About
Things I have been doing professionally for decades include: writing, photography, web design, and in sewing I am developing products and teaching children and adults (hand and machine, up to embroidery). I have a bachelor degree earned Summa Cum Laud (3.87 GPA) from Cleveland State University, with multiple honors awarded. I belong to the Society of Professional Journalists and Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio.
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Krista M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
It depends on if they sew by hand or machine for us to together plan that first lesson.
I planned and provided everything for the Girl Scout Brownies Troop, as that organization requires the kids cannot be asked to purchase anything for it.
I have provided basic materials with advanced notification to prepare for lessons. I prefer for students have choices in fabrics especially.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I started sewing very young, and continued by hand most of my life mainly self-taught or by researching the craft. Later on, I met up with local quilters though GroupOn, but eventually the lady who arranged those meetings gave up on quilting. Some of us still wanted to meet up, so I made a new group and a private Facebook group to track our meetings. I took some classes, like on my machine at Pins and Needles, plus took classes at the Sewing Expo that comes to town at the IX center annually. Then, I took Angela Walters free-motion course on Facebook, and got a couple of her books. That is when I started designing my own quilts. I learned as much from my sewing friends as anything else I ever did.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
It is hard to estimate price not knowing what precisely the lesson will be. There's by hand or machine, online or in person, and so many different fabrics and threads. That's a ton of variables that makes me typically press the N/A for more info needed.
I estimate based on my last earned hourly rate, but that may or may not include materials, depending highly on the project.
How did you get started teaching?
I was asked to teach kids to sew by hand. They had to do their safety badge first, for there's sharps in sewing. I had them make custom thimbles first, but I ended up having to finish those for them.
I also created resources, and had them make sewing cases to hold all the notions I gave them to do sew up partly sewn cases; I put in the zippers to save time and because those would be difficult to go through with hand needles. I had embroidered one side with each of their names so they could tell them apart.
I made a Youtube video showing them how to put it together, which is the worst video I EVER made. It was a lot of stuff for the kids, those three hand stitches that could carry them through life.
What types of students have you worked with?
Aside from kids, I have had three adult sewing students through this. One was by hand, one by machine, and the latter one joined my Facebook quilting group.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My local group meets monthly on a Saturday to sew along to together on our own or donation projects. We've done two projects together, thanks largely to a close friend of mine who also teaches at Joann Fabrics.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Think hard about the value sewing can bring into your life. Sewing socially is tons of fun!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Do you prefer to sew by hand or machine? (Everyone should know how to sew by hand.)
Do you want to meet virtually or in person? (Would you prefer to come to my house or have me visit your place?)
What are you immediately interested in learning about sewing? (I learn by teaching and by sewing too, so you see.)