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Member since 6/18/03
Posts: 2145
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Posted on: 4/29/08 4:49 PM ET
Er, man, actually. But "it's a man!" isn't half so fun to say. Anyway, I'm excited. With job changes for both DH and I we're in the happy situation where I"m no longer the primary wage earner and, in fact, only have to bring home a little each month to support our grad school and eating and living somewhere besides the street habits. Which is good as I start my (unpaid - ask me about that under rants sometime) internship next semester and won't have the time needed to continue at my current job. So I started to put together small group sewing classes and advertising them. I'll start this summer and see how it goes and if I want to continue next fall teaching a few classes or if retail is calling my name.

So I started advertising just a few days ago. I put out a few flyers and have more to put up and got a website going for it (just a modified blog) and today I got my first registration letter and check! And although I've been promoting it as something for males and females alike, I was still surprised that my first student is a guy. We're in a conservative setting and I thought ... well, I was wrong and I'm glad of it. It does make me look over my lesson plans and rethink if any of the projects are too girly. But that's good!

Anyway, I'm excited and wanted to share. Thank you all for all the help you gave to help me get this started!
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Kit
"Never underestimate the power of the right dress!" - drsue
"Hyu gots to know how to sveet tok de costumers, dollink" - Girl Genius, 11-24-08
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 8572
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Posted on: 4/29/08 5:42 PM ET
I think that's great! The few men we have here on PR are either experts or so eager to try challenging projects that I have no doubt they will all be able to outsew the rest of us in record time. Do you suppose we'll have competition in the field of stash acquisition? Is there any chance that sewing is the Modern Millenium apple - and you are Eve?
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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'



  
Member since 5/19/06
Posts: 1771
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Posted on: 4/29/08 5:49 PM ET
In reply to KitnRose
I'm curious: What is his motivation to learn to sew? Does he want to sew for himself, for others, to make things for a specific interest (maybe upholstery or a sport), or because the sewing machine is a really great power tool? Maybe some other reason?
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Fictionfan
  
Member since 3/20/06
Posts: 1146
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Posted on: 4/29/08 5:52 PM ET
Sounds good, but do be careful. Will there be other people with you when you are teaching him? I'm sorry, but it seems a bit scary to me. I'm sure you are being careful- it just needs to be said. If something were to happen to you, I'd feel terrible for not typing this.

I don't want to burst your bubble. I hope it's legit. Congratulations!

Ronda
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I don't mind going to work but it's that 8 hour wait to go home that's a B!TCH.
  
Member since 11/5/02
Posts: 2755
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Posted on: 4/29/08 6:04 PM ET
And if he wants to sew "dancewear", LOOK OUT!
Actually, congrats on your first student! I can relate!
Teaching sewing is the most fun I have had and GOT PAID FOR IT!
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Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Janome Coverpro 1000, Babylock BLCS, Juki 654 (2), Babylock Spirit, Juki TL2010q, Brother PE770
  
Member since 6/18/03
Posts: 2145
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Posted on: 4/29/08 6:18 PM ET
In reply to Mrs.Moos
Quote: Mrs.Moos
And if he wants to sew "dancewear", LOOK OUT! :eek:

:eek:

What's scary is I know the guy and ... wow ... the unwanted mental picture is leaving scars. No, he's a great guy but, um, there's only a small percentage of guys who can be exotic dancers and, well, he's in the majority. Since I work better as a group teacher rather than individual (for some reason) I'm doing my standard policy of not cashing his check until we have a minimum number of other students so I won't be alone with him. I promise to play safe. Now here's hoping those other students materialize!
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Kit
"Never underestimate the power of the right dress!" - drsue
"Hyu gots to know how to sveet tok de costumers, dollink" - Girl Genius, 11-24-08
  
Member since 3/20/06
Posts: 1146
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Posted on: 4/30/08 7:21 AM ET
Good to know! Now I feel better and can get excited for you!

Yay! Sounds like fun. Here's hoping a few more join up for the party.

Ronda
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I don't mind going to work but it's that 8 hour wait to go home that's a B!TCH.
  
Member since 2/17/07
Posts: 2506
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Posted on: 4/30/08 1:32 PM ET
Good for you! Glad to hear you are getting a teaching business running.

I have to say that, as a guy, it makes me sad to hear (again) how careful women have to be, although I understand the reasons for it. Still... that's just sad.

Al
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A sewing machine is just a welder for textiles.
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 3623
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Posted on: 4/30/08 1:42 PM ET
In reply to Al Johnson
It made me sad too.
But cheers to the new business, new friends! Maybe he can round up a couple friends so you don't have just one?
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"What you WANT is irrelevant, what you've CHOSEN is at hand." --Mr. Spock
  
Member since 6/18/03
Posts: 2145
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Posted on: 4/30/08 2:14 PM ET
In reply to SansSouci572
I hope so! I only teach when there's enough students to make it worth it - the classes are a set price and if I only have one then I'm on the edge of not recouping costs. Besides, having multiple people learning has the double bonus of being more fun for everyone and being safer to boot. I'm encouraging him to tell other guys and get them interested. My only worry is that he will and suddenly I'll have to figure out what to do with them once I get them past basic sewing skills! I'm great with dresses and women's fitting issues and getting skirts to fit fantastically so my more advanced classes focus on that. Not quite what the guys will probably want, unless they like to sew for their wives. Anyway, we'll see. Worse case they'll all want to get into tailored shirts and I'll have to prepare by filling up DH and DB's meager wardrobes. Not a bad thing at all!
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Kit
"Never underestimate the power of the right dress!" - drsue
"Hyu gots to know how to sveet tok de costumers, dollink" - Girl Genius, 11-24-08
  
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