Sewing and Craft Instruction

Last week I met with the Supervisor of Cultural Programs for the city where I live. We met to discuss the possibility of me becoming an instructor of sewing and other crafts to be held at various Parks and Recreation Centers locations within the city. She was very enthused when she saw some of my "samples" - various items that I have sewn and and some that I have knit. I was very proud of the garments I took to the meeting. She recognized my good craftsmanship in the items I displayed as she was familiar with sewn garments because her mother used to make most of the clothes that she and her sister wore while growing up.

We also discussed conducting one-day classes, and classes where there would be a series of sessions. I like both ideas very much because I have a lot of different subject matter that I could teach students who enroll in the classes. It seems that they have been looking for someone to teaching for a long time, and have no instructors willing or available, but citizens of the community have shown interest in wanting to learn to sew.

To start - I'd like to hold a Basic Introductory Sewing Class - where students would learn about fabrics, patterns, including how to determine the correct size pattern to purchase according to their body type and measurement. They would also learn the proper use of a few of the sewing supplies and notions available on the market.

The next idea would be a Basic Quilting Class - making a very basic quilt out of 9 or 12 squares (or rectangles) of 2 coordinating (or not coordinating) fabrics and a solid coordinating color for the backing. (My grand daughter doesn't know it yet, but I have 2 fabrics that we can use to teach her how to sew and she would have a nice quilt in her favorite colors.

Another class would be "Sewing with a Purpose" (SWAP) for a Spring and Summer wardrobe. The SWAP consists of usually at least 8 - 12 or more different garments that are interchangeable and coordinated. With that in mind one could have a wardrobe that would consist of 40 or more outfits. The garments to be made would at least be:

2 Jackets
3 pair of slacks pants (yes, there is a difference)
and possibly a pair or two of shorts
3 skirts
3 tops

With the fabric that is not used for the above garments you could probably get 2 or4 nice tote bags or purses, and a scarf or 2 - just to add to a little something to the wardrobe. Timmel Fabrics: www.timmelfabrics.com (NAYY)hosts SWAPs every year and the garments that participants create are quite extraordinary.

I will definitely keep you posted, so check back often to see the progress. I will also definitely take pictures of the students progress with their project(s) and post the pictures here.

While all this planning is going on and syllabus after syllabus is being prepared I am still waiting to get my hands on my birth certificate so that I can get going with teaching at Michaels Craft Store.

Note for the grammar police: Michaels Craft Store does not have an apostrophe, I checked, checked again, and even a 3rd time to be sure. The url for their website is www.michaelscraftstore.com. URLs do not allow apostrophes in the syntax.

Well...I simply couldn't resist

I just purchased a new sewing machine. How did it catch my eye? I was going through the cable guide and saw the word "sewing", so you know exactly what I did!!! ..."press select" on the remote control. The new machine is a heavy duty model made my Singer.

So, hopefully there will be no more (or just less) excuses for not getting something made up on that machine. It's being shipped and I didn't think to ask when was the shipping date or when I could expect delivery. I will make room for it by the end of the weekend.

As I drive by yard sales I always have tunnel vision for sewing machines. Sometimes you can get one for almost nothing. A lot of people own machines and don't have a clue about how to use it, or what to use it for other than simple rips in a seam.

I have many other machines - most of them given to me by friends who don't sew anymore or never could and had a machine that they knew they were not going to use. Most need repair and when I get that accomplished I will give them someone who could really use it or to a shelter for their use.

I was sitting with 2 of my grandchildren this evening. Arianna, my only granddaughter who happens to be 8 years old, going on 88 - I asked her if she want to learn to sew. She said, "No, I might stick my finger or something". Well, have no fear my sweet darlin' cause Grannie will teach you safety precautions. I didn't bother to let her know that getting stuck with a needle or a pin occasionally is part of the job of sewing. Rest assured that I will make sure she enjoys sewing and learns all the essentials.

She's creative so she will have a lot of fun designing and whipping up something for herself or her dolls, or even her mother and brother. I have needed a sewing buddy for a long time, and I am sure she will fit the bill. Then again, who am I going to leave all my sewing stuff to? She's also a beautiful young lady, smart as a whip, and would be the perfect model for cute little outfits for someone of her age. She's a bit of a clothes horse already, so she really does need to know how to sew, if only to make her own alternations and embellishments.

I may start her off with hand sewing by embellishing a tote bag with various trims and buttons or studs. She's done one before - Santa brought her a kit with beads and studs and she did decorate a pink nylon tote bag for her mother. I have 10 or so more of those bags, and plenty coordinating trim, ribbons, etc. to get her started and inspired. Heck, I'm inspired myself!!! I'd better get those UFOs out and make sure I've got everything I need to complete them.

Teaching Classes

Hopefully within the next few weeks I will be teaching sewing and other crafts at a local craft store. I am very excited about it because I haven't taught in a "structured" multi-pupil environment before. I've only taught one-on-one and usually just tips or a specific technique or two.

I'd like to teach two different types of sewing classes for all levels of skill. One would have to be a series of classes and teach students they way I was taught. I learned about fabrics, threads, machines, patterns, hand stitching and more. The alternative or joint class would be "let's make a skirt today"...basically taking measurements, cutting fabric and sewing it up all in one class session. I don't think a student would learn much from that and may leave the class with the attitude that they can sew anything. I appreciate that kind of confidence, but sewing is an art and a science and I know it's important to learn as much as you can. Heck, I'm still learning.

If you have any experience in teaching sewing please give me all the advice you can. I think I will start out with a craft class initially...maybe making a fabric covered photo album. Something in red with nice little hearts all over it - just in time for Valentine's Day.

There's still the lesson plan(s) and syllabuses to draft and finalize. That has been on the back burner with Christmas and New Years in my face!!! LOL.

Wish me "luck" and good fortune with this endeavor and let me know your thoughts and ideas.