Teaching: My First Sewing Class

Teaching a sewing class- TEXTURE SEWING CLASS

SOOO one day I received a message on Facebook telling me to apply to this job. The job was a sewing instructor position for a program called TEXTURE and the messenger (who I don’t really know) saw a few images on my page and thought I would be a good fit for the program. So I applied, even though I didn’t want to because I was nervous (Don’t let fear or nerves stop you) and I got the job! So this post is to reflect on what I’ve learned and to help those who plan to teach sewing lessons or a class of their own.

Side thought: I have taught creative arts, Fashion and art to elementary students so I’m no new to teaching but a strictly sewing class is new for me!

So here are five of the most valuable things I’ve learned so far:

1.       Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready! Plan for a big class even if you don’t have one. It was my first class so I expected maybe 2-5 people but 12 showed up. This was all good… until it was time to start using the machines and we only had 5 sewing machines to work with.  I also didn’t bring enough hand-outs, materials or supplies so they had to share!

2.       Again, lol, Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready! Have extra work to do for the fast learners.  So I had a strict schedule in my head of how the class would run but I didn’t think about the fact that I would have sewers of all skill levels. It’s a beginner level class but you have “beginners” who “only took a few classes when they were young”, “beginners” who learned a little watching a family member, or “beginners” who don’t even know what a sewing machine looks like. You get my point, hopefully. So have a few side exercises for them to do and try giving the more advanced people a “teacher’s helper job”. 

3.       Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?! Rubric. Have a plan; create a schedule for each class and for the entire program duration. You don’t have to follow it precisely but it helps. 

4.       Show off your skills! Samples, for every product or garment you make, have a sample of it to show the class. Visuals motivate the students and help them during their process of creating. It also makes them trust your skill level.

5.       No Pressure! Have fun with the class, learning should be a delightful experience for the teacher and the student. Be open-minded because sometimes students may know a trick you don’t.

6.       Bonus TIP:  Let the students suggest or bring in their own projects. They enjoy and remember techniques better when they choose.

Some helpful resources:

1. Sewing practice sheets: Sew these lines with your sewing machine, be sure to take all the thread out. the purpose is to create holes on the lines drawn so that you can measure your accuracy with guiding fabric and have control of your presser foot. Copy link and paste in your web bar: https://www.thesewinggeek.com/wp-content/uploads/Sewing-Practice-Sheets.pdf

2. Sample sign-in sheet: This sheet is so that you can keep track of who is coming to class.(View Slideshow)

3. Sample agenda: Having an agenda keeps you on task.(View Slideshow)

4. Basic sewing info: Supply handouts with basic information every class period students learn something new.(View Slideshow)