer for young girls... any unique ideas to attract students? Besides the whole... fliers on community bulletin boards, add in newspaper, etc... something really unique! 
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41 
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From: MaryW
Date: 03-15-2006, 01:06 PM (2 of 17)
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Wear something you have made. Make it funky and fun. You know what girls are like for clothes and purses.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: crazy4quilting
Date: 03-17-2006, 12:26 AM (3 of 17)
What about possibly offering a free one-time class to local high school (Home Economic Classes), Sunday School Classes, and/or Youth Groups. Possibly doing a really fun & simple project and then passing out some cards, etc. to the students there that are participating. The network/business exposure alone would be worth doing a couple of hours worth of free classes. Not only that, but kids like to get involved. by having a couple cut, a couple pin/baste, you create that whole hands-on involvement. By doing a small project, you are creating a sample of the fun that they can have while learning to sew in your classes. In addition, by doing a small project, the students will not feel overwhelmed as well. Let me know how it turns out.  Am also putting in a link to view some tips on running a home-based sewing business. Please see below:http://msucares.com/business_assistance/homebusiness/saab.htm#marketing A Girl Can Never Have Too Much Fabric!
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User: crazy4quilting
Member since: 03-14-2002 Total posts: 51 
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From: MaryW
Date: 03-17-2006, 09:05 AM (4 of 17)
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Super idea! Love your avatar.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DebN.
Date: 03-17-2006, 10:32 AM (5 of 17)
| how about in the schools? Our community has a program put together by the home and school assoc. that has 10 or 15 classes each semester taught by people from the community. You make a little money, but more importantly you get your name out there. When you put a flyer up, how about a little sample of something from scraps? It would catch people's attention. A small quilt sqare or doll size apparel? How about embroidering your ad on a small t-shirt or scrap of fabric? Might be more trouble than it's worth, but if you have time... (yeah, right). |
User: DebN.
Member since: 03-14-2006 Total posts: 6 |
From: anjel
Date: 03-17-2006, 02:43 PM (6 of 17)
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I am starting "in-your-home" sewing classes this summer for young girls... any unique ideas to attract students? Besides the whole... fliers on community bulletin boards, add in newspaper, etc... something really unique! Something fun to have the girls learn how to sew would be kool-aid purses. Just thought of that as I read your post. Good Luck, Lana(aka)Anjel
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User: anjel
Member since: 03-15-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: crazy4quilting
Date: 03-17-2006, 06:09 PM (7 of 17)
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Thank you Marry. I also reviewed your thread on the patterns that you are getting from Finland. Very nice. That's not a bad price either. I think the Webiste quoted $30+ for a year's subscription.
A Girl Can Never Have Too Much Fabric!
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User: crazy4quilting
Member since: 03-14-2002 Total posts: 51
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From: kameline
Date: 03-18-2006, 10:52 AM (8 of 17)
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thanks for all the helpful input... this is all very exciting (and new!) to me! I will keep you posted as to how classes go... feel free to offer any other ideas regarding prices, projects, advertising,... anything associated with sewing lessons in general. thanks again!
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: funthreads
Date: 04-04-2006, 09:05 AM (9 of 17)
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Make t-shirts for your students to wear with your ad on the back or maybe on a tote bag. It will cover lots of ground where other potential students will be hanging out. Offer lessons to scouts. That is a big word of mouth advertising spot. Attach class photos with students holding finished projects on your flyers. Be sure to get parent consent first thoug. |
User: funthreads
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: allie-oops
Date: 04-04-2006, 11:16 PM (10 of 17)
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Do a google search for your local homeschool groups! Offer classes! Thinking of doing that myself, but it sure won't be for clothing, lol. Love the kool-aid purse idea, don't think I'll be doing that either, mine will probably just be quilting. Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: funthreads
Date: 04-05-2006, 11:46 AM (11 of 17)
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I never had much luck here with the home school groups. They try to get all their lessons from other sources for free. Kinda like swapping talents amongst themselves. I had another idea...how about a sewing birthday party? They could come learn the basics of how to use the machine and make a simple square pillow. Have their cake and open gifts. In and out in about 2 hours or so. Just long enought to get their interest in coming back for more. |
User: funthreads
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-11-2006, 02:54 AM (12 of 17)
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You might also try to get in touch with local Girl Scout or Girls/Boys Club or even 4H club leaders to see if they would pass out your information. If you have a small town "free shopper" type newspaper, you might try placing a little ad or ask a small local paper if they'd do an interview with you. Sometimes the small papers want to fill space.
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: IlovemySinger
Date: 04-14-2006, 12:21 AM (13 of 17)
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I like the girl scout ideas. I did that when I was in girl scouts. Where are you in Michigan? If you are in metro detroit, I could give you some ideas on local organizations. -Megan
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User: IlovemySinger
Member since: 03-31-2006 Total posts: 27 
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From: kameline
Date: 04-14-2006, 10:02 AM (14 of 17)
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I live in Iron Mountain, in the Upper Penninsula... no big cities around here! Actually, I have had no luck with the Girl Scouts... too bad. Do any of you have any ideas on how to get parents in the community to enroll their children? I guess I have tried the whole Walmart bulletin board thing... I need something different, although I know that these things are touch and go... My cituation is, I attend a Bible college in Dunbar, WI, so I have advertised to all the faculty members asking them to pass on the info. A few of them have responded so far, but I need a new way to advertise in Iron Mountain. any unique ideas? Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: paroper
Date: 04-14-2006, 09:07 PM (15 of 17)
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I'm sorry! I just had a DUH moment! You need to post an ad about your classes, if they will let you at the local fabric stores. You'd be amazed at the number of people who come into fabric stores who do not sew. I got many referrals from the fabric stores for custom sewing. You also need to post in the laundry mats and local dry cleaners. I received many customers from all of those places. Although I didn't offer classes, I did receive requests (for lessons) from those spots too.
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: MartySews
Date: 04-16-2006, 11:50 PM (16 of 17)
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Your local Hancock Fabric store has an area to post flyers and business cards. It's usually near the cash register. Talk to the manager of your favorite fabric store and ask if you can put up a poster or flyers or offer to teach a class in the store. I do know that Hancock Fabrics is always on the lookout for sewing teachers. I have taught a beginner basic machine embroidery class which was very successful at Hancock Fabrics. They handled the scheduling and collecting of fees and I was paid when the classes were over. Often when people are looking for sewing classes, they will ask at the local fabric store or sewing machine dealership. Hope this helps you. Good luck and Happy Stitching! Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: funthreads
Date: 04-19-2006, 02:47 PM (17 of 17)
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I just saw a neat idea. A new store in town printed a bunch of ads (their name, address and phone number) on those big magnets that you can stick on your car door. They must have given them away because they are everywhere in town right now. Even when your are parked you are advertising
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User: funthreads
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 17 |
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