MANUAL for TEACHING SEWING CLASSES using

Transcription

1 MANUAL for TEACHING SEWING CLASSES using

2 Note to the Store Owner: Guarantee the growth of your business, increase your sales and your profits, gain new customers and inspire your regular customers by offering sewing classes. The introduction of new products, teaching of up-to-date sewing methods and sharing of new ideas, generates excitement and gives your customers the confidence that they need to enjoy and keep sewing. KWIK SEW Pattern Company, Inc. has been teaching sewing since During this period, thousands of instructors have learned to successfully teach and promote sewing. Your store is the best place to conduct sewing classes, even if you have to do some rearranging. Students can make their purchases after each session when they are the most excited about sewing. If you retail sewing machines, sewing classes provide an excellent venue for demonstrating and selling your product. If you do not sell sewing machines, it is always possible to arrange with a retailer in your area to provide sewing machines in exchange for exposure and commissions for machines sold through the classes. How to Promote Sewing Classes: To promote your product and the classes, display sample garments from the classes sewn from fabrics available in your store. Change the sample garments often and display a sign with each sample to let customers know that classes are offered on how to create that garment. Display signs advertising classes being taught at your store. KWIK SEW has signs available free of charge. Print a schedule and include it with each customer s purchase. Place ads in the local newspaper and on the radio. Fashion shows are another excellent method for promoting classes. Have the shows in your store, or arrange to have shows for groups outside of your store. Many groups and clubs look for guest speakers. Speaking engagements provide excellent opportunities to generate interest and register people for classes. Display sample garments and discuss sewing tips. Talk about the various sewing classes that your store offers and distribute class schedules. How to Plan Sewing Classes: When choosing an instructor for your classes, it is very important to select the right person. The instructor should be a good sewer, dependable, and have a pleasant attitude. If the instructor is enthusiastic and has the ability to make sewing fun, students will develop a tremendous loyalty to the store. These students will tell their friends about the classes and your business will increase. When planning sewing classes, decide whether handson or demonstration classes best suit your needs. Hands-on classes allow students to sew during the class. Demonstration classes allow students to watch a demonstration and then sew at home. Demonstration classes are the easiest to teach and require less space. With this type of class, there is no need for tables and sewing machines because the students do their sewing at home. The number of students depends upon the space available. However, if there are too many students, not everyone will be able to see the demonstration and there will not be enough time to answer students questions. KWIK SEW recommends fifteen to twenty students for demonstration-style classes. It is best to charge a fee for classes. People do not always attend free classes because they do not value them as much. Fees should be reasonable. The amount charged will vary from one demographic region to another. Make sure fees cover the cost of course materials, the cost of the instructor, etc. Collect all or part of the fee at the time of registration to ensure attendance. KWIK SEW recommends a two-hour period for each session with a ten-minute break after the first hour. It is difficult for anyone to listen for two hours without a break and the break provides students with an opportunity to look at merchandise. The best times to offer classes are in the morning from 9:30am to 11:30am, or in the evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Because so much information is covered during class, it is best to reserve some time before or after each session to answer questions and help individual students with any problems that they may be having constructing a garment. During the break and after each session, the instructor can also assist students with their selection of fabric, notions and patterns. Satisfied customers are your best advertisement. If students had an enjoyable learning experience, they will refer new students to your store. Hands-on classes are excellent for beginner sewers who do not have previous sewing experience. Sewing machine retailers can increase sales by giving hands-on instruction. This type of sewing class requires more space and time because you will need to set up extra tables, provide sewing machines, and allow time for students to sew during the session. KWIK SEW recommends limiting this type of class to ten students. If you have any questions or need more information about organizing sewing classes, please feel free to contact KWIK SEW's sewing consultants. They will be happy to help you in every way possible. Sample garments are also available for loan from KWIK SEW.

3 Classroom Requirements: The following is a list of equipment necessary to conduct class: 1. One sewing machine 2. One Serger (overlock) machine (optional) 3. Large table for instructor 4. Small display table for samples and sample fabrics 5. Clothes rack for sample garments 6. Ironing board, iron, pressing cloth, pressing ham, point presser (optional) 7. Bulletin Board 8. Black Board (optional) 9. Chair for each student 10. Sewing notions necessary for demonstration. Use only notions available in your store 11. For hands-on classes, you will need additional tables and one sewing machine per student (students have the option of bringing their own sewing machines) To the Instructor: Class procedures are written in a step-by-step format following a method for teaching that KWIK SEW has tried and proven to work best. Since demonstration garments are not completed during each session, we suggest finishing them after class and using them as store samples. As classes are continuously offered, you will accumulate many sample garments. Hold sample sales periodically in the store to clear out garments that are no longer of use. When teaching from a KWIK SEW sewing book, cut the book apart and place the individual pages in a loose-leaf binder. This allows the book to stay open at the correct page and accommodates the addition of notes and reminders needed for each session. KWIK SEW suggests maintaining a second loose-leaf binder that contains samples of the sewing and stitching techniques covered in each session. Staple the samples to heavy paper so that they can be easily passed between students. Keep the materials necessary for each session in separate boxes or drawers labeled according to their contents. Keeping materials organized saves much preparation time. Sample garments should be well made from various types of fabric available in the store. Display sample garments so that students can look at them. Session Format: The session procedures in this manual are written to accompany KWIK SEW's book "Easy Sewing the Kwik Sew Way" and the Master Pattern included with the book. Ensure each student has "Easy Sewing the Kwik Sew Way" by including the book with the required class materials. Students can purchase these materials on their own by referencing a list; or, the materials can be provided during the first session and the cost can be included in the course fee. We recommend four, two-hour sessions to teach basic sewing methods, which are designed for the beginner or intermediate sewer. However, KWIK SEW believes that even the experienced sewer can benefit from learning the most recent techniques. Students learn sewing techniques for knit and woven fabrics. They also learn to fit and alter patterns, sew T-shirts, blouses, pants, and skirts, and many tips for faster and more efficient sewing. Students are also shown how to use the patterns contained within the book to create an assortment of garments and styles. An optional, more advanced session can be added for students who are interested in exploring in more depth the creative garment ideas provided in the book. If students and instructor are interested, a "show-and-tell" fashion show can be added that allows students to display their work and trouble-shoot any problems they encountered while making their garments. OVERVIEW OF SESSIONS: Begin the first session by introducing yourself and summarize what will be covered in each of the sessions. Emphasize the importance of completing homework assignments to ensure that each student benefits the most from each session. Indicate that students must bring their completed homework assignments to the following session. Take a few moments at the beginning of each session to look over each student s work. If anyone needs individual help, this can be given during the break or after the session. Please remember that it is difficult for anyone to sit still for two hours. A ten-minute break after the first hour gives students a chance to move around, and you an opportunity to show store merchandise. Session I Session II Session III Session IV Session V (optional) Basic T-shirt, Shirt with Hood, and basic sewing knowledge Knit Tops with neckline variations Pull-on pants with pockets and Skirts Basic Blouse and Pullover Top with Neckline Binding Shirts with zippers and Master Pattern variations

4 SESSION I PREPARATION: Trace and prepare Basic T-shirt pattern to demonstrate adjusting length and cutting (page 23). Prepare a length of fabric to demonstrate cutting and marking (pages 11 through 14). Cut scraps of fabric for demonstrating seams and seam finishes (pages 15 and 16). Cut out Basic T-shirt (pages 23 and 24). Cut out top portion of Shirt with Hood (page 28). Fuse interfacing to shoulder seams and neckline. Sew shoulder seams and sew hood pieces together. Basic T-shirt, Shirt with Hood, and Shirt with Mock Turtleneck. 1. Show sample garments and fabrics suitable for knit tops. Demonstrate testing fabric for correct degree of stretch (pages 9 and 10). Explain care of fabric. Discuss interfacing and notions (pages 10 and 11). 2. Explain the Master Pattern. Point out multiple sizing and color coding (pages 5 and 6). Explain seam allowances, grain and stretch of fabric. Show Kwik-Trace or other pattern tracing materials available in the store. 3. Demonstrate taking body measurements, selecting size, and adjusting length (pages 6, 7, and 8). 4. Demonstrate cutting and marking (pages 11 through 14). 5. Demonstrate and explain seams and seam finishes (pages 15 and 16). 6. Sew Basic T-shirt (pages 24 and 25). Demonstrate hemming (page 18). 7. Explain stabilizing shoulders and neckline. Sew hood to Shirt with Hood (page 28). Students make Basic T-shirt, Shirt with Mock Turtleneck, or Shirt with Hood.

5 PREPARATION: Cut out top portion of Shirt with V-neck. Sew shoulder seams (page 27). SESSION II Cut out top portion of Shirt with Neckline Binding. Sew shoulder seams and center back seam of neckline binding (page 26). Cut out top portion of Shirt with Cowl Collar. Prepare piece of fabric to demonstrate cutting cowl collar. Sew shoulder seams (page 33). Cut out top portion of Top with Boat Neckline. Sew shoulder seams (pages 30 and 31). Prepare Appliqué using paper-backed fusible web (page 80). Top with Boat Neckline, Shirt with Cowl Collar, Shirt with V-neck, Shirt with Neckline Binding. Garments or scraps with Appliqués. 1. Sew V-neck (page 27). 2. Sew Neckline Binding (page 26). 3. Demonstrate how to make Cowl Collar. Sew collar to shirt (page 33). 4. On Top with Boat Neckline, fuse interfacing to facings, sew shoulder seams on facing, and sew facing to neckline (page 31). 5. Sew Appliqué (page 80). Students make Top with Boat Neckline, Shirt with V-neck, or Shirt with Neckline Binding, and sew an Appliqué to shirt or scrap fabric.

6 SESSION III PREPARATION: Trace and cut out Basic Pants pattern (page 57). Cut out pants with Pockets Method II (page 64). Sew one pocket and one leg. Cut out one Pocket Method I from scrap fabric (page 63). Cut out waist portion of Straight Skirt to demonstrate Serger method for waist elastic (page 62). Sew side seams. Trace and cut out Straight Skirt pattern (page 66). SESSION IV PREPARATION: Prepare selection of interfacings for woven fabrics and scraps of fabric to demonstrate applying interfacings. Cut out Basic Blouse with Long Sleeves and Cuffs (pages 39 and 40). To demonstrate Speed Sewing Method for collar and cuff, cut out upper portion of Basic Blouse. Cut out one cuff and bottom part of one sleeve. Sew cuff, shoulder seams, and collar (pages 46 and 47). Prepare Basic Blouse pattern to show changes for Pullover Top with Neckline Binding (page 50). Prepare scraps of fabric to demonstrate Hemline Slit (page 67). Cut out top portion of Pullover Top with Neckline Binding (page 50). Sew shoulder seams. Pants with Pocket Method II, Shorts with Pocket Method I, Long Straight Skirt with Hemline Slit, and Gored Skirt. 1. Demonstrate how to take body measurements for crotch depth and length of pants (page 7). 2. Using Basic Pants pattern, demonstrate how to shorten or lengthen pattern for crotch depth and length of pants, and show how to adjust pattern at waist and hips (page 58). Explain leg width and demonstrate creating a wider or narrower pant leg (page 59). 3. Sew Pocket Method II to pants (page 64). 4. Sew Pocket Method I (page 63). 5. Sew pants (page 60), and demonstrate fitting pants (page 61). 6. Apply elastic to waist of pants (page 62). 7. Apply elastic to waist of Straight Skirt using Serger method (page 62). 8. Show how to lengthen and add Hemline Slit to Straight Skirt pattern piece (page 67). 9. Sew Hemline Slit (page 67). Students make Pants or Shorts with Pocket Method II, and Long Straight Skirt with Hemline Slit. Prepare sample to demonstrate making Bias Strips (page 20). Cut out one Breast Pocket from fabric scrap (page 55). Trace and prepare Basic Blouse pattern to show alterations for Tunic and Dress (page 71). Basic Blouse, Pullover Top with Neckline Binding, Dress and Tunic. 1. Show interfacings, explaining how to select correct interfacing. Demonstrate fusing interfacing and explain how to apply non-fusible interfacing (page 10). 2. Sew Basic Blouse (pages 40 through 44). To save time, sew only one side seam and sleeve. 3. Demonstrate Speed Sewing Method for collar and cuffs (pages 46 and 47). 4. Show pattern adjustments for Pullover Top with Neckline Binding (page 50). Demonstrate how to prepare and cut Bias Strips (page 20). 5. Sew Neckline Binding to Pullover Top (pages 50 and 51). 6. Demonstrate how to mark and make buttonholes (page 45). 7. Sew Breast Pocket (page 55). 8. Explain how to lengthen Basic Blouse pattern to make Dress and Tunic (page 71). Students make Basic Blouse with long sleeves and cuffs.

7 For students taking optional session, have students look through the book to see how Master Pattern pieces are altered and mixed to create a variety of garments and styles. Have students select a style, trace the basic pattern pieces, and prepare them for alteration. PREPARATION: OPTIONAL SESSION V Prepare Basic T-shirt pattern to show adjustments for Shirt with Hood and Zipper (page 29). Cut out Shirt with Hood and Zipper, excluding sleeves. Sew shoulder seams and sew hood pieces together (pages 29 and 30). Prepare Basic T-shirt pattern to show adjustments for Shirt with Collar and Zipper (page 35). Cut out top portion of Shirt with Collar and Zipper, excluding sleeves, and sew shoulder seams (pages 35 and 36). Cut strips of fabric to demonstrate Loops and Narrow Ties (pages 75 and 76). Prepare a pattern to show adjustment for Contrast Insets (page 78). Prepare scrap pieces of fabric to demonstrate making Patchwork Extensions (pages 77 and 78). Garment with Patchwork Extensions, garment with Contrast Insets, and garment with Narrow Ties. 1. Show pattern adjustment for Shirt with Zipper and Hood (page 29). 2. Sew zipper and hood to Shirt with Zipper and Hood (pages 29 and 30). 3. Show pattern adjustments for Shirt with Collar and Zipper (page 35). 4. Sew zipper and collar to Shirt with Collar and Zipper (pages 35 and 36). 5. Demonstrate how to make and turn Loops and Narrow Ties (pages 75 and 76). 6. Review how to use Master Pattern to create a variety of styles and show sample garments. 7. Show how to adjust pattern for Contrast Insets and show sewn sample (page 78). 8. Show how to adjust pattern for Patchwork Extensions. Demonstrate making Patchwork Extensions (pages 77 and 78). 9. Review students modified pattern ideas and help students with their pattern alterations. Assist students with fabric and notions selections for their garments. Students make garment they created.

8 MANUAL for TEACHING SEWING CLASSES using Easy Sewing THE KWIK SEW WAY Copyright 2002 by KWIK SEW Pattern Co., Inc. This booklet may only be reproduced for educational use, provided no information is altered from the original version. KWIK SEW Pattern Co., Inc Washington Ave. North Minneapolis, MN U.S.A. TEL: FAX: Subsidiaries in: Australia, Canada, New Zealand Distributed Worldwide Printed in U.S.A.