Sew What’s Up Presents
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: 03-28-2006, 04:06 PM (1 of 9)
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In pursuit of my summer sewing lessons, I have considered several options... but have still not settled into one... what do you all think? would it be best to have one-time lessons where we meet as a class three days a week for two weeks, and cover one project, or would it be more advantageous to do them as others do piano lessons, where you meet once a week for as long as they are interested, or in this case, throughout the summer so we could work on where they are in their sewing experience and work on multiple projects? Any ideas out there? 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: AndreaSews
Date: 03-28-2006, 04:28 PM (2 of 9)
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Parents in my area seem to like to book their summer programming in chunks so that they can plan for family vacation time and other day camps or enrichment programs. They seem to prefer the 1 x per week style for the school season.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: Sancin
Date: 03-28-2006, 05:31 PM (3 of 9)
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what do you all think? would it be best to have one-time lessons where we meet as a class three days a week for two weeks, and cover one project, or would it be more advantageous to do them as others do piano lessons, where you meet once a week for as long as they are interested, or in this case, throughout the summer so we could work on where they are in their sewing experience and work on multiple projects? It probably depends on how you learn and how tired you get? example: At one point in my life I liked concentrated learning and I tended to be poor at doing homework and remembering during spread out classes. As I have aged I find I get tired after 2 hours and really don't learn anything after that. It also would depend on whether you need to learn and practice step by step until you have mastered the skill before moving onto the next. Or whether you learn by finishing a whole project and later recalling and reproducing the steps by looking at your work. If you don't know perhaps you could try a one time lesson to determine for yourself or think about something else you learned and felt good about how you learned it. Driving a car seems to me to be like sewing, lots of steps to work through but once you know the little complex steps the steps blend and become second nature. My son learned best with driving lessons over 3 days yet it was a disasterous way with my daughter, who needed longer to practice and learn. Confidence is a major concept in learning.  You also need to consider how much time you are willing to put in on your own between classes to practice or complete homework. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: kameline
Date: 03-29-2006, 09:12 AM (4 of 9)
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I thought I'd better clarify... I will be teaching children between the ages of 8 and probably 12-13. I understand both sides of the consideration... on one hand, you don't want to bore them with a slow-paced lesson program, but I also don't want to overwhelm them with a one-time lesson where they may feel rushed, and in the end, disappointed with the results. Perhaps I could offer both? what are your thoughts on that? 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: 03-29-2006, 09:32 AM (5 of 9)
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Children are different than adults but adults tend to dwindle the longer something goes on, no matter how interesting the event is. Kids have so many things that they are involved in. Dance, sports, vacations, etc. Once a kid leaves to participate in activities, it is difficult to get them back...things just get in the way. I would lean toward doing one block in the beginning. I'd do just a basic project and complete it with the students. I'd decide on how often and how long to meet but I'd pack as much into that time as I could. Our college lab classes were 3 hours long. That gave you a lot of time to make progress in one session. OUr high school classes were 60 min. and about the time you got unpacked and settled into the machine the time was up. If your are buying packets for the kids to use, I'd make my first lesson longer than if they are going to be buying supplies, that is unless you are going to take them shopping. After the first block is completed, I would do short blocks and tell them that I'll call and remind them as each block starts. I'd do a blouse session, a skirt session, a pj bottom session (not necessarily in that order), etc. Every so often I'd run two sessions, one a beginner session and then I'd do a more advanced. That will allow you to replenish the kids that have dropped out and it will also give you a class to take "forward". It also give the kids who have dropped out for activities a chance to come back. 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: Sancin
Date: 03-29-2006, 03:41 PM (6 of 9)
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Sorry for misunderstanding you. I agree with Pam- in all that she said. Children want to complete things and show what they have done. As the lessons are "out of school" they probably won't appreciate any 'homework' and may not even have a sewing machine at home that they can or are allowed to use. You do need to maintain the excitement. There will be some children who are really focused and want to keep working. Would you consider extra lessons for those children? - those who may have started something else and more complex on their own? The one thing that is the same with adults and children is that confidence being the key to learning. FYI - from a parents perspective. I always preferred block classes for my children in the summer as it made it easier to plan out of town things. If they were in art classes or acting classes (which my children were) or even hockey schools that went all summer, I tended not to sign them up as it limited the sponentaity of other summer activities. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: kameline
Date: 03-30-2006, 03:47 PM (7 of 9)
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no problem!!! I have appreciated all the imput! Especially from a parent's perspective. At this point, I will be sticking with the block courses... that seems the most logical. I definitely want to allow the students to pace themselves. My goal is to teach them how to teach themselves... that is how I got started, and I LOVED it! As you said, confidence is the key... if they find that they can do it, chances are, they will continue on their own. My desire is to inspire a life-long love of learning, not only in sewing, but in everything. That's what makes this all so exciting to me! I can hardly wait to get started!Any more imput would be greatly appreciated... 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, 08:59 AM (8 of 9)
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Hello I teach kids classes in the summer. I do it like a week long camp with a theme set of projects each week. For example pajama party will make pajama bottoms, pillow case, tote bag. We meet Monday to Friday for 2 1/2 hours each day. Day 1 we learn how to use a machine, practice stitching and make a simple item to take home. They need the instand satisfaction or you will lose their interest on the first day. Then we move on to our other projects on day two. Summer is a tough time. People are doing so many things from week to week. Kids need constant repetition in what you are saying and teaching. The pace they move at is so varied depending on age and crafty experience. Some of my 8 year olds do better than my 11 year olds! You will find that they learn on day 1 & 2 & 3, act like they never saw a sewing machine in their life on day 4 (everything is moving from short term to long term memory space), and will come back like pros on day 5. hope that helps carol |
User: funthreads
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: kameline
Date: 04-04-2006, 03:59 PM (9 of 9)
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that is helpful! I wish I could do it every day for one week, but because I have a Tues/Thurs job... I must do it Mon/Wed/Fri for 2 weeks... which should help them grasp it for a longer amount of time. I have opted to do it for 1 1/2 hours a day however because of attention spans... some kids may want to work at it longer, but I can just see others falling asleep on their machines! Thanks for your help! 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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