Non-academic tutoring

amandada

I've been pondering for a while and have received some positive feedback on the "Sewing Room" thread regarding offering a 1 to 1 tuition service for sewing.

I know a lot of craft type things are enjoying a resurgence at the moment, and I understand that sewing/dressmaking is seeing a huge boom.

I have a degree equivalent qualification in home economics, have been sewing for nigh on 30 years, huge experience from curtains to bridal wear.

I'm thinking of offering 1 to 1 tuition in people's own homes on their own machines. (or possibly the use of my machine for a nominal charge-it does need to be kept serviced!)

As far as I can see, it would be pretty much zero outlay to get going, and pretty much only travelling expenses on an ongoing basis.
I'm thinking about maybe asking the local fabric shops if I could put up a notice to gauge interest.

I'd welcome any opinions or thoughts about my idea.

LittleLeah

hi there,

I like the idea. I for one could definitely do with learning more about sewing! I think you would probably need insurance just in case anyone has an accident using your machine or something.

What about running workshops in a local community centre? But I guess you would need more machines and that would be a large outlay. Unless people bring their own? I like the idea of covering a different topic every week and aiming towards creating something like a pair of curtains.

Sorry I don't have anymore advice but I do like the idea and think you should go for it.

Good luck!

craftyfox

think this is a great idea and the workshop thing would be good if people didn't have a lot of money to hand out on a course but were able to do the workshop using their own machine and material and cost less might be a good moneysaving ... you for making a few extra pence for you expert knowhow and them for getting the help at a fraction of the cost of a collage course :T

Oldernotwiser

Have you thought about teaching in Adult Education?

Casati

I dont know where you live, but if you have a University with an arts department see if there would be any interest from the fashion students...the workload for them is terrifying in the final year (been there done that!) & everyone is desperate for capable seamstresses to help with final collections...

V.Lucky

Great idea, but you will need business insurance and also need to register as self employed and do an annual tax return.

Both of these are the downside of being self employed.

amandada

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Have you thought about teaching in Adult Education?

I know I could probably get a job in this area fairly easily, but a group situation is my worst nightmare! I just can't do it, but I know I'm fine with one to one

chocsessential

I'd love someone to come and teach me more about sewing. I know the basics but would love some help with neatening seams and reading patterns. Unfortunately I am on a tight budget and could not afford more than £10 per hour although I would supply my own fabric, needles, thread and sewing machine. Not wishing to be negative but I think you also need to think about your own safety if you are using someone else's sewing machine; what if there's a nick in the cable and you get an electric shock? Would your insurance cover you for injuries in other people's homes?

otterspasm

I'd love to find someone who could teach me a few things with my sewing machine. I can never get the tension right :-)
I don't suppose you are in west yorkshire are you?

Gazing_On_Sunsets

Try it, but keep good accounts so if it gets off the ground you can do your tax returns, as another poster said.

I do non academic tutoring as well, almost by accident. I'm a teacher and I teach part time, but always resisted doing kids tutoring. But then I was asked by someone to teach her English, and things spread. Now I teach five Polish adults English skills. I consider it non academic in that they are not working towards exams; they want to improve everyday speaking and listening, and would rather pay me for one to one tuition than the cheaper option of group learning! So if you feel you're not a "group" teacher then that's great, there are learners who are not "group" learners too.

Advice: start out charging the rate you would like to earn. Don't start smaller as a tester, because then, how can you increase your rates as you get established? If you spread by word of mouth you need to charge consistently.

Get a map and look at travelling distances and times. Factor in your petrol. Decide if you will add a surcharge if you travel over 5 miles, for example.

Decide if you'll charge for missed lessons. With something considered a "hobby" interest, people may take you for granted a bit more.

I have heard of people teaching knitting in other people's homes, though that has been more of a "craft party" set up.