Sewing Summer Clothes

I've always wondered if I could do that. I think that I am good enough at sewing to do that, but I am just not sure about teaching it.

Brian Christiansen

The few people that I have taught have been adult ladies, taught one-on-one. Before we begin I ask them why they want to learn to sew and WHAT they want to learn-----Children's clothes, or clothes for their self, and explain that we will start on the easy casual clothes-----pull up shorts and pull over tops. They learn to read the pattern envelope and the instructions and to take measurements. Then we measure the pattern. We cut fabric on the 2nd lesson and mark with a washable fabric pen while I explain the importance of the fabric being straight and cutting on grain. I thread the SM. It's pretty simple after that. First and 2nd lesson lasts more than an hour. We meet for a 3rd lesson if they think it is necessary. I explain things as we go along and talk about thread and needles. A few ladies have already had group lessons and still do not understand what to do. I show them how to sew the things I already sew. HTH Barbara

Well, over the past 23 years I've taught all office subjects of the modern era, i.e. not shorthand and the like though, and speech and social studies and some math and yearbook and spanish 1. This year in year 24 I will be teaching beginning sewing one hour a day. I'm excited and terrified at the same time. Working on some projects this summer to see how they work. I've quilted loads, basic other sewing, not so much.

I do know that several students have signed up for the class since I'm teaching it rather than who taught it this last year. That is interesting too. We'll see how it goes. Who knows what year 25, and the last year, will hold.

Steven Alaska

Steven will your class be all sewing or a mix of home economics including cooking, shopping. Sounds like a good sewing class! I know that most of "my" sewing turns out to be mending, and I always clean the machine after each use. My sewing is for SC summers and not the cooler Alaska temps so your students will be sewing warmer items of clothing. In my sewing class at University we had a notebook of samples of different sewing---buttonholes, inner curves, outer curves, different seams, joining pieces of cloth, and it was graded at the end of the class year-- like a term paper-- to show we knew what we were doing. I hope you enjoy this last year of teaching your students! You might even decide to teach one more year. Good luck with this! Barbara in already warm SC

"Bobbie Sews More" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:2pqdnSiTrvVsHCbMnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@earthlink.com...

Gosh, I wish my pupil was that quick on the uptake. Sometimes I think she's a bit daft, but then I think she might just be lazy and wanting me to do all the work. On the other hand, she hasn't had much teaching, sewing wise, and even less encouragement. I guess her self esteem is a bit low and so I try to praise her for every little thing she does right. I had to criticise her cutting out, though, a while ago; it looked like someone had chopped through the fabric with a knife or an axe (she was allowed to use my Fiskars). Well, she has a lot on her plate and so I try to be kind on her. After all, she's learning Japanese (in writing!) and has two kids age 5 and 2 1/2 and a lot of other stuff.

Anyway, I must say that I enjoy teaching her, just for the sake of passing on what I know and perhaps making her life a little better. To me, being able to sew is a means of keeping the feeling of helplessness against the evils of life at bay. ;-) My DD is - at age 6 (almost) - not quite as easily taught. She tries to sew but gets the stitches wrong a lot of times so that I have to push the needle back so often. Yet, she likes to sew on her own, and does quite well, and with an enormous amount of creativity. Maybe someday she'll be my best pupil. I wish so much for that...

Have fun with teaching, anyway.

U.

Hi Bobbie

Minor note, this is my next to last year. Actually two years to go, and Bert, and me, wishes is was my last.

The class is totally sewing. The middle school is more of a survey Home Ec class. At the High School there is Culinary 1 through 4, all separate classes, Child Development, Tourism, Interior Design and Creative Clothing 1 through 3.

The back story is that the Voc Ed director waited too long after interviews in May and when August came around, the person had gotten another job. Go figure. So our social studies student teacher is teaching home ec. At least he does have some cooking experience. More than the wrestling coach teaching aviation and doesn't know how to fly. Same interview story.

The social studies teacher's sewing class was a joke this year. Lay sweat pants down on fabric, cut around it, sew it together, and . . . Anyways, in the politics of everything, to keep him in the building until his mentor teacher he student taught under retires after this year so they can hire him for the position, they made a deal with him to find somebody to teach sewing. That's me. And fire the student government advisor, for no reason given, so he can do that. Yes, that sound is me pounding my head against the wall.

My terms to say yes are that the back part of the home ec room is mine and all mine. The foos ball tables have to go, the screening door goes up to partition off the room for my students during fifth hour and it's off-limits to all of the cooking and other classes at all other times.

It could be a challenge. We'll see.

Steven Alaska

Steven, is there anything you need for your class that I (we) can provide to make it easier for you and the students? I'm thinking along the lines of notions, fabric, etc. If you let me know I'll see what I can round up and send along. You are still in the US, after all, and customs agents shouldn't be a problem (grin). Donna in Bellevue

Thanks Donna

I'll put the word out if something comes up. I'll now more when I've worked out some lesson plans and think through better what I'm going to do.

Steven Alaska

You'll be great at this class! You're so creative. I remember my sewing/hom e-ec class. We had to choose a simple pattern, fabric, notions and tools. T he pattern had to include a zipper, curves, darts, at least one pocket and one button or hook and eye. I think I still have the pattern. Let me (us) know if you need anything. I'm sure there are plenty of extras laying around out here. Good Luck! Have fun!

Hi Amy

I really am a bit excited about this. It will be out of the norm and something new and fresh as I nearly end my career. I'm hoping it all goes okay.

Like Bobbie had to do in college, I'm going to have the kids make a portfolio notebook of all sorts of stuff. It will be desk/lecture stuff that will get me through all of the drop and adds that happen during the first two weeks. (Don't get me started on that fiasco.)

Besides the notebook, this is what I have planned as ideas so far:

Chicken pin cushion - for a pin cushion of their own and very basic sewing techniques Needle etui - for some hand work and embroidery skills and to hold their needles. It looks like a small cottage. Wash cloth baby bib - There is a "horsey" to cut out and clip and turn the edge under before machine embroidering it on, along with the binding to sew on. Three Seam pillow case - For french seams and lining up fabric and a quick and easy project. And the wow factor of how it turns out. Duffle bag - Different fabric, thick woven handles to sew on, a zipper and circles on the ends. I might take my embroider machine in to do their initials. Boxer shorts - more of a true pattern and sewing in elastic Lounge pants - again the same pattern and making a draw string and a button hole on the waist. Vest - More of a fitted item, darts, "pockets", button holes, pattern, and instead of using slippery fabric, use complimentary fabric so it could be reversible.

That's where I'm at so far. Any other ideas to throw out there would be most welcome. Remember, this is an introductory semester long class. I will have the intro class the second semester, with new kids, but I could possibly have a few Level II kids second semester as well and will need to come up with some more complex patterns for them.

Always ideas, that is what is fun.

Steven Alaska

Steve, See? I knew you'd be creative! I would never have thought of an etui! I've made many chicken pin cushions though. they're fun and fast, and of course the students can use them right away! Enjoy! You're going to have a blast! I can just feel it! Amy

A suggested QUICK project would be to sew a tote bag out of a purchased place mat or dish towel where you sew 3 sides and attach straps cut from webbing for a quick open tote bag ( for purse, books, gym, shopping, or just about anything.) A pull-over fleece top that is the same on both front & back with the edges finished with a fancy machine stitch or a zig zag stitch (for stretch) to add warmth during cool days, or out of a light weight knit material for the summer (no facing needed.) I've seen something similar in expensive clothing stores. A fleece, no sew, neck scarf, 18" wide, to cover the head in case of rain, cut fringe on the ends. Index card size pin cushion of 2 color squares joined together, one color for pins, the other for needles and safety pens. This is like mine and the larger size makes it easier to find. She wants to make a poncho to wear instead of coat. Maybe with a hood. Barbara in SC thinking of quick items for DGD to sew

"Steven Cook"

These ideas are wonderful. I think you've got it. Gen

Steven, on the offchance you get some guys in the class, I often use some of the projects in Nancy Restuccia's book, "Hold it!" with guys.. tool rolls, tote bags, duffles, fishing reel/camera lens bags, aka golf club covers*... Here's her "classic open tote", so you can see what the instructions are like:

Her zipper tutorials are very useful:

I'd also point out Stuart's diagrams of zipper bags, down in the comments section here:

If you're doing an edge to edge lined vest, are you going to have them bag it? It's so much easier than all the handwork involved if you don't. And, like the enclosed seam pillowcase, it's pretty magic.

For basic guys' clothing patterns I still like KwikSew and Burda, but Jalie has some good ones, too:

Hats are another possibility for easy and susceptible to decoration and small amounts of fabric. Polarfleece tends to hide all sorts of wobbly stitching for beginners.

Kay

Thanks! Barbara

Thanks everyone. So many ideas. I've copied them over to a word document and filing it away and clicking on links.

You're all the best.

Steven Alaska