The Sewing Room

Emmarillo

Mooloo, can I ask how much you charge for lessons? I've been searching locally as I got a sewing machine for Christmas but haven't even used it yet as I don't know where to start. I was hoping there would be night classes available but there are none in my area. I've found this lady locally http://www.missmaker.co.uk/#/beginners-machine-sewing/4547685116 but although it sounds great, its beyond my budget and ideally I'd only like an hour or so lesson at a time because my concentration isn't great.

I was thinking of advertising for someone to teach me the basics but have no idea what's fair to pay.

kingfisherblue

Emmarillo, have you thought about contacting any local secondary schools? I'm in St. Helens, and last year my son's school started to give lessons for two hours a week. They're starting up again soon - the teacher spoke to my son today about it. The lessons are free.

Also, what about community centres? Again near me, there is a CC that has sewing classes (using machines). At ly local CC, a small group of us meet on Thursdays for a natter. We do take along sewing, knitting, etc, but there is definitely more chatting than stitching done :rotfl:

ChocolateIsLife

Hi, I hope you don't mind me popping in to ask for some advice? I have a bit of birthday money and want to get myself a rotary cutter / mat / quilting ruler. I've been searching the web but find myself a little overwhelmed with what to choose, what size etc. Any advice?

Emmarillo

Thanks for your fantastic ideas kingfisherblue. Unfortunately there are no classes at my daughters school but I'm going to ring the other secondary school in town tomorrow and see if there's anything there. I've also heard about a craft group at Basingstoke library (about 10 miles away but worth checking out). I'd love to meet other crafty people - I do lots of hand sewing, it's just machinery that baffles me!

rufusdog52

ChocolateIsLife wrote: »

Hi, I hope you don't mind me popping in to ask for some advice? I have a bit of birthday money and want to get myself a rotary cutter / mat / quilting ruler. I've been searching the web but find myself a little overwhelmed with what to choose, what size etc. Any advice?

I use an Olfa rotary cutter and the size is 45mm. It is easy to use. The smaller ones are better for cutting out intricate patterns but if you are just wanting to use it to cut straight lines with a rule then go for the 45mm.

You will also need a really good cutting mat to go with it. It is worth investing in a good one as the cheap ones do not last and you end up with cut lines full of bits of fabric. I have been using my Olfa cutting mat for about 3 or 4 years now and it looks like new still. Its also good to buy a mat the largest size you can fit on your table as the bigger the mat the less you have to fold up the fabric to cut it and it makes things easier. Another thing to look out for is whether it is marked in inches or centimetres or both. My mat is just inches as I am of the feet and inches era but my rule is in centimetres.

This is another thing you will need, a good rule. The one I use is about 6 inches wide by 24 inches long and is really easy to use to line up a good straight line. It is also nice and thick so you dont end up shaving bits of plastic off the edge of the rule.

Savvy_sewing

At the moment as I am teaching one of the mothers from the school, I am only charging her £10 for the mornings. (Well I didnt charge her for this week, as we were only able to fit in an hour, and my machine I choose to use had decided to play up.). But that is about the adverage I was advised to charge. So I suppose it works out at around £4.00 an hour which is not very much. I am also supplying all the bits and bobs, and have leant sewing books etc as well.
I want to sort out teaching with the school but there are lots of hoops to go through first.
I am just going to hone my skills first and see if I am up to teaching. (My confidence wise, and health wise). Its easy enough to sew, its not so easy to tell someone what to do, or how or why sometimes.
I wanted to go on the WI course but they are prohibitively expensive. Although they are residential courses most of the time. But tipping £400 is a bit rich really.
Not very MSE.

Local councils often do dressmaking courses. Around here, the council charge for lessons, depending on your income, you can get reductions though.

On the rotary cutters, I agree with Rufusdog. Although I have now also bought a smaller one that sits in a groove on the ruler, but I cant remember what the make was off the top of my head. Will check when I get a minute. Got DGD in the bath which is just next to my chair practically, so dont want to be out of range at the moment.

sarahfitz

Hope you don't mind me butting in, but I'm wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction of a sewing machine suitable for beginner.
I don't have a massive budget, but any recommendation will be appreciated

Tia x

Emmarillo

Thanks Mooloo. I was thinking i'd be happy to pay ten pounds per hour. I have my own machine and plenty of fabric so it would just be a case of someone showing me (probably about 100 times) how to thread, and get started as I don't want to run before I can walk. I've found some good tutorials on youtube so maybe I can try to follow those if I can't find someone, but I will ask around first, as someone might know someone who can help.

The WI course sounds extortionately high! I'd love to join the WI and there's one where I live, but it's run by the loud, rich cliquey mums from school who terrify me. I might look further afield where there might be a mixture of ages/people.

Savvy_sewing

Emmarillo wrote: »

Thanks Mooloo. I was thinking i'd be happy to pay ten pounds per hour. I have my own machine and plenty of fabric so it would just be a case of someone showing me (probably about 100 times) how to thread, and get started as I don't want to run before I can walk. I've found some good tutorials on youtube so maybe I can try to follow those if I can't find someone, but I will ask around first, as someone might know someone who can help.

The WI course sounds extortionately high! I'd love to join the WI and there's one where I live, but it's run by the loud, rich cliquey mums from school who terrify me. I might look further afield where there might be a mixture of ages/people.

Some WI do seem to be very clicky. To go on the courses you do not have to be a WI member though. I did join this year as a Postal member really. I havent attended our local set as my friend went and said that they were not "our type".
I do know that some people set up thier own branches if they dont get on with the ones that are already near them, but I dont have the energy to do it.
Still havent had time to sort out why my spare machine is not working. I will just have to bring down my main machine for the lesson tomorrow afternoon. Unless I get it working tomorrow.

My sewing has been just a few more pieces for the Black and White patchwork quilt that I am making. I want to do other stuff but havent wanted to do it enough Or I would have by now. If you know what I mean.
:rotfl:

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Mooloo wrote: »

I want to do other stuff but havent wanted to do it enough Or I would have by now. If you know what I mean.

I want to do way more but haven't the time... I have thoughts about projects in the car, at the gym and even at work but sadly only managed to unpick one seam of a coat I want to replace the lining in for the winter!