Being a (very) new venture, my sewing school has started with a definite ‘bang’. Classes officially start next Thursday but I have already been teaching private 1:1 sessions on a weekly basis and, whilst not full, the half-term sewing camps have been popular too. I though you might be interested to see what we get up to in these lessons so, with permission, I took some photos throughout the day of the students at work.
Today I had the pleasure to teach two friends (kids prefer to come with a friend) aged 9 and 10, both of whom own their own sewing machines and dabble at home quite happily.
This little girl brought her machine along as she felt comfortable using it and it soon became apparent that she was familiar with machine sewing, already able to thread it (almost) correctly and wind the bobbin.
My job was to teach the finer points, good practice and safety, so we went back to basics and practiced running and zigzag stitching in a straight line, circles (harder than they thought), corners and the concept of back-stitching to prevent unravelling. Appropriate stitch lengths and seam allowances were discussed as well – all the kind of things you don’t bother with when you’re a 9 year old desperate to just get on and make something!
Within half an hour both girls were ready to start a project.
They each chose some fabric from my stash and decided, from the options given, that they would like to make a simple, elasticated skirt.
Using the lines marked on the machine bed, they learned how to keep a consistent seam allowance.
They also learned the best way to put a pin in – all simple things that needed to be taught that they wouldn’t otherwise know.
The importance of pressing at every stage was also new to them, the bonus being that there’s no excuse not to do their own ironing at home now that they know how to use it safely!
The girls finished their skirts right on the virtual bell denoting lunchtime. A good morning’s work by anyone’s standard.
Here they are modelling said skirts, customised at the last minute by their request to add a coordinating pocket in which to keep their toy mice.
After a 35 minute break for lunch both girls were keen to begin another project, this time a messenger-style bag that is worn across the body.
Concentration was back on track again after a break – 3 hours is a long time to expect full attention from the younger students.
Can you see the student wearing her newly made skirt that she begged me to allow her to keep on for the rest of the day?
One look at those beaming faces is enough to tell you how much fun they are having!
Tadah! Messenger bags completed with 20 minutes to spare.
With two projects completed I let the girls rummage through my stash and allowed them to make anything they wanted in the time left. They decided to each make a small drawstring bag.
Both girls are desperate to attend the regular weekly classes that start after half term and signed up immediately – that’s the sign of a job well done I think, don’t you?
I thoroughly enjoy spreading the sewing love and it’s wonderful to see another generation being bitten by the sewing bug, a skill that will serve them well in the future and give them endless hours of pleasure no doubt.
What are you doing to encourage kids to make things for themselves?
October 29, 2015 at 6:50 pm
What a wonderful post Sheila!! 🙂
Your two new students obviously had a great time, all their creations made so well and showing the basics is so important, it will stay with them forever! Even teaching them to iron, their parents will be thrilled with that as well…AND, they can’t wait to come back for more – Brilliant. I’d say a roaring success already 😀
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October 30, 2015 at 10:53 am
Thanks Caren, the girls didn’t seem to mind going back to basics and learning how to do things the ‘proper’ way which, as you say, is so important if they want to progress to dressmaking. So far, so good with the new school!
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October 29, 2015 at 6:54 pm
I love this!
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October 30, 2015 at 10:55 am
Thanks – I nearly didn’t post this in case it was boring, but figured that I would love to read it on someone else’s blog so went ahead!
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October 29, 2015 at 6:55 pm
This is just brilliant! They achieved so much in a day – and what stylish girls they are. How satisfying for you to be sending them home having learned so much and with such lovely skirts and bags. I can see your new venture is going to be a roaring success.
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October 30, 2015 at 10:57 am
Thanks for your words of support and, you’re right, it is SO satisfying to teach keen youngsters and see them proudly showing off their completed makes.
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October 29, 2015 at 7:08 pm
I wish I had known someone like you when I was nine. I am teaching my grandson cross stitch.
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October 30, 2015 at 10:58 am
You’re self taught too then? So pleased to hear that someone else is teaching a boy to cross stitch – my two little ones love it!
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October 29, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Wow, great post! You achieved so much with these girls, it’s great! I’ve been trying to teach my children to crochet this half-term. They’ve mastered the basic chains so far! 😊
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October 30, 2015 at 11:01 am
Fantastic! Crochet is great for kids because they only have to contend with one stitch on the hook, unlike knitting, and it grows so quickly too. My boys have both crocheted blankets which they use most evenings in the lounge, so they get to see their efforts in use on a daily basis which is encouraging for them.
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October 29, 2015 at 7:57 pm
Wonderful, wonderful and simply marvelous!!
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October 30, 2015 at 11:02 am
Aw, thanks Pauline, it doesn’t really feel like a job because it’s so much fun teaching them:)
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October 29, 2015 at 8:51 pm
I love the skirts! It sounds really fun!
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October 30, 2015 at 11:02 am
Thanks Abigail, I think I enjoyed teaching them almost as much as they enjoyed learning!
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October 29, 2015 at 11:41 pm
How exciting! They are both so adorable with their beaming smiles. Their projects are really cute. Boy I would love to attend if I lived closer. My grand daughter and I went to sewing classes and we made pajamas. We had a blast! I have to say along with crocheting, sewing is a true blast! The only thing that makes me nervous is putting in a zipper! LOL
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October 30, 2015 at 11:04 am
How lovely to go to classes with your granddaughter, it’s always more fun to go with someone else. Zips are easy – you’ll wonder why you were afraid of them after you’ve done your first one:)
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October 30, 2015 at 6:19 pm
That is usually the case. once you do something once the nerves go away. LOL Lyla and I had a great time.
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October 30, 2015 at 5:46 am
I am thrilled for you Sheila – sounds like a huge success. Very reassuring that little girls are keen to sew and learn the skill. I am always crafting in front of my son and although he is still too young to coordinate completely he is always asking me – what are you making mum – I truly hope it’s one of many the childhood memories that he’ll look back on fondly. I’ll be sure to teach him anything he takes the slight interest in. Looking forward to the next installment.
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October 30, 2015 at 11:08 am
That’s how my boys started – they were interested in what I was doing and wanted to join in. Although it’s tempting to offer to teach them, it’s better to wait until they ask, then you know they’re ready and will be keen. We have already made so many wonderful memories of stitching together that I’m certain they’ll encourage their own children when the time comes.
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October 30, 2015 at 8:10 am
Fab! Adorable photos Sheila, looks like they enjoyed every minute of it. Thrilled it’s going so well for you, hope they tell all their friends 🙂
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October 30, 2015 at 11:09 am
Thank you so much, the new school has had a great start and all the kids have waxed lyrical about their experiences, so their parents have told me!
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October 30, 2015 at 9:25 am
So satisfying, I’m so glad you’re doing well 🙂 I recognise some of the fabric on one of the girl’s bags!
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October 30, 2015 at 11:12 am
Thanks Beth, how are your classes going? I’d love to read a post about yours too. I get parents to sign a permission form for photo release on social media, but you could always just photograph over their shoulder or from the shoulders down. Yes, that fabric is unmistakable, isn’t it?!
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October 30, 2015 at 11:28 am
Well I’m 1/4 of the way through, this course is 20 weeks long so ends in March. It’s going well, everyone kind of knows what they’re doing. We break for holidays so had a night off this week 😀 one of the ladies follows my blog so that’d be weird if she saw herself or the class on it lol I will do something about it probably at the end when they’ve actually made something 😀
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October 30, 2015 at 11:31 am
Great post! Without reiterating all that has been said in the other comment, I think you’ve made a marvellous start!
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October 30, 2015 at 11:34 am
Thanks Lucie, it was nerve wracking in the beginning so I procrastinated about the actual start up for far longer than necessary. Just goes to prove that sometimes we just have to jump in at the deep and and commit to it:)
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October 30, 2015 at 11:38 am
I think that applies to most things new;) I can foresee such success with these classes.
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October 30, 2015 at 11:41 am
Thank you – I’ll keep everyone posted, but not too much:)
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October 30, 2015 at 1:13 pm
How incredible. Are you teaching adults too?! I can sew a bit but I’d like to be able to sew better!
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October 30, 2015 at 1:15 pm
Yes, adults too, in fact that’s the bit I’m looking forward to the most:)
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October 30, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Brilliant. I’d book on but I work full time (sadly!) – hope they go really well. Xxx
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October 30, 2015 at 1:20 pm
What a wonderful achievement for your young students, a huge congratulations to them both …not forgetting their expert tutor obviously
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October 31, 2015 at 7:18 pm
You work them hard. Mind, they look as though they’re loving every minute!
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November 2, 2015 at 9:23 am
They were sew keen (sorry!) that they just wanted to make as much as they could in the time, even starting those drawstring bags with about ten minutes to go!
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November 2, 2015 at 9:59 am
Good for them! 🙂
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November 2, 2015 at 9:11 am
Wow, what a wonderful day, they look so happy. It must be so rewarding for you, although hard work too I imagine. I am so glad it has taken off so well. x
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November 2, 2015 at 9:24 am
It is actually quite tiring and very intense but I love it!
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November 2, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Yes, I can imagine!
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November 3, 2015 at 10:04 pm
Congratulations it looks like you’ve got off to a flying start. Your students looked like they had great fun and had brilliant creations to take home with them. You must be feeling rightly proud 🙂
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November 4, 2015 at 5:25 pm
I am a teensy bit proud, I have to say. It’s lovely seeing the happiness in their faces when they achieve something like this. And to hear them telling their parents excitedly about how much fun they had is amazing:)
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