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The Emporia => Sewing Professionally => Topic started by: warpbywarpweft on November 29, 2017, 15:01:12 PM

Title: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on November 29, 2017, 15:01:12 PM
I'm not sure if this is the correct place for my post, or if it would be better under another topic  (apologies I've got it wrong!).

I used to have a very corporate job, the one bit of it that I loved was training and coaching.  Fast forward a few years and I need very flexible working arrangements. 

I have had an idea that I could teach sewing, it's somthing that I've been able to do since I was 7 or 8.  I have a house full of things I've made, good enough it would seem for freinds to say 'do it'.  The thing is that they can't sew at all...

I have no idea if my sewing is good enough or not!  I seem to be suffering with a massive bout of imposter syndrome.  I would start out with complete and utter beginners, people who don't know a needle from a pin, and go on from there. 

I've always been a bit of a maverick break the rules, try and see just for fun type of sewer but somewhere along the way I've learnt how to follow a pattern and draw up a made to measure skirt block!

Any opinions, thoughts or advice would be wonderful!
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Sandra on November 29, 2017, 15:13:29 PM
You don't know until you try and if you've got enough motivation to make a start, then go for it.

Would you try small groups of people, or one-to-one? Where would you teach it? What would you be teaching...craft items...clothing?
Are there any other sewing groups locally?

I've sometimes thought of trying something similar myself, but lack confidence.

"I have no idea if my sewing is good enough or not!"... 0_0 Ha, ha... Same here! Altering clothes has been my only job for 35 years, and I still doubt myself.
I remind myself at times that some people are amazed that buttons can be sewn on and a simple seam can be restitched.

Sandra.
xxx
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: sewingj on November 29, 2017, 15:45:26 PM
If you already have experience of training I think that would be a big thing in your favour - so often people can do something really well but can`t teach to others!

If you do start off with beginners I think you would be fine. Perhaps you could then  further your own expertise as you go along - maybe getting a few qualifications?  I am  concerned about people who don`t have real skills but think they can tell others what to do - and charge them sizeable amounts for doing so.  There is a lady local to me who runs sewing workshops but I`ve seen the garments that she produces and I really am not impressed!
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Lowena on November 29, 2017, 15:52:43 PM
You might do better to get a qualification rather than jump straight in. Doing the course would inform you as to whether your current skills are good enough
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Vegegrow on November 29, 2017, 15:55:21 PM

I think if you have training skills that's a great asset.. as Sandra says have you  considered who or what or where .. What about finding a class to try and see how people work.. preferably not too close to home ..you don't want to upset people
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: BrendaP on November 29, 2017, 16:25:43 PM
If you've got training skills behind you and a reasonable knowledge of the subject you should be able to do it.  A good teacher can teach above her own skill level.

What you do have to think about is where you are going to teach and how it would be advertised.  Local Authority "non-acedemic" courses, if they still exist in your area, will probably have very high fees which means that they are difficult to attract the college's minimum numbers of students.   That means you will probably have to find your own location, ie rent a small hall and sort out the logistics of having cutting out tables, sewing machines etc, do your own advertising and be responsible for insurance etc. 

It's not a non-starter, but there's more to think about than just "is my own sewing good enough?"
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Lowena on November 29, 2017, 16:44:07 PM
You must tell HMRC even if you don't earn enough to qualify, and insurance is compulsory too.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on November 29, 2017, 17:11:59 PM
Thank you for your replies, it's given me lots to think about.

My plan would be most definitely to further my skills as I went along.  I'm thinking of a very long term plan, my youngest child hasn't even started school yet so I would be starting very small, 1-2-1 with one machine, then 2 machines later on and so on (we're taking tiny start up budget).  I am interested in working with the utterly clueless, not because they are easier to teach, more because I think it would be great to get someone who thought that they would never be able to sew to a place where they can make things on their own.

I'd love a qualification but it's a bit chicken an egg, any courses that stretch me enough cost ££'s, so back to the original idea, I need to further my skills as I go.  City and Guilds used to do great courses but I'm not sure where you can find them now.  I did part 1 of the fashion and design course, it was very good.

Funnily enough the other, logistical side of the idea I have been able to figure out.  I have found people who teach their (non sewing) skill from home and they have been really open about how to make that part of things work.

I did a craft workshop  (I thought pretending that I couldn't sew wouldn't feel quite right) and I, quite openly, got loads of ideas and tips too.

Local to me there are quite a lot of sewing workshops popping up, but we live in quire a densly populated area so I'm not too worried about that. Some of them advertise as being sewing teaching but are more like felt kit assembly... but then part of me thinks goid for them for having a go!

I feel very fortunate to also have a tax accountant in the family, I've already quizzed them on a few things!
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Lachica on November 29, 2017, 17:36:15 PM
Many fabric shops with spare space host clubs. I go to a one which is meets in a studio space above a fabric warehouse. Most other members met at a class for beginners there, and they said the teacher was good at explaining the basics but some people were disappointed that she didn't cover more advanced techniques. If you have teaching/training experience you'd be able to teach sewing, especially if you can help them with the basics. I would get them to bring their own machines though. Like selling, you have to believe in yourself first.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Roger on November 29, 2017, 18:55:16 PM
Go for it! As has been said- being a teaching communicator is the toughest part and you have that sussed!

I had an amazing day with a sewing tutor, and would love to repeat it, it was a getting to know your machine.... I took the 500a (out of its cabinet) and all the odds and attachments I have for it, she started by checking it over lightly tweaked the tension, advising me to oil it more, and being shocked at how high the foot could raise. Then taught me a range of functions: correct starting and stopping, appliqué, blind stitch, a few different hems, buttonhole making, attaching elastic, curved hems, then started working through the highlights of the manual different stitch patterns, quilting, stabilising. I made a small pillow with decorative stitching and a little quilted purse with a zip. It was so useful! The only thing we didn’t cover that I would have loved to was double needle stitching, a little niche on a 500 because you just stick in 2 needles.

If you do get started and want a guinea pig I’d be happy to, distance permitting :)
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Ohsewsimple on November 29, 2017, 19:26:37 PM

As someone who has been doing just this for over 13 years now, WOW, hadn't realised it was that long! :o   I can assure you that teaching the clueless is definitely not an easy option.  :)
Like you I had always trained staff in my previous jobs.  I always enjoyed that aspect of it.
 I was asked if I would consider replacing someone who used to teach dressmaking at a shop.  After various discussions and listening to friends, who had taken classes at night school, day school etc, complaining  about them, I decided that the format of 'bring your pattern and fabric and make something' didn't really work.  So I spent several weeks planning  out a course covering various techniques. 

If you have been training then you can teach, and you have a qualification in the C&G. After I had done mine I was tempted to do the teaching qualification but realised that I would be governed by rules and regulations if I taught in adult ed.  and I had no desire to be constrained in that way.  I'm not sure C&G is open to all ages  now.  They were changing it some years ago.

You need to think about what you want to teach and the level you will aim for.  I teach beginners techniques but also have a group that now make clothes and get help and advice in the class.  They have gone from complete novices to using knits, chiffon, making trousers, coats and being REALLY picky about the fit of their creations.  :)

As already stated, you need to think about where you will teach, will you provide equipment etc,  and insurance.  my students bring their own machines.  It is better if they are using something they are familiar with.  If hiring somewhere the machines will need pat testing.

How many people you want to teach at any one time will depend on the type of class you run, time allowed and the space available.  I have 6 at a time and that is enough.  It can be a challenge to get round to sort everyone out sometimes.  And beginners always have lots of questions and that takes up time that you may not allow for.   

My tutor always used to say that you just had to be a week ahead of your students.   :). I always make sure I have read through my notes, looked at my diagrams and have everything sorted before I start.  It just makes you look better.  :)
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: BrendaP on November 29, 2017, 20:38:50 PM
1-2-1 teaching is very demanding.  If the student is getting on OK with something you feel a bit guilty just twiddling your thumbs until s/he is ready for the next bit.  having too many in a class means that you can't spend enough time individually.  4-6 at a time is maybe the easiest if they are all total beginners.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Surest1tch on November 29, 2017, 21:42:02 PM
You might do better to get a qualification rather than jump straight in. Doing the course would inform you as to whether your current skills are good enough

I totally agree with this, I have no idea how old you are but if you're young enough a qualification could open a whole new world up for you.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on November 30, 2017, 10:19:53 AM
It’s interesting to hear what you did on your workshop Roger, thank you.  Especially after reading your replies I think that I would be wise to start 1-2-1 and build up from there, what may be a more advance skill for once person might be simple and basic for another perhaps?
I remember at the time being very keen on the idea of progressing to the C&G teaching qualification, I also didn’t want to be constrained, it was a very good but very strict.  One of my friends that wants to learn is going to need to be able to sew with very little resources, budget or time so as good as they are C&G methods may not really fit for her.
Can I ask how it works when people bring their own machines?  I did a sewing day with a friend a few months ago (just for fun, a day of child free sewing), she brought along an ancient old beast of a thing that charged off at full speed with when she so much as looked at the foot pedal.  The machine had other issues (it probably needed servicing) so all in all she didn’t enjoy it as much as she might have otherwise.  It was a world away from the experience that you can have from a nice well-behaved modern machine!  I know that you should be able to sew on anything, but I thought if I was in control of the type of machine used then I could provide a better experience. On the other hand, in the area that I live in some people interested in learning could well have bought a machine that was the price of a small car.
Yes to being a week ahead!  I have a list lined up on my mind for my friend, I just need to write it down perhaps!
I don’t think I am that young sadly…I’d love to do a course but I think I need to plan that in for when my smallest gets to junior school and I will be well on the way to a big 0 birthday buy then, but you’re never too old and perhaps that would be something to work towards.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Holly Berry on November 30, 2017, 13:07:29 PM
Speaking from the point of view of a learner, paying for tuition, I would like to know that the person instructing me was competent and knew what they were talking about. One way of ensuring that is seeing they had qualifications. The key here for me would be they are taking my money so I would want a qualified person. Also if they were providing equipment that it was fit for purpose and safe.

I am a member of U3A, which is an organisation for retired and semi-retired people who have skills they can impart to others who want to learn that skill, for free. We have a beginner sewing group that I help run and a pattern drafting group that I run. I did an adult ed course on pattern drafting course many years ago, so just ensure I am at least a “lesson” ahead and have prepared what we are learning. I like you was a trainer at work and instructed in a class situation and 1:1 basis.

Maybe you can help run a group on a volunteer basis to see how you get on and what, if any, qualifications people would expect you to have.

Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Lowena on November 30, 2017, 14:51:13 PM
I too would never pay to be taught by anyone unqualified
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: sewmuchmore on November 30, 2017, 17:13:17 PM
I moved from the corporate industry into teaching dressmaking, soft furnishings and creative textiles. The first thing i did was get a sewing qualification. If you intend to go down the trainee teacher route then you need at least a level 3 qual related to the subject you want to teach. It took 12 months to get qualifications in soft furnishings and creative textiles (1 afternoon a week per subject) and at the same time i did a Preparing To Teach In the Lifelong Learning Sector, again 1 evening a week. This course gives you an introduction to what is required to teach in a classroom i.e lessons plans, all the paper work that goes with teaching and how to incorporate different learning techniques into your lessons.
See https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/learning/teaching/6302-preparing-to-teach-in-the-lifelong-learning-sector-ptlls#tab=information
Once i had that under my belt i registered with an Agency, Protocol, who specialise in tutor posts in Adult Ed. Once i had secured a post i also enrolled on a Cert Ed course in order to become a qualified Adult Ed tutor (you need to be in a teaching post to enroll on the course). This took 2 years but again it was 1 afternoon a week (plus lots of homework.) I applied for a grant to cover all the costs, this is not means tested and everyone on my course got one.
If you decide to teach in Adult Education be prepared for lots of hard work and paperwork. I did 4 x 2 hour classes and i would estimate i did as much prep work as i did teaching, but you don't get paid for prep work. At the same time i set up my own business, dressmaking, soft furnishings and tuition, which i did from my own home. Tuition was on a one-one basis. You need Liability insurance and to register with HMRC and don't forget to notify your house insurance co. as well as check with the Local Authority re running a business from home. This is a good site https://www.gov.uk/run-business-from-home for info.
This a good site for info on getting into teaching. https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/career-path/teaching-adult-education-evening-classes-private-tuition
Hope this doesn't seem too daunting.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on November 30, 2017, 19:04:54 PM
[quoteI too would never pay to be taught by anyone unqualified[/quote]  I hear you!  I guess that would narrow down my customer base for a while. So be it until I can afford course fees.

I guess the qualification issue didn't cross my mind because the woman who taught me to sew when I was a child was so obviously talented.  I have no idea of her  formal qualifications.  Same as the ladies who taught me to curtain make, I was a bottom the pile trainee and they were harsh (which is why I sort of forget that I did that job...) but the stuff they produced was amazing  (methods backed up by well known reputable authors), both for the contract sector and private homes...again not a formal qualification between them.  Perhaps it's a shame to write off anyone not formally qualified because years and years ago we didn't worry anyway.

But, either way it's good to know some people may have an issue with it. 

Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Maximum on November 30, 2017, 20:31:44 PM
A qualification would not bother me as long as I could see garments made by the tutor and/or the students. The ability to teach and communicate and above all enthuse is so important, I want to learn to do it myself and sort out my problems - not sit and watch an expert do it for me because it will be quicker. I'm old school but I also don't want to be told it's good if it's awful - I'd rather discuss ways of making it better next time.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: BrendaP on November 30, 2017, 21:22:12 PM
If you want to teach people who aim to use the knowledge they gain from you to go on and get qualifications for themselves then yes you would need to be qualified, and it would probably also mean teaching in some sort of formal setting - college or Adult Ed, and they don't take kindly to very low class numbers.  When I was in Adult Ed 10-12 students was usually the lowest acceptable number with 14 or 16 being the target, sometimes more.

If your target student group are people who want to learn a new hobby, or just be able to make things for themselves and their family then your ability to explain things, show them what to do and inspire them to want to sew are the important qualities and paper qualifications aren't relevant. In the end a lot of it comes down to word of mouth.  Informally teach one or two people, be enthusiastic about it, have things to show them and they will spread the word if they like what you offer.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Ohsewsimple on November 30, 2017, 22:34:02 PM
What qualifications would you want a tutor to have?   There is a difference between a qualification in your chosen subject, such as dressmaking, patchwork etc and a teaching qualification. 
As I had no desire to teach in an environment that would force me to teach so many people that no one would get the attention they needed or deserved, I chose not to waste my time doing a teaching qualification.  I enjoy the small groups and it has led to some nice friendships. 
Many of the textile school teachers I meet in my job seem pretty clueless about the subject.  I find that worrying. 
When I did C&G my tutor was fantastic.  Your work would not pass if it was just OK.  She was always pushing you beyond what you thought you were capable of.  But then, for various reasons, we got an extra tutor and she was hopeless.  It was sometimes embarrassing because the ladies in the class kept asking for my opinion because she either couldn't answer their questions or they didn't like the answer they got.  When problems with machines arose she was completely stumped.  It didn't take long for her to take a bit of a dislike to me!   But she had the qualifications!
Word of mouth is the best recommendation.  I have students who have been with me for several years so they must be learning something.....or I am really good at fooling them :)
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Samantha on December 01, 2017, 10:55:13 AM
My husband teaches photography (private lessons) he doesn't have any qualifications and he's never been asked by any perspective clients if he does. What he does have is many years experience and testimonials on his website.

You may find that having some sort of sewing qualification might help speed the business up growth wise but then you've got to account for the time and money that would take. If you are a competent sewist and you can show this with your work then personally I wouldn't be too worried about qualifications, and once you've taught a few people encourage them to leave testimonials (we offer money off another lesson if they do).

He was also asked a few years ago to teach at the local Adult Ed centre,  they didn't require him to have any photography related qualification but they did say they would pay for him to do the PETLS I think it was which is a teaching thing. In the end he didn't do it because the money wasn't very good when you took into consideration the hours he had to put in both in the classroom and writing the course etc.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Morgan on December 01, 2017, 23:47:49 PM
Having attended a couple of courses run by 'qualified' teachers who were about as much use as a chocolate teapot I have been sorely disappointed.  Also I attended an accredited course taught by a very able (qualified) tutor but came away disappointed because the course content was overplayed and numerous times when a question was asked the reply was - for that you need to take our xxx course or our yyy course and the bottom line was an expensive course for not much real substance.

On the other hand I've learnt from some very skilled people, some of whom never even had a CSE, O Level, GCSE or certificate of any kind.

If paying for a sewing course, I prefer a tutor to be competent in the sewing area concerned and able to communicate and structure the learning session well.  That's more important to me than someone who has a qualification in either teaching or sewing. 


There is a whole can of worms about what 'qualified' means, especially when they've paid to go on course that doesn't have a pass or fail or a minimum performance assessment.    Often in reality a certificate means someone attended, followed the course programme and completed the assignments but there's little in the way of meaningful assessment of their aptitude or actual ability. 

Other than School/FE or HE teaching, The Teaching courses available are usually concerned with learning about teaching techniques, lesson planning, monitoring, assessment, etc. and are not about the subject matter of sewing.  In the absence of alternatives, the level 3 type 'teaching' courses offered by FE colleges can be a starting point such as this example of 36 hrs (12 x 3hrs per week) (https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/course/te1ec04)   


If you have trained as an instructor, teacher, coach, tutor in an organisation then those skills are transferable to other subject areas.  You will have an idea already whether you can actually teach and whether you are any good.

Unless you want to work in an FE college or in HE or schools, if you can actually teach already, you don't need to have the "accredited" qualification certificate.



Perhaps by 'Qualified' you meant taking some kind of accredited sewing course with some form of certification that will indicate to potential students that your sewing expertise is above a certain level.


As for the actual area of sewing -
The old C&G dressmaking / tailoring courses no longer exist although there are some sewing tutors around the UK who now offer their own courses that follow similar formats.  The individual schools would have to submit their courses for assessment by an organisation's Accreditation Board to attract some form of 'Qualification' status.  A couple of examples are
  Alison Smith's Diploma course (http://www.schoolofsewing.co.uk/diploma.php) which is accredited by the Open College Network West Midlands (https://www.opencollnet.org.uk/about-us)
and
Jane White's Courses (http://www.janewhitetuition.co.uk/city-guilds-fashion-and-pattern-cutting/) which may not be currently formally accredited with an Ofqual or QAA regulated awards organisation.

Another alternative for dressmaking is to invest in a Palmer & Pletsch teaching course (http://cdn.cityandguilds.com/ProductDocuments/Creative/Creative_Techniques/7160/7160_Level_3/Centre_documents/7160-03-13_L3_Award_Certificate_Qualification_handbook_v3.pdf) and become one of their tutors (renewing your licence periodically to use the P&P name).

For Curtains and Soft Furnishings, several FE colleges offer a Diploma course for Curtains and Soft Furnishings for professionals.  (The version of this course at my local FE has been discontinued which is a pity because it was a good skills building course for setting up or working for a soft furnishings business.)


FE and HE courses on offer these days tend to be Fashion Design or Interior Design courses and have a minimal focus on the sewing skills component which is where the C&G courses excelled.
Often the way forward now for developing competent sewing skills is the short course / workshops plus self-development route.


Maybe what may help your confidence is to have something that helps you to judge for yourself whether your sewing knowledge and expertise is at a level that you think is sufficient to teach the skill.

You can test your own skills by setting your own personal exam by working through a programme based on the content of relevant courses.  Below are just 3 examples of course content that you could use to create your own personal skills check.
http://cdn.cityandguilds.com/ProductDocuments/Creative/Creative_Techniques/7160/7160_Level_3/Centre_documents/7160-03-13_L3_Award_Certificate_Qualification_handbook_v3.pdf (http://cdn.cityandguilds.com/ProductDocuments/Creative/Creative_Techniques/7160/7160_Level_3/Centre_documents/7160-03-13_L3_Award_Certificate_Qualification_handbook_v3.pdf)
http://cdn.cityandguilds.com/ProductDocuments/Creative/Creative_Techniques/7161/7161_Level_3/Centre_documents/7161-03-13_L3_Award_Certificate_Qualification_handbook_v2-1.pdf (http://cdn.cityandguilds.com/ProductDocuments/Creative/Creative_Techniques/7161/7161_Level_3/Centre_documents/7161-03-13_L3_Award_Certificate_Qualification_handbook_v2-1.pdf)
http://www.paccprofessionals.org/msdp-certification-program-summary (http://www.paccprofessionals.org/msdp-certification-program-summary)


Re costs of fees -
If you don't qualify for free or discounted fees, to pay fees for courses run by FE colleges, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Finally, for the business side of setting up your own classes, it's well worth going to your local business startup workshops/seminars/courses.  You'll get a lot of help with working through some planning and help to consider different ways you could start your business to keep costs down.
If you do decide to provide machines for people to use, don't buy them - there are other ways around that.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Roger on December 02, 2017, 08:28:27 AM
It’s interesting to hear what you did on your workshop Roger, thank you.
Can I ask how it works when people bring their own machines?  I did a sewing day with a friend a few months ago (just for fun, a day of child free sewing), she brought along an ancient old beast of a thing that charged off at full speed with when she so much as looked at the foot pedal.  The machine had other issues (it probably needed servicing) so all in all she didn’t enjoy it as much as she might have otherwise.  It was a world away from the experience that you can have from a nice well-behaved modern machine!  I know that you should be able to sew on anything, but I thought if I was in control of the type of machine used then I could provide a better experience. On the other hand, in the area that I live in some people interested in learning could well have bought a machine that was the price of a small car.

With the ‘BYOM’ I did, the teacher asked me a few questions about it (conversationally) over email, I was very straight forward about the age and oddness of the machine, but at least knew the model. Checked I had a manual too. I think she did a minimum amount of research on it to check it wasn’t anything too wild and woolly. When I arrived she had a machine set up in her workshop that I assume was for in case mine was a nightmare  :fish:

Primarily she worked from the manual, in terms of how to get a stitch or effect or thread the machine (a bit different on an older slant-o- matic) but used her experience to adjust tensions  (bottom and top, I’d been sewing School trousers most recently and the thread was sturdy! ) stitch length (per inch) and to check the quality of the stitching, and of course how to apply the techniques.

She did decide to do the day as a one to one, because it wasn’t a machine she was familiar with.

I did read her website ahead of enquiring I was looking for experience, examples of what she made that sort of thing. She had several aspects to her site: tailoring and alterations, regular sewing clubs, quilt and chat clubs, and a range of classes, ie all make a skirt, or bring your stuck sewing project, own patterns, overlocking days too, and a few 2day workshops too around quilting or finishing a complete project. She also sold some pdf guides she had put together and fabric packs to support them and packs for specific courses she ran.

I sew for fun, and to keep machines, and hadn’t had any formal training since high school (terrible) so I wasn’t fussed about formal qualifications I wanted a route into better sewing.

Hope that helps

Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on December 03, 2017, 21:09:06 PM
Thank you all so much for your comments and links and information about starting up sewmuchmore and Morgan. This has all been so much help.

I don't want a teaching qualification as such yet, although this may change in the future, I also have no desire to be bound by rules (I've always been a bit of a maverick) or bogged down by paperwork so it's really helpful to read that it's possible to forge ahead without those. I'm mainly aiming to teach people who want to sew for pleasure rather than to any qualification level.

I'd love to do some courses and self study to further skills that I could pass on.  I'm working my way through the skills set links too, thanks again for those.

Having looked at a few sewing tutors etc locally, many of them had HND's in pattern cutting or similar, had spent years working in costume or textiles and then decided to come out of it and teach.  I just felt rather inadequate!

In the end I invited a couple of freinds round for a trial beginner lesson yesterday morning.  It went very well!  Both of them went away happy and want to come back so that felt like a good start. I did have things to hand that I had made to use as visual aids, this wasn't particularly  planned, we were talking about some of the things that they could make and I happened to have a few bits handy as examples.

I have a freind who did the PETLS course Samantha, gosh it was long winded! She now works in a school.  I like your idea of money off for a testimonial too.

Lots to think about, thanks so much again for all your comments!
 

Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Roger on December 04, 2017, 20:57:35 PM
Best of luck with your venture! Don’t forget to advertise on here, and set yourself up a face book group to add interested people to and advertise opportunities to.



Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on December 05, 2017, 06:28:46 AM
Thank you so much  Roger!  I will.  I'm working on names this week, I keep thinking that I've found 'the one' and then more ideas come to mind. 
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Morgan on March 03, 2018, 14:19:47 PM
@warpbywarpweft
How are you getting along?
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: wrenkins on March 16, 2018, 12:16:30 PM
I'd go! I think it's a brilliant idea so good luck. I wouldn't want paper I'd want tips and experience.
Have a poll when you have the names down to two or three.  :D
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on March 17, 2018, 17:24:01 PM
@Morgan  Hello, I took a bit of a hit health wise at the start of the year, so things got off to a slow start!  I'm back to it again now and thankfully at full health as long as I look after myself.

I have decided to use my own name for cards, website etc.  Looking for the perfect name was serving as a huge distraction and lots of names that start with 'the sewing...' can look like 'these wing...' when pit into a url (I'm probably over thinking things). Plus the really simple, good names are taken.  I also have children at 3 different schools, so if I am chatting to any parents who are interested I will be easy to find.

Thank you for the encouragement!  :loveit:
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Roger on March 17, 2018, 17:39:09 PM
There’s a great many unfortunate urls out there ( pen island for one)....

And using your own name is a good way to build a reputation and be memorable.

All the best with it and I really hope it goes well!
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Marniesews on March 17, 2018, 18:19:36 PM
It's taken me a while to catch up with this thread to say the least! Nevertheless, I did see the first few posts originally and have pondered on it from time to time. I agree that formal qualifications are much less important for teaching beginners than simply being someone who is good at imparting knowledge and skills with a good grounding in them herself.

It's clear that the imposter syndrome is haunting you somewhat and I suspect it's more intense purely because your aim is be paid for it. A lack of confidence is likely to show and it seems that's the area in need of boosting. It sounds as though your experience with friends has been positive but what about considering some charitable opportunities outside of the formalised learning path to acquire more specific experience of teaching sewing before actively plying your trade? That might answer your doubts more fully than teaching friends will do and give you greater confidence whilst increasing your understanding of what you need to address.

You might consider approaching a women's refuge on a voluntary basis to demonstrate how to alter buys from charity shops and also make baby/children's clothes from plus sized clothing.  You'd need to check that their Public Liability Insurance would cover the activity and ideally you'd want the refuge to own a sewing machine so it could be used when you're not there. Of course they're usually well versed on how to source donations but it's not unusual to see basic zigzag machines for around £25 or so in charity shops and a bit more on Gumtree, Preloved etc., hopefully within their budget.

Just a thought. It might not be what you originally envisaged but you could both benefit from the learning/teaching experience.
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: DementedFairy on March 17, 2018, 18:50:13 PM


Just a thought. It might not be what you originally envisaged but you could both benefit from the learning/teaching experience.


Brilliant idea
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: Morgan on March 18, 2018, 12:57:40 PM
@Morgan  Hello, I took a bit of a hit health wise at the start of the year, so things got off to a slow start!  I'm back to it again now and thankfully at full health as long as I look after myself.

Great to hear that you're still going to be sharing the sewy love
Title: Re: Good enough to teach sewing / dealing with imposter syndrome
Post by: warpbywarpweft on March 25, 2018, 11:35:03 AM
Thank you for the ideas, yes, that could work really well.  In our area the woman's refuges are hard to contact (understandably), but I have a contact who may be able to help.

I am also doing some (non sewing related) work on my confidence, the book 'Feel the fear and do it anyway' by Susan Jeffers is meant to be an oldie, but a goodie so I am reading that among other things.