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Teach someone to sew! (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 2/24/10 9:36 AM ET
I have a lovely neighbor who is just darling, and who has become a good friend. Our dogs have play dates together quite often. She does a little bit of sewing, mostly for her poodle. She is home after back surgery, and suddenly got the urge to learn how to sew! She actually had some very nice fabric and some simple patterns her mom had given her several years ago, but she never really had the urge before. She wanted to use a pattern she had purchased off e-bay, and believe me, it says it's perfect for beginners, but there are no directions, and the pattern is not well thought out. There are whole pieces that are missing (facings, etc.)
Well, we got the pattern traced off, added a little (she had bought the wrong size) and got it cut out. She came over last night to baste a few things before sewing on the machine. Her simple enthusiasm was infectious. She followed my instructions carefully, and I think we are going to have a wonderful success. She is already purchasing fabric for her next project!
This has been wonderful for me too. I suddenly see the whole process in a new light. She took such joy in completing the simplest task, that it really boosted my spirits. It turned from work to play, and believe me, I needed that reminder, that my sewing is what I do for play and relaxation...there are no tried and true rules, I can do whatever I want, when I want and it's really just for my own personal enjoyment! I had lost that somewhere along the way, and I am so delighted to have it back.
She is coming over for a little bit tonight so that I can get her acquainted with a sewing machine..
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Well, we got the pattern traced off, added a little (she had bought the wrong size) and got it cut out. She came over last night to baste a few things before sewing on the machine. Her simple enthusiasm was infectious. She followed my instructions carefully, and I think we are going to have a wonderful success. She is already purchasing fabric for her next project!
This has been wonderful for me too. I suddenly see the whole process in a new light. She took such joy in completing the simplest task, that it really boosted my spirits. It turned from work to play, and believe me, I needed that reminder, that my sewing is what I do for play and relaxation...there are no tried and true rules, I can do whatever I want, when I want and it's really just for my own personal enjoyment! I had lost that somewhere along the way, and I am so delighted to have it back.
She is coming over for a little bit tonight so that I can get her acquainted with a sewing machine..
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Deb: www.thinkingcouture.blogspot.com
Posted on: 2/24/10 10:21 AM ET
Deb - your post is inspiring me to teach a young friend. I have been hesitating as I know from other things that she is not a quick learner and she can be a bit needy. I don't want to get pulled into something that cuts into my rare bit of sewing time. But she is very sweet and has expressed interest pretty consistently over a couple of years and I did buy a thrift store machine with her in mind, so I think I will take your advice and just jump in!
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 2/24/10 12:40 PM ET
In reply to tourist
I would strongly urge you to give it a try. As for the girl being needy, as the teacher, you can set the length and frequency of lessons. When my friend left last night, she told me she would be back today. I told her that was fine, but to call before she comes over, in case work runs late, or in case I'm just worn out by the end of the day....which does happen occasionally. I think if you limit your availability, she will get the message that you cannot devote all of your free time to teaching her. As we go on, I will definitely set some guidelines and small boundaries so that this continues to be a pleasant experience for the both of us.
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Deb: www.thinkingcouture.blogspot.com
Board Moderator
Member since 7/1/08
Posts: 5331
Member since 7/1/08
Posts: 5331
Massachusetts USA
Skill: Advanced
Skill: Advanced
Posted on: 2/24/10 1:02 PM ET
Funny you should post this now- I just decided I would start sewing lessons after school for a small group of hand picked girls after school. No I'm not being sexist- in middle school you always separate girls and boys if you really want to have their attention!
I've approached 2 girls who are super excited to start. I told each of them they could pick a friend. We will start with small pieced quilts just to learn to use the machine. Then do simple clothing. The girls are very bright and I think they'll catch on quickly.
I love teaching science- but this will be a nice end to my Thursdays!
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I've approached 2 girls who are super excited to start. I told each of them they could pick a friend. We will start with small pieced quilts just to learn to use the machine. Then do simple clothing. The girls are very bright and I think they'll catch on quickly.
I love teaching science- but this will be a nice end to my Thursdays!
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Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
Posted on: 2/24/10 1:40 PM ET
I love teaching people to sew. I worked six months at a quilt shop and taught people how to use their new machines. It was so much fun. I would really like to teach others how to sew clothes, but not sure how to get going with that?
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Ada
Posted on: 2/24/10 1:42 PM ET
There is a younger woman at my job who has been admiring my "custom" wardrobe for a while now. I'm helping her stalk her first machine on Craigslist now. Once she gets a machine, I told her I would teach her what I know (what little that is). I really can't want to get started with her! She is such a sweet young woman and I would love to help get her started.
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Erin in Dallas
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 2/24/10 3:23 PM ET
Oh my, this reminds me of when I started teaching my friend to sew. I've been sewing for 5 years now and she has too. Funny how that works. I acutally had been sewing for 6 months when she decided I was going to be her teacher. We started really early on her halloween project. An insanely complex victorian fairy costume. ^_^
I didnt' live at home, had no one to tell me that I maybe should've started smaller so I jumped head first into all the major projects that I hear are "difficult". Between the two of us we got the costume finished and did a great job. The best part was there was a lot of laughter to be had and we both learned a lot.
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I didnt' live at home, had no one to tell me that I maybe should've started smaller so I jumped head first into all the major projects that I hear are "difficult". Between the two of us we got the costume finished and did a great job. The best part was there was a lot of laughter to be had and we both learned a lot.

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I've lost count now, the walls are now fabric.
Posted on: 2/24/10 7:34 PM ET
In reply to Reverie
Reverie - that's how I ended up teaching yoga. I was about 6 months ahead of my friends and they just sort of nominated me to be the "teacher" when we practiced together. 
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 2/26/10 9:59 AM ET
I think this is a good thing, I really wish I had a mentor. It will definitely make this journey more interesting. I wonder if there are avenues to meet other sewers.
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2019 Sewing Goals: RTW fast, sew at least one tailored shirt (men or women), sew Jeans
2019 50 Yard Dash:
Jan 7.5yds
2019 50 Yard Dash:
Jan 7.5yds
Posted on: 2/26/10 1:30 PM ET
I've been teaching about 5 children how to sew for the last couple of months, and most of them just enjoy the whole process. I LOVE it!! I'm thinking about expanding to more students, I love it so much!
My own daughter is having a harder time with the process, I often have to excuse her from the class I've put her in, telling her that she doesn't have to sew. It's okay not to want to do it, but that if she wants the pillowcase with fairies on it she'll need to finish it. So she pins and sews one seam a week. The pillowcase will take forever, but at least he'll b able to say she did it herself.
I do think you need to set a time limit. I've had friends who want to come over all the time and they stay forever setting up a time beforehand like twice a month for 2 hours or once week for how ever long or how about a couple of hours on a Sat. until your project is done and then we'll try another project next month.
It's kind of fun hearing that youguys ar enjoying teaching as much as I am!
My own daughter is having a harder time with the process, I often have to excuse her from the class I've put her in, telling her that she doesn't have to sew. It's okay not to want to do it, but that if she wants the pillowcase with fairies on it she'll need to finish it. So she pins and sews one seam a week. The pillowcase will take forever, but at least he'll b able to say she did it herself.
I do think you need to set a time limit. I've had friends who want to come over all the time and they stay forever setting up a time beforehand like twice a month for 2 hours or once week for how ever long or how about a couple of hours on a Sat. until your project is done and then we'll try another project next month.
It's kind of fun hearing that youguys ar enjoying teaching as much as I am!
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