SEWING LESSONS

Sewing lessons are starting this coming week. Whatever amount of sewing experience (or lack of ) - you are certainly welcomed to join us. The first few classes will focus on Mothers' Day gifts. In particular there is a Fabric Covered Photo Album Class(es), also classes in making Tote Bags, Intro to Sewing, Basic Sewing, and Sewing Machine Tune-Up and Maintenance. Please post your comments including desires for classes. We will also have minor repair/adjustment of garments classes, too. Later in the Summer Basic Pattern Alterations. All classes require prepaid registration. Please email me at: ladywhosews@gmail.com for class schedules and registration information.

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.

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.