The “Get To Know Your Sewing Machine” Class

I meant for there to a be a couple of posts between this one and my last, as it is becoming a kind of awkward groupie-like with two “I love Abby Glassenberg!” posts in a row. My apologies! I’ll be able to get pictures of my last three #selfishsewing/#selfcaresewing projects someday when life and children cooperate. In the meantime, let’s talk about this wonderful e-book Abby wrote called “Get to Know Your Sewing Machine – A Teacher’s Guide“. (As a disclaimer, I was sent a no-pressure review copy of this e-book.)

I have been wondering what direction I want to grow my sewing small business and I realized that what I love about writing sewing patterns is 1) teaching new skills to others and 2) instilling confidence in those who are intimidated. However, sewing patterns aren’t necessarily the best way of doing. If that really is what I love about this blog and business, teaching sewing lessons is a direction worth pursuing.

I have sat down with a number of friends over the years to teach them how to use their new sewing machines, but the thought of standing in front of a group of beginners was daunting! Where do I start? How much information is too much? What project could we do? What if their sewing machines are broken and I can’t help them?

It wasn’t until I read Abby’s e-book that I had all those questions answered in a straightforward organized manner. She details what she teaches in her class and gives helpful tips, outlines, supply lists, a project idea and resources. I was out of excuses for not trying teaching out. All it took was me asking among my local friends for volunteers to have two sewing classes scheduled.

This past weekend was the second class. I held it in my own home at my kitchen table.

My students had so much fun and so did I! I can’t wait to try this class out again. The next time I hope to open it up to the public and establishing a class fee for my time and materials. I’ve also been brainstorming other beginning sewing classes (sewing envelope pillow covers, simple skirts, a zippy pouch!) that these new fledgling sewists would be interested in trying. I still have details to work out (where to hold such classes, or how much to charge), but I now have the confidence to pursue this!

Thanks so much, Abby, for this wonderful resource! I am excited to see where this will take me.

Have you taught a sewing class before? What did you teach?
Which kind of sewing classes did you wish you could have taken as a beginner sewist?