My Teaching Method Journey
A couple weeks ago, I met with a school that was interested in having me teach their kids sewing. Of course, part of our discussion was about scheduling, and the projects kids might be interested in. Another portion of our conversation centered around two different teaching methods.
In my experience as a seamstress, teaching others how to sew, I’ve used two different methods for two different scenarios. My first experience teaching, I was teaching kids and I had them pick something that they wanted to make. From there I taught them each skill as needed when we came to those points in the project. This was most closely related to how I learned how to sew.
My second experience teaching was much different. I was teaching (or more appropriately, training) new hires at a company that did industrial sewing. In this situation there was a pre-approved training manual that we had to follow. The first training lesson was just working on one skill, sewing straight lines. We gave them a piece of fabric with straight lines drawn on and had the new hire repeat the process of sewing along those lines until both parties were satisfied with the results.
I’m going to pause here and say that people can learn to sew using both ways. All my students and trainees were successful. However, I have to say that I prefer one over the other as an instructor. Now let me get into that.
When I was teaching using the very structured and standardized method, I noticed that most people struggled with motivation. They struggled to see what the point was. Obviously, they could see that the point was to meet standards and earn a paycheck, but I could see the point that they couldn’t see. I could see the end result. I could see the sense of accomplishment felt when they finished making something. My favorite part of those training sessions was when we finally got to make something 3D. While they are making the little box, all they see is a combination of skills that they practiced out of context. Once they finished and turned the box inside out to see it’s fantastic shape, the light turns on and they can see the whole world of possibilities that sewing opens up. They would get sooo excited that they actually made something, and the rest of training was much easier, and they had a much better attitude.
In contrast, when using the more unstructured and more personalized method, I found that people were more excited about the whole process from the very beginning. I could show them what the end result could look like to encourage them. Every step would bring a new skill and my students could see how each step and skill worked together to further them to their goal. If something didn’t go quite right, we had the option to either try again, or accept it as it is and figure out how to use our creativity to make the best of it. It was more flexible, fun, and creative. And of course, the excitement and sense of accomplishment at the end was just as rewarding.
You might be able to tell which one is my favorite method. But believe it or not, there was a time when I was fully on the standardization band wagon.
When I was first given the responsibility to train people in the industrial and manufacturing setting, I was not keen on the way the training had been set up. But I did my job. Eventually, I was given permission to re-vamp the training program. That’s when I hopped on the bandwagon. I did a lot of research on industrial sewing training and different places do it in different ways but because it is a workplace it must be standardized. So, I looked into trying to make it more fun and rewarding for the trainee right from day one. I never accomplished that.
Making changes in a company is SUPER CHALLENGING. It’s rare that you are in a position where whatever you say goes, including any major changes to training. On top of that, I needed the aid of other people in the company to re-draw patterns, which takes time that they didn’t have. I also needed the support of a lot of different people in the company. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the support of some key people. So I got frustrated, burned out, and eventually quit my job. Knowing deep down that I wanted to go back to giving people the gift of sewing but doing it in my own way.
Now you may assume that’s the end of the story but it’s not.
After 3+ years of being embedded in the standardization method, it took some time to get back to my roots.
When I first started my business, I knew I wanted to teach sewing. But I was so stuck on the idea of writing a sort of curriculum for myself that I kept stalling myself out. I didn’t market myself because I felt like I didn’t have enough standardization set up yet. I didn’t have the structure all figured out. So rather than continuing to run my head against this roadblock, I switched to focusing on sewing things for others.
And then I found my old dolls that I had hand sewn. They brought back all the memories and feelings I had when I made them and was learning to make them. They brought me back to my roots and my true excitement for sewing that I want others to know for themselves.
I’m not going to have people sew straight lines till they’re dizzy. I’m going to customize lessons for each individual based on their goals and desires. Much like the idea of homeschooling or unschooling, I’m going to be flexible and creative. My lessons will feel less like a class and more like a collaboration. Celebrating the art and tradition of sewing will be key.
If any of that resonates with you let me know! I’d love to hear from you! If you’re interested in sewing lessons with me or working with me in another capacity, my email is lindsey@shegatherswool.com
