Replies

1. 
   Teaf5 | Aug 14, 2007 02:49am | #1

   A good way to determine teaching prices is to find out what grade school tutors in your area make per hour.  Within an hour of my home, the pay rate for tutors ranges anywhere from $10 per hour to $50 or $75 per hour, depending on the neighborhood or community.  People who pay $20/hour for their children's math tutor are likely to feel comfortable paying the same to a sewing teacher.

   Unfortunately, most people don't see sewing as the kind of mastery that warrants a reasonable salary; for that reason, I usually trade for another service or skill, working with the person to determine what we both feel is a fair deal.  I always give away my sewing expertise to kids and newcomers because I am hoping to attract more people to the field.

2. 
   DesignandSew | Aug 15, 2007 04:22am | #2

   I've taught sewing in a few different settings and believe you can make more per hour by setting a price per project per your specs.  In other words...you can offer a class for a few people (adults or children) to make a skirt from a specified pattern over say  three or four two or three hour classes.  You provide the location and the expertise and they must provide their own materials and machine.  One of the few places that offer sewing lessons in our area charge $55 to learn how to sew a 10 gore skirt with a facing waistband and invisible zipper in three, three hour classes.  We usually didn't finish the hem but they could finish it at home.  I did send students home with homework if they fell behind.  If they missed a class then they missed a class.  This particular class wasn't offered year round so a student couldn't catch up in the next round if they missed a class.  You can also offer a "free" sew in which you assist students with their own projects at a specified time for so many hours.  Students can buy a "package" of lessons (hours) to be used by a specific expiration date for individual projects.  At the store I mentioned above we did individual lessons for $20 an hour last year.  Don't be afraid to charge...wouldn't you expect to pay someone for their expertise?  Home sewing, especially for clothing, is becoming a lost art so your knowledge and time is worth it.  Group lessons can be fun for everyone and profitable for you.  Good luck!

3. 
   jjgg | Aug 15, 2007 03:27pm | #3

   Another way of determining the cost of a class is, lets say your hourly wage is $25.00/hr. You want a minimum of 4 students, so each has to pay $6.25/hr for the class., If the class is 3 hrs long and 3 different sessions, then the cost for the class is $56.25. (you can round that to $55.00 or round it up - just make it a nicer number. Then, if you get 5 students sign up you've made an extra fee.If you teach at a store, know what portion of the fee the store takes and figure that into the cost of the class. Then, take a look at the total cost for the class, ($55.00) see if anyone else in your area is teaching a class that is sort of equivalent and are they charging similar prices? or would you pay that amount to take a class?

4. 
   starzoe | Aug 15, 2007 08:53pm | #4

   Whatever fee you decide on, be sure to count in your preparation time. I found, when teaching sewing, pattern drafting, etc. that more time was taken up in preparation than in actual class time.