tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post1875207490542967766..comments2023-10-20T08:27:40.314-04:00Comments on male pattern boldness: What Makes a Good Sewing Instructor?Peter Lappinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-720219530752787812013-07-16T11:55:12.618-04:002013-07-16T11:55:12.618-04:00A late addition to a provocative blog. I taught s...A late addition to a provocative blog. I taught sewing for the first time last year and enjoyed it very much--it pushed me to review gaps in my own skills and help students accomplish a range of projects. College students are originals, and community adults were also admitted. The comments above are helpful and I will use them next year. I think learning to sew is a hands-on thing for most people, assisted with information from time to time, and with access to other ways of getting particular results. <br /><br />I taught myself to sew with a little help from one of my aunts. I was motivated by the pleasure of using my hands and getting better fit than otherwise possible (DDD bosom). Occasional classes--remember stretch and sew?--have helped me but I couldn't afford the serious ones. Since I have lived in mostly rural areas and worked full time where elegant clothes are not necessary, I have enjoyed giving pleasure to others with well made and occasionally elegant gifts. My home is enhanced as well as my budget, too, and I've learned to handle lots of different kinds of fabrics and projects. My library of sewing books is my first resource, but YouTube is sometimes helpful too. <br />Kristinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-91243276351808391362013-04-29T14:41:56.209-04:002013-04-29T14:41:56.209-04:00Hi,
Well let's see. I started sewing when I w...Hi,<br />Well let's see. I started sewing when I was 7 years old. My mother taught me. She was very patient then and continued to be a patient teacher through the years. I loved her style of teaching, basicly it was this is how you do it, now you do it Gabby, she would sit side by side with me. When she noticed I was getting frustrated she would gently tell me...go out and play for awhile then come back to it. It worked everytime. Today I teach sewing classes where I live and in other communities near to my home. I love teaching and never turn anyone away that wants to learn. I know a lot about sewing, knitting, crocheting etc and have many more things I want to learn. My method of teaching is, patients, love and encouragement. Lots of it! I would for sure take classes from other teachers, and encourage my students to do so as well. <br /><br /> I have a theory, anything can be learned, it is simply a matter of the willingness to learn, the desire and taking the time. <br /><br /> As for me and my love of sewing, I will be retiring my day job soon to persue what I love.....Teaching Sewing to anyone that wants to learn. I hope my experience as a sewing teacher takes me to many parts of the world, to help the less fortunate learn to sustain themselves using a very basic skill, sewing.<br /><br /> My son recently moved to Brooklyn, I will be staying with him from time to time, so that I may get in some of the sewing classes that NYC offers. <br /><br /> Out her in So Cali, there isn't many classes offered unless you want to go to FIDM etc. I will be in NYC June 28 to July 8. Do you have questions about sewing? can't find anyone to sit side by side and theach you.....here is my email Zionsnana2000@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you......ever so sincerely.....Gabrielle AKA Gabby P.S. Great job on the Blog.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-17909100939711201872013-04-16T14:13:48.369-04:002013-04-16T14:13:48.369-04:00I took sewing for one semester in high school, sim...I took sewing for one semester in high school, simply because there were no other classes available. We made: a pencil case, a clown costume, a peasant top, and a pencil skirt. Looking back now, I can see that those projects all taught useful sewing skills... but they were all the ugliest things ever! I was so discouraged with it, I gave up sewing for 6 years.<br /><br />When I came back to sewing, Google was my friend. I agree that some tutorials are too technical... but some are way too simplistic. I made a point of reading five tutorials for each technique I wanted to learn, so I would have 5 viewpoints. Then try it. Then do it again. I have always been a self-directed learner, so this worked out for me. <br /><br />I have fond memories of my mother sewing when I was little (my favorite thing she ever sewed was a unicorn costume for halloween). Everything she made was always perfect... or so I thought. Now she keeps telling me that she could never have sewn the things I can sew. Quite an ego stroke, IMHO. <br /><br />I have tried teaching two people how to sew: a friend my own age and my six-year-old son. My son lost interest and my friend is... well, let's just say I am not very good at teaching sewing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-40067556470433839682013-04-11T08:27:43.461-04:002013-04-11T08:27:43.461-04:00Key qualities in a sewing teacher are clarity, org...Key qualities in a sewing teacher are clarity, organization, an understanding that students have different learning styles, tact, the ability to encourage, and patience, patience, patience. An understanding of the wider world doesn't hurt.<br /><br />I've had a number of bad sewing teachers. The best one I've had is Mark-Evan Blackman, the former head of the FIT Menswear department. He teaches an evening Menswear sewing class in the FIT Continuing Ed program that is open to nondegree students. <br /><br />Given the time, money, and the availability of an excellent teacher, I would always prefer to take a class and learn the right way to do things (or at least one right way) instead of stumbling along. Even sewing the correct way is tremendously time-consuming and I prefer to up my odds of success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-18276218928474563472013-04-08T09:42:39.393-04:002013-04-08T09:42:39.393-04:00I thought about you Saturday when I dropped my ser...I thought about you Saturday when I dropped my serger off to get repaired and saw the gravity iron they had in stock.... I never would have considered it before but you make a compelling case. Seems like something that would turn up on Craigslist frequently though so maybe you could save some $$ doing it that way?<br /><br />re: Sewing instructors.... I was going to do some kind of simple skirt making workshop with interested friends at a local sewing studio but haven't got around to it yet. Thank you for reminding me. Heather Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08273803885711033973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-3273115788103678362013-04-07T11:01:35.239-04:002013-04-07T11:01:35.239-04:00I took a home ec class in the days when girls did ...I took a home ec class in the days when girls did and boys didn't - take home ec, that it. Turn that around for almost everything else, sexual innuendo intended.<br /><br />Last year I started teaching my grade 4-6 class sewing. They made aprons (don't groan, we bake bread once a week, so those are useful!). This year, the aprons were upcycled jeans, so each one was unique to the student. <br /><br />My teaching style is a bit laissez-faire: try it, then I'll tell you what you did wrong. JK. I explain what to do and demonstrate the tricky bits. I introduce new techniques only when they are needed for the self-selected project. <br /><br />This age group isn't patient with much observation, so I give them room for trial and error. After a lot of ripping out, I moved to requiring them to show me what they plan to sew before they go to the machine. Still, they plan, mark, and execute with minimal direction. It's a lot of fun, and they're proud of their aprons. <br /><br />I've been offering a weekly Upcycle Club which is relatively unstructured. The students have all chosen to make bags/purses of their own design. Now we're initiating a weekly Fashion Sewing Club. Only girls have joined, and we're waiting for our patterns to arrive from Butterick-McCalls-Vogue. <br /><br />Am I a good teacher? Yes and no. The students might make faster progress with more structure, but both boys and girls appear to love sewing. <br /><br />BUT, teaching ignites my own desire to sew often, sew well. It's time well spent and some of my students will sew on for their lifetimes. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-44385764551994267632013-04-06T20:11:15.117-04:002013-04-06T20:11:15.117-04:00I started "sewing" ever since I could ho...I started "sewing" ever since I could hold a needle with my mom, but I really lucked out because when I was 8 I joined 4-H and met a sewing teacher. I went to Mrs. Crawford's house every week for 9 years to sew. She took in a handful of people, and through the years some would lose interest and stop going, but I couldn't get enough of it. She let us pick any project, then she would help us figure out how to do it. By the end of my time working with her (17 yrs old) it was basically a sewing workshop for me, where she would help me with the complex construction and keep me honest about taking my time on things. I couldn't have had a better teacher. She also taught the Bishop method, which made for quality construction. I still wear the clothes I made with her!<br /><br />I teach sewing classes now, and it is the same plan. I let people bring whatever project they want, and then I help them figure out their next steps. I am definitely not as good at explaining things to beginners as she is!Maryhttp://seamripperscompanion.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-29539977562826378362013-04-06T15:23:48.199-04:002013-04-06T15:23:48.199-04:00I learned at a young age by my mother who sewed fo...I learned at a young age by my mother who sewed for people at home. I had 3 older sisters who also sewed. As we grew up we joined my mom in the business. She was always hands on in teaching. She did not use pattern instructions much. She would look at the pictures and knew what she had to do. As I went on and would sew my own garments without her, I would constantly change the way the pattern instructed to do something. I later realized that they showed the way that it was easier to demonstrate on the sketch.<br /><br />My daughter and I have been teaching summer sewing camps for several years. We have a very hands on approach. We anticipate problems and warn our students about them before they begin. <br /><br />Nothing replaces a class taught in person. I have several tutorials on my website and will be doing more on the basics. For example: A common problem is to get a jumble of threads or broken threads when you remove the item from the machine. If your needle and goose are completely up, these are easily released.<br /><br />Visit my site at:<br />http://www.thelostapron.comAna Sullivan from The Lost Apronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04715469100528245804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-40080333334321838562013-04-06T13:01:58.340-04:002013-04-06T13:01:58.340-04:00i was taught to sew by my Mom, who learned on a tr...i was taught to sew by my Mom, who learned on a treadle; she took tailoring classes and made all my clothes, including the smocked dresses (have you ever priced one?). wish i could find the photo of me, pony tails sticking out over each ear, no front teeth, beautiful smocked dress...i'm going to call her right now and say thank you...so thank you, Peter, for reminding me.junewlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12261770009345484316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-83258180443673240892013-04-06T08:56:37.773-04:002013-04-06T08:56:37.773-04:00Love this post Peter and some of the comments are ...Love this post Peter and some of the comments are just gorgeous.<br /><br />I first started sewing with the help of my mother Jenny when I was in my mid teens... While she was a more than adequate home sewist she didn't particular like sewing a great deal, neither did her mother Betty who preferred tending to her many acres of garden. My great grandmother Jane on the other hand was simply amazing and worked as a much sought after seamstress... and would do 'deals' with her children... The bargain was, if Betty wanted a new dress for a Friday night dance (this was in the 30s and 40s) she had to do all of chores... Meaning my great grandmother got to do what she loved the most AND got all of the housework taken care of, oh and of course Betty got a new dress:)<br /><br />My mother wasn't all that patient, so whilst I was taught a few basics around laying and marking a pattern I didn't learn much else. Although still use those same techniques today. I must say of course that I probably wasn't the best student at the time either:)<br /><br />I came back to sewing a few years later on my own accord and haven't looked back.... I have never had any formal lessons as I could never find any that suited my needs at the time. I tend to learn best by mimicking, analyzing and by simply doing. Without proper tutelage it does to a fair bit of trial and error to really twig to some things.... Plenty of lightbulb moments of oh so THAT'S why I have to mark that, clip this, baste those etc...<br /><br />I do have a Modest collection of antique and vintage sewing books which I love love love reading but have never really used so to speak. I have been very keen to learn pattern making but have some very specific ideas and am very vintage centric so haven't found any suitable classes and am now looking into private tutelage if I can afford it. I am also insanely keen to do a millinery course. Let me at them hats! .<br /><br />In teaching others it can be tricky where to begin... SO much to learn. It does help to know what they want out of it too. Do they simply want to make 'a' dress, or actually learn to sew so they can go solo one day. <br /><br />I tend to start teaching with the absolute foundations... the fabric, reading a pattern and instructions, laying, marking etc before anything else. My approach is, you must learn the rules before you can break them:)<br /><br />What I do love about sewing is that the learning is endless, I don't think a project goes by, even a simple one, without having understood something better.BetsyJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08373523907665055901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-29751022636060691522013-04-06T08:30:22.077-04:002013-04-06T08:30:22.077-04:00Great post !
At this point, my ideal teacher woul...Great post !<br /><br />At this point, my ideal teacher would be patient and encouraging, but mostly geared toward excellence. And rational - I'm a technician, not an artist. <br /><br />I did classes once, at the very beginning, and my then-teacher was very helpful, she was very sweet and encouraged me to persevere although she didn't teach anything advanced (but I did learn how to use a commercial pattern with her, which is a big step for beginners !)<br /><br />I intend to take some "free style" classes next year, not so much to learn things, but to connect with other seamstresses. Still, I would love a real-life class on fit, because I think this is the one thing I'm unable to learn alone, with or without the Internet. Rosehttp://rosemiracles.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-31289616374600137292013-04-06T07:06:45.983-04:002013-04-06T07:06:45.983-04:00 I started sewing two years ago at the age of 14 m... I started sewing two years ago at the age of 14 my grandma taught me the basics factions of a sewing machine and then i started gaining more information through the web and books. For me a good sewing teacher or any teacher for that matter has to have patient and he/she must have a good knowledge/enthusiasm of his/her subject. In my case i am learning patternmaking and sewing from lady who is super patient and she is willing to explain everything and also give you alternative methods of sewing and it feels great i am always super excited to go to her lessons and i never missed them!M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03753897595344208316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-65334648362806641022013-04-06T05:13:38.317-04:002013-04-06T05:13:38.317-04:00My mum was the daughter of a professional seamstre...My mum was the daughter of a professional seamstress whose insistence on the One Right Way to sew put mum off the art for life. So I didn't meet a sewing machine till high school. My first encounter was the totally unexciting make your mum a pot holder class. After that, I graduated to the dirndl skirt which even I with no design eye could see was never going to look nice on my body and finally the sleeveless blouse that failed two ways. It failed in marks because of the bloodstains on the seams after the Unfortunate Incident with the Machine Needle and it failed as far as I was concerned because the One Right Pattern that we all had to purchase was totally uncool. I gave up sewing in school ASAP. How I came back to it is a long story, but come back I did, to find that sewing teachers no longer insist on the One right Way, or prescribe patterns. Instead, my wonderful teacher asks what I want to achieve and helps me do it, using the methods that work for me to reach the standard I am happy with. I think this is good teaching! Cleverclogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07168361912898524778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-52132266688132531942013-04-06T04:46:43.285-04:002013-04-06T04:46:43.285-04:00I learned to sew at age of 6 with my mom. In fact,...I learned to sew at age of 6 with my mom. In fact, she just gave the instructions how to use the sewing machine and let me play. In my teens my interest in sewing fade away, while designing became my obcession. I went to fashion school, but there we where more concentrated on drafting patterns as sewing. We did some basic sewing classes, but funny, we were not encoraged to sew, because we were "designers", not "dressmakers". <br /><br />I used to sew sometimes when it was needed, but I had a big gap on sewing techniques, which made me concentrate on more simple pieces or home-dec sewing, till about 5 years ago, when I decided to buy a vintage sewing machine. This fact changed my "sewing life" :). I had so much fun to use a simple and unconplicated straight stitch sewing machine! After that, I end up again interested in sewing clothes, now just designing. <br /><br />Now I am on a mission to teach kids sewing! In fact I give a 4 days free-cost workshop for kids in our community house, during school vactions. I try to teach the basics of using an electric sewing machine and everyday they complete a little project, designed (and cut) by me. The projects are always usefull things and they end up very proud of themselves. The kids are 10 to 13 years old, come with no experience and at the end of the workshop they yet can sew long lines and a bigger project. I am always surprised how kids learn so fast!<br /><br /><br />Andrea Cornellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-81275575494448411372013-04-06T02:53:07.898-04:002013-04-06T02:53:07.898-04:00Mrs. Scheopple was my 7th grade sewing teacher. S...Mrs. Scheopple was my 7th grade sewing teacher. She had a crocheted brooch for each holiday and season. She taught us to actually sew something challenging: a jacket with a collar, raglan sleeves, on seam pockets and a drawstring! All the students were so proud and our classmates impressed! Loved that class so much I can, after 35 years, visualize her. <br /><br />The pictures in this post made me so sad that sewing isn't taught in schools anymore. sewpdxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-88735215831560851262013-04-06T01:43:52.118-04:002013-04-06T01:43:52.118-04:00I think that when you are an established sewist, t...I think that when you are an established sewist, there are always gaps in your knowledge - there always are when you are self taught. It certainly applies to me, after 40 years! One of the fastest ways I have found to combat this is to sew with other people. It's a great way to observe other methods, get quick feedback and input into the project at hand without tying up someone else's time, and it's possible to reciprocate tips and feedback.<br />There are tons of yiz in NYC who sew and blog, why not instead of meeting up to raid Mood and eat, you get together and sew? :)MrsC (Maryanne)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14440723067459232998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-33924827199139325342013-04-05T23:52:31.917-04:002013-04-05T23:52:31.917-04:00home ec, 9th grade...that's the only sewing te...home ec, 9th grade...that's the only sewing teacher I've ever had. And I remember very little about her, either positive or negative. <br /><br />At this point, I can figure a lot out on my own. However, I'm no expert and would love to study with someone like Kenneth King. It's curious: I'm very visual, but I truly need the tactile feedback. A description on a blog or in a book won't necessarily click with me; I've got to see/feel for myself.Jean Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-31268412271884369302013-04-05T23:21:53.025-04:002013-04-05T23:21:53.025-04:00I started sewing when I was about 13 years old. My...I started sewing when I was about 13 years old. My Gran on my fathers side was the one who taught me the basics of using a sewing machine. Also my junior high sewing teacher was a bit of help. But my first best teacher was my high school BFF. She showed me how to make pants and hoodies and what not in her parents basement where her mom had a sewing room!<br />I went to community college and became a mens wear tailor, thats where I learned most of my tricks and skills. My teachers (we had two per class) were amazing! One of them was womens clothes tailor and she teached me that almost everything can be corrected by simply pressing ;)<br />Few years ago I needed a change of scenery and went to work for a young fashion designer. She designs mostly for ladies, so I had to teach myself how to make high fashion gowns and learned some very useful couture sewing skills via internet. She still calls me from time to time and s´asks if I possibly could come back LOL. <br />And I've also been a teacher. I am the kind of teacher who tells you how to do it rather then showing it, then observes what and how you are doing it and gives you constant feed back how to aprove yourself. Or at least that how I think I am...I am also very demanding. Aunty Maimuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13924032493704361402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-81999024949908188992013-04-05T22:29:08.155-04:002013-04-05T22:29:08.155-04:00I learned to sew from Threadbanger videos, other Y...I learned to sew from Threadbanger videos, other YouTube videos, books, and trial and error. I bought a sewing machine because of projects I saw on Threadbanger, and I thought, 'I can do that.' I have never had a course, or had anyone show me how to use a machine. I also took up embroidery as a hobby because of what I saw on a Threadbanger video. KatieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09490816270587466977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-52307874253366527592013-04-05T22:06:05.270-04:002013-04-05T22:06:05.270-04:00My mom is really good at sewing but I got so frust...My mom is really good at sewing but I got so frustrated when she tried to teach me. She is an auditory learner and I am a visual learner. She would sit me at the machine and tell me what to do, but what I needed was for her to do it while I watched what she was doing. I can't learn from hearing, I have to read it or see it in action. When I teach someone, first I ask them how they learn and then go from there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-74211343552168333072013-04-05T21:50:01.349-04:002013-04-05T21:50:01.349-04:00I learned how a sewing machine worked the needle u...I learned how a sewing machine worked the needle up and down in third grade on my mother's Singer making some "camping equipment" from old blue jeans.<br /><br />I learned how to sew boat canvas in my 40's (because I bought a boat beat up by Hurricane Bob) by using the broken canvas as patterns. I learned a great deal about boat canvas and sails from the book "Sailmaker's Apprentice".<br /><br />I learned to sew a fleece jacket from some pattern. I learned to change what the pattern said by looking at the first shoulder seams (and then tilting them down to match my shoulders 1-1/2 inches lower on the outside). I learned to make a shirt from some pattern (and to change the pattern by looking in the mirror) to fit my body, but far more so from taking apart an old shirt.<br /><br />Actually, I also learned a very great deal about sewing clothes from www.malepatternboldness.blogspot.com.SeamsterEast@aol.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-45922847189984603342013-04-05T21:44:41.879-04:002013-04-05T21:44:41.879-04:00I made my first garment in summer camp and don'...I made my first garment in summer camp and don't remember much about the instruction except that the counsler sewed in a zipper for me. By the time I took sewing in Home Ec everyone was told to get a pants pattern with an elastic waist and I was the kid who asked if I could have a zipper, since I already was sewing them in by myself.Carol S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-6739055323194971012013-04-05T21:44:11.931-04:002013-04-05T21:44:11.931-04:00I learned to sew from my grandmother and 4H. 4H w...I learned to sew from my grandmother and 4H. 4H was a great program. I made almost all my clothes in high school using the information I got in 4H and pattern instructions. I never owned a sewing book until I started getting back into sewing a few years ago. I now use books and videos. I like to take classes, but don't find many that are beyond beginning, but less than couture. I got back into sewing because I wanted to teach my daughter who was 10 (now 13). I gave a few classes to some of her friends and her. I think they enjoyed it, but my daughter is more interested in other things at the moment so hasn't gone much past pajamas. I found that enthusiasm and planning make a teacher better. VictoriaRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-18177274297073507162013-04-05T21:20:50.810-04:002013-04-05T21:20:50.810-04:00Love your story! I wish I had kept up with sewing ...Love your story! I wish I had kept up with sewing like you did. I can't remember the details of my home ec class, so it couldn't have been too bad, otherwise, I'd probably still remember. :-). I'm glad you reinforced M. Islander. I'd seen some of her stuff advertised and she appeared to be an excellent instructor, but there's so many out there and when you've been out of the loop for over 30 years, you have to not only be careful, but you're learning so much.<br /><br />I love the internet, but I think I'm still a bookie. A disadvantage about classes (at least for me) is that you forget it OR have nothing to take home to finish off the project IF you're unable to finish it during the class. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-91063656475260186112013-04-05T21:15:00.737-04:002013-04-05T21:15:00.737-04:00I learned from my mom.
1) I think a good sewing ...I learned from my mom. <br /><br />1) I think a good sewing teacher is someone who is a good teacher. It doesn't matter if they teach sewing or something else. Patience is a must, but so are communication skills. What a teacher is basically doing is communicating their knowledge to someone else.<br /><br />I teach martial arts and mostly adapt how I teach to how a particular person learns. Some people are really good at mimicking (they watch you once and they can do it on their own). And others have to be given theoretical explanations and/or plenty of repetition. A good teacher will recognize that and deliver what the student needs.<br /><br />2) Nope - but I would love to!<br /><br />3) Not that I can think of. :)Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08169959264408126187noreply@blogger.com