Mommy and Me Sewing Class

Just like baking together with your child can be fun and rewarding, so can learning to sew!

My very first mommy and me sewing class was actually a request from a mom who had never sewn before. She wanted to learn how to sew with her daughter. I thought it was such a great idea. On the personal side of running this sewing workshop, I became friends with almost every single one of the moms, we had a blast at the workshops making the different projects, and after the 6-week mommy and me classes were finished, in every case but one, the student joined sewing classes and/or summer camps. On the business side of running these classes, I had a hard lesson learned. I was so excited about running these new classes that I didn’t even think about the price. My 6-week fee was ridiculously low. I had so many people calling me that I had to ask our “sister school” just seven miles away if she could take over some of mommy and me requests. She told me absolutely not at the rate I was charging. After I talked to her I went over to the computer, did some calculating, and realized how right she was. I was actually loosing money once I calculated everything. I fixed my fees so that they would reflect close to my  other sewing classes, which were almost three times the amount I was charging. That is how low my fees were. I don’t really consider it a loss though, taking in all of those mommy and me classes for the first six months before I realized what I was charging, because many friendships were made, most of the girls joined camps and classes, and I am still in contact and friends with most of those moms who still refer me. But I did learn to take the time to calculate in everything before I set a fee no matter how excited I am about a new class or project.
For our mommy and me classes, we run them for six weeks and ask for the fee to be made into two payments, one at the first class, and the second payment is due the fourth class.

We go over all the basics the first class just like we would if we were running a camp or a class. Then we have both the mom and the child make their first project, a draw-string bag. They each make their own. Their next project is a 9-patch pillow where the mom designs and sews one side, and the child designs and sews the other. Then together they sew it, stuff it, and learn how to hand sew it closed. It is such a memorable project to make for the both of them! The last project for the six-week course we let the mom and child decide what they want to do. Some suggestions are matching circle-skirts, pajama shorts, garden or kitchen aprons, or lined messenger bags. If you can add this sewing class to your list to offer your community, I think you will enjoy it greatly like I have, and still do! Here are some photos of what some of our mommy & me students have made.