Kids can learn to sew with this fun, easy and profitable method. Start your own sewing school for kids.
Kids are missing out on a fun and wonderful art form. Become a sewing instructor. All you really need are the basic and fundamental techniques in order to share your craft. Begin by speaking with the manager of fabric store or sewing machine store and ask if they would allow you to give kids sewing classes in their store. Most of the time they welcome the idea, since the kids would end up buying their fabric, patterns, thread, machines etc. from the store.
Kids love to sew and teaching them sewing is so easy. The customers will enjoy watching the kids cutting and sewing. The kids will be so busy sewing that they don't even notice the people around them. They will be eager and happy to attend sewing class every week. The kids are a joy to work with and will find sewing class to be fun and easy.
For those of you who can sew and would like to start your own little sewing center, here is a method on how to teach kids sewing which has been tried and tested.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
4 students per sewing class
4 children allows sufficient time to be spent with each one, within the class hour, so that no one will be left waiting. They will feel that they have received full attention which will eliminate any dissatisfaction.
LOCATION
Children's sewing classes can be held in a fabric store, a sewing machine store, recreation room or even in your own home.
EQUIPMENT
Four sewing machines in good working condition. Two banquet tables. A large tool box for the sewing tools. 4 pairs of scissors, 4 pin cushions with pins, 4 thread snipers, 4measuring tapes, 4 gauges, some tracing paper, 4 tracing wheels. Supply everything the kids need to use in class except the material and thread. They will then see what is needed and why. Soon enough they will learn what to buy for themselves. An iron and ironing board will also be necessary. Chairs will most likely be provided by the store.
FINDING STUDENTS
If you set up classes in a fabric store or a sewing machine shop, the kids become available through the customers. If your classes are held at home, then make some fliers and place them on the bulletin boards at church, school, car washes, fabric stores, sewing machine shops and pass them out to friends. The news that kids can learn to sew spreads fast and soon you will be in business
CLASS SCHEDULE
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. 4 students at 3:45 to 4:45 and another 4 students at 5pm to 6pm. this allows for a 15 minute break in between classes for preparing for the next class. Purchase a Weekly Professional Appointment book to keep track of attendance. 4 names fit perfectly in each time slot. as they arrive to class check them off. If they are, absent mark an x by their name. If they call to let you know that they will not be attending class that day, then reschedule a makeup class. No call, no makeup class.
CLASS FEE
The sewing class fee can vary between $15 to $20 per class paid on a monthly basis in advance in order to reserve their space. The fee for the class is totally up to you and really has a lot to do with how many sewing instructors are in the area.
SIGN-UPS
At sign-up time the parents will pay for the month ahead and select a day and time out of the openings that are available. At that time, give the parents a list of supplies that their child needs to bring to their first class. 1 1/2 yds. of cotton fabric, pre-washed, matching thread and 1 1/2yds. of 1/4 in. cording.
Also hand them a list of rules indicating your expectations regarding the importance of a timely arrival and departure from class, If they arrive 15 minutes late for class, then they should only have 45 minutes left of their class. If they are 15 minutes late picking up, you are the one responsible for their kid. Not easy if you are teaching a class. Also note the importance of a call if their child has to miss. Add to this list any other rules or expectations you need the parents to be aware of. Parents actually appreciate this list as it shows them you mean business and that you are a professional.
TOOLS
Label every tool with your initials. Even if you are doing this at home, because the kids will bring their own and it all looks the same unless it is labeled. When the kids start bringing in their things, hand them a sharpie so that they can label their things. SETUP
Set up a banquet table and 4 chairs. Place the 4 machines at this table. Set up the other table which is used for cutting. Put the ironing board and iron where convenient. CLASS - Time For the Kids to Learn How to Sew
In the first 1/2 hour of sewing class show them how to thread the machine and wind and insert the bobbin. Have the kids thread the machine and insert the bobbin a few times until you can see that they are comfortable with it. Next have them cut out a 12x12 piece from their fabric. This will be their practice piece.
To begin have them over edge the the four sides of the fabric with a zigzag stitch. Explain to them that some types of fabric need this type of treatment so that the edges don't fray. Next switch them over to a straight stitch and have them sew from corner to corner pivoting at the corners. This teaches them the use of the presser foot lever and the manual control of the wheel in order to put the needle up and down.
The kids should continue sewing using all the different stitches and pivoting at each corner. This way they learned how to change stitches and could see what the stitches looked like. When the kids finished they will have something that resembles a maze of stitches. These stitch mazes always turn out beautifully which makes the kids so happy and the parents so proud. They are aslo a wonderful keepsake from their first sewing experience.
IMPORTANT:
Never pressure - always fun. There is no such thing as mistakes just
"Try it Again"
SECOND CLASS
The kids will actually learn the machine in the first class. In the second sewing class the kids can begin their first project which was a bag. The bag is easy to make and looks great when it's done. Most kids will finish the bag in one class. The Simplicity pattern catalog has this bag. The bag uses a cord to draw it closed. It also comes with an easy top. Use the easy top for the next two or three classes.
Each child will learn at their own pace. Some will get ahead of others. Remind them that it is not a race. What they need is good results not to be finished first. Their work will not be perfect, but it will be beautiful. Praising their work and showing it off is a great inspiration for them. The smile on their faces will be your reward. The bag that the children make in the first sewing class is used for them to carry their fabric and their sewing supplies to and from class.
The following is a list of EASY to make items for the children's sewing classes:
BLOUSE
short sleeve, pull over no buttons or zippers
SKIRT
one piece cut on the fold and sewed in the back with elastic waist.
SHORTS
elastic waist, choose a pattern that uses only one pattern piece to make the shorts.
PAJAMA BOTTOMS
same as shorts, elastic waist, only one pattern piece
BEANBAGS
easy and fun, any size or shape, stuff with rice, popcorn or any light grain
SCRUNCHIES
any left over fabric can be made into a scrunchie
SMALL BAG
this is a smaller version of the bag they made. For this use a 10x7 piece of paper and place it on the fold and cut out. Assemble same as the larger bag.
Pattern Catalog
Once the kids have made these items, then they can start using simple patterns. Owning a pattern catalog is a great help because you can help the kids choose patterns that are not to difficult for them.
The rest is up to you. Kids are so much fun and very creative. All they need is your guidance and support and you will be their hero. Kids can learn to sew in this easy, fun and profitable way.
To begin have them over edge the the four sides of the fabric with a zigzag stitch. Explain to them that some types of fabric need this type of treatment so that the edges don't fray. Next switch them over to a straight stitch and have them sew from corner to corner pivoting at the corners. This teaches them the use of the presser foot lever and the manual control of the wheel in order to put the needle up and down. 
