Help Needed With A Lesson Plan For Stitch-Work In Accessories

[franelli]

Hi,

I'm an upholsterer specialising in leather and teach at university. I dabble in leatherwork at my home workshop and have been asked to do a 6hr block teaching "leather stitchwork for accessories.

Would anyone be willing/able to help me with a lessonplan which is to include making as well as induction demo for students from the Anarchy Studio

These are Yr 2 & 3 students equally from Textiles and Jewellery (Group Size 30 but we can identify how many spaces for each event). Some students are complete newcomers but all confirm that they're eager for more experience and advise. Students now have a good range of existing design ideas and sketchbook processes which you could use to drive sessions/ direct their making. Students would ideally be able to learn and practice one or two processes by the end of the day, and know enough to be able to later return independently to the area to practice further.

If you are able to help (I really hope so!), I would be very greatful.

This will be for just a 6 hour block

[franelli]

wonders if I have posted at the wrong time

[billymac814]

You may want to specify what kind of stitching and what you'll be stitching. There's so many different types of stitching from heavy machine stitching to lightweight leather stitching to saddle stitching etc. you may get more responses if you narrow it down.

[franelli]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I guess I'm thinks a few different stitches both with machine and by hand...am really looking for ideas as to what item can be make in a 6 hours slot by the students . They need to learn as many stitches as possible......just after ideas....I've never taken a class like this before.

The item also need to get there attention to keep them keen.

[billymac814]

I can't help you much as I've never had to give a lesson and never took any lessons to even know what's covered.

I will say that if I was teaching handsewing I would use the Al Stohlman book "The Art of Handsewing" as a baseline. One could easily adapt the examples given in the book into lessons.

[franelli]

Thanks Billy, I may end up taking your advise if I get no more advise from others out there.

Thanks again.

Franco

[immiketoo]

Franco, what you are asking is a monumental task in my opinion. I have made lesson plans for hour long blocks and it takes multiple hours of work to complete the material needed for a small class. Making six hours worth of material is something you will have to tackle on your own I'm afraid. If you are a leatherworker by trade, you should have the ability to prepare something based on YOUR experience since you will be teaching the class. My suggestion is to break up the topics you want to cover into blocks of instruction, plan the time you will need for lecture, demonstration and student practice.

[franelli]

Hi, Thanks.....my trade is in leather upholstery buy have been asked to give a 6 hour lesson on leatherwork, stitching both hand and machine.

The students are from Textiles and Jewellery so I want to go through stitching of chrome and vegetable tanned.

Just wanting ideas to keep the interest of the students.....perhaps after the lecture, getting them to make something to incorporate hand and machine stitching so they have something to show at the end of the 6 hour.

[billymac814]

What all will you or they have access to as far as tools and machinery goes. Its just such a broad question that it could vary greatly.

You'd almost need some time of pre planned project for them to complete and enough tools to supply the class unless you plan to just show them.

I recently had a guy in my shop that I was trying to teach the basics of holster making in a single day. I had holsters completed at various stages so that he was able to at least see each step. We didn't get through near as much as I planned either as I didn't account for us BSing. Whatever you plan make sure you either follow a strict time frame or allow for some extra time to talk about things that may come up.

It may not be a bad idea to see if you could round up a volunteer to help you, ecspecially if you don't have much experience in every aspect of what you're trying to teach. A lot of people are happy to help when they can.

My suggestion would be to make a decision on exactly what you want to teach them and then ask others here how to teach them how to do that specific thing. I have a feeling that what you're asking is just too broad or vague for anyone to really be able to give good advice.

[franelli]

Hi Billy,

Most, if not all will be female students in their 20's. I'm guessing a holster won't be well received. I thought maybe a pouch for their iphone, ipad or ipod.

Maybe some hand stitched...some machine stitched and some laced.

I'm throwing this out there for ideas

Industrial sewing machines are available, only flat beds. I would go in with my own hand tools, which I have a few doubles of.

Thanks again for your interest.

Franco

[billymac814]

I'm having a hard time seeing the logistics of it. Even if you have doubles or triples of tools if there's 30 people sharing them it'll take 6 hours to get through a case. I'd say you'd at least need 15 awls and sets of needles, and at least 7 or 8 machines so half the class can be machine stitching while the rest are hand stitching. You'd obviously need a helper as well. This may be easier to come by now that you mention it'll be a class full of girls:-).

I'd stick with very simple projects. The cell case would be good if you had pre cut kits that they just had to stitch together. Maybe those hair Berets(sp?) that get laced together. Small change purses are simple enough too.

I'm thinking you'll barely be able to skim the surface what you're trying to teach them. Would it be possible to just forget about the lacing and just lightly touch on hand stitching? Chances are that these students will likely go on to something that involves a sewing machine more often than lacing or hand stitching and those can both be self taught fairly easily with the books available and lacing varies greatly depending on style. If you teach someone a simple whipstitch it doesnt do them any good if they want to do a round braid or triple loop. its not quite as easy to read a book about machine stitching although this too varies greatly but at least they have the basics.

[franelli]

I have asked for the student number to be no more than 15. The machines are there as we use these in upholstery. I have enough needles and about 6 awls.

Hair barrettes are a good idea too, thanks. I should maybe look for some template for iphones. Perhaps cut one out as a demo and have 15 already cut ready to stitch or lace together.

Thanks for your ideas, Billy

[electrathon]

My thought is to make luggage tags. Teaches cutting, Layout. Glue up. dying and finishing. Edge burninhing and either sewing or lacing. Possibly both.