Replies

1. 
   SewingSue | Jan 24, 2003 02:56am | #1

   There are some great books out on teaching children to sew. In my area there aren't many sewing books in the book stores. You could try the library. I haven't been in the position of teaching children to sew but would think you'd want to start with the basics. Since you have a computer you could print out some sheets with lines for them to sew on. Without thread or bobbin. Preferably an old dull needle. Just to get the hang of sewing in a straight line, curves and such. Another lesson could be cutting out simple block shape for either a pillow or a tote bag. That would teach grain of fabric, pinning and cutting skills plus threading machine, etc. Probably too much for one block of training but break it down over several sessions. Good luck. Sue

1. 
   beerling | Jan 24, 2003 06:48pm | #3

   Good Ideas Thanks Catlady

2. 
   lindamaries | Jan 24, 2003 04:31am | #2

   Hi beerling...Go over to http://www.sew-whats-new.com and see the beginner

   sewing lessons that they outline there. They are free.

1. 
   beerling | Jan 24, 2003 06:49pm | #4

   I really appreciate you info lindamaries. THANK YOU

1. 
   lindamaries | Jan 24, 2003 08:54pm | #5

   Also, go to Home Sewing Association's site. They have a program there for wan-a-be teachers to become certified. It is called Trained Sewing Educator. I did this in Chicago this past summer. Great program...tons of information. They hop around the country.

   Maybe they'll be coming close to you. http://www.sewing.org

1. 
   stitchmd | Jan 24, 2003 11:25pm | #7

   Can you tell more about the sewing educator classes? How many students? What subjects were covered? Have you worked teaching sewing, and if so did this help you with the teaching and with finding work?

1. 
   lindamaries | Jan 25, 2003 03:19am | #8

   I've taken three teaching certifications. The first two were at

   Palmer/Pletsch in Oregon. That was a bit expensive, but worth every penny I spent. Then a year later, I took the HSA/TSE course. It cost me $175. We had a big class, but that didn't matter. The teacher taught us what to say to students and then we practiced with a partner what she taught us. It was a bit odd teaching another experienced sewer how to thread a sewing machine, but the partner then gave constructive criticism. We received a whole complete manual on how to organize in a proper/logical order the first beginning steps a sewer should take. The manual also is a very good example on how to set up your own more advanced classes.

   I'm getting ready to start the teaching division of my business. Up until now, I've been custom sewing and altering. I'm just now ready to invest in six mechanical machines for my classroom. I was hunting and hunting for machines and finally found the brand that will allow home based sales of machines. Most of the sewing machine brands do not allow sales of machines from a home based business. I wanted to be able to sell a beginner the machine that they learned to sew on should they want to buy one for their home use. I didn't think that it was right for me to do all the work of training them, just to have them be forced to go off and purchase a different machine from someone else. Someday I'll have a store front, but that is a big step for a business...especially a sewing one.

3. 
   07ranch | Jan 24, 2003 09:25pm | #6

    I would suggest, Foundation Paper Piecing,

   I recently came aware of this technique, found several on the 'net and printed them out, I let my nearly 10 year old daughter do the fullsize pattern(approx. 11") she selected the fabric (perfect for scraps) and with some help from me to line up the pieces, essentially did it herself. She learned how to stitch a straight line, start and stop precicely, measure and clip seams, color selection, plus at the end she has something to continue with, I think children need to have something to show off. I was inspired myself and did 2, 4" waterlilly blocks that I plan to use to embellish some pillowcases.

   On the river of life.... it's best to  go with the flow. <*)^^<   <*)))){   <*)}}}[<