TanyaL

Build some work security into this. Work out with your boss ahead of time a whole schedule of classes and possible time frame. Follow Quilting 101 with Quilting 102, etc. Don't set yourself up with a class of devotees clammering for more classes and find he has hired another teacher. I would recommend that you give him a schedule of a total of no less than 6 classes - one about every month. Your value as an employee ought to really rise in his estimation as he sells more stock to your students and word of mouth brings in more students.

lisalovesquilting

Someone may have said this already but I think you should probably keep the class small so you can give each person individual attention when needed.

judys

On a recent trip to Ohio to visit my daughter and her family I got a request from her and a friend to "teach them to sew". Thankfully I got the request before I left home so I was able to bring my sewing machine and I had given my daughter one earlier. Her friend had a machine so we were all set. Before leaving home I gathered up some simple projects that I thought they would enjoy and would give them instant (almost) gratification. I figured that if I could get them hooked on at least one thing they would continue to sew after my short week there. It worked! They each made a pair of pillowcases from a pattern I got online. It's the one made with no raw edge seams. They also each made a 10 minute table runner and a small quilted bag and a gift card holder. They are hooked on sewing and maybe soon quilting. Got a call from them just a week or so ago and they were together doing more sewing.
I guess my suggestion is to start with something simple that can be completed in the length of time you have for classes so that they don't start out with a UFO.

bearisgray

Will you be asking the students to buy a book?

That could be helpful to you and the students and cut down a lot on your prep time if one more or less follows some of the chapters in the book.

Of the several I have, I think I still like "quilts! quilts! quilts!" the best.

TanyaL

I think the total cost of the class for a beginner should be under $100. Theyy shouldn't be REQUIRED to spend anything other than the cost of the class if they didn't want to. Not required to use what the store sells. And if they want to hand stitch that should be ok, also. In this economy if a beginner wanted or needed to start quilting with needle and thread and scissors plus fabric and cost of the class it should be all right. After all, there's no college credit being given so it shouldn't cost what a college class does.

AnnieH

I started taking classes a year ago and the advice here will make your classes successful. I'm sure they'll be great. Good luck.
Annie

jaciqltznok

that is odd...according the RULES of Hobby Lobby, that would be a conflict of interest! You as a HL employee are not allowed to be a "contracted" teacher!

Also if you have never taken or taught a beginner class...you might want to rethink it. Months of planning and prep goes into it and you will NEVER make any money at it! If your HL is like most, the class room can barely hold 4-6 people! Not nearly enough to make it profitable.

I taught our HL once..and won't do it again. The people want the classes for FREE...so many signed up, and yet only 3 came. It was a nightmare!
Now I did it for Hancock's and wow..night and day! I think it has a lot to do with the the customers perception of the place the class is held. Hobby Lobby, sort of carefree, maybe not into sewing so much as artsy stuff, and at Hancock's it is ALL about sewing, fabric, notions, machines, etc.

bearisgray

The first "official" quilting class I took was "how to hand-piece" - we used a needle and thread to piece all the blocks.

I'm glad I learned how to do that. It reminded me that it is not necessary to have a lot of tools to make something nice.

I agree that it would be a good idea to try to keep the cost down for supplies and equipment.

Holice

The National Quilting Association has a booklet "Teaching Basic Quiltmaking" You might find it useful.

leggz48

I started out 20 years ago with hand piecing and hand quilting and have since added machine piecing and long arm quilting. I would love to teach....especially beginners..... Your thread has given me encouragement and some motivation to market myself. And the comments really help in preparing a syllabus. Thanks to everyone!