Things have definitely changed in the Bagladybird world since lockdown began, but don’t worry we’re gently easing out of lockdown and I’m starting to see students face to face, starting with one to one lessons in August and group lessons in September.
The studio has seen a total re-vamp to bring it in line with government guidelines for safe working practices in the post-Covid landscape.
Space has been maximised and some of the old furniture has been removed. Clutter has been minimised, packed away and removed. Workstations are spread out to give maximum distance between each table. Each student will cut out and sew on their own table to minimise moving about within a lesson.
We’re using the back door for entrance and exit. At your first lesson back, just ring on the front doorbell, and I will come and show you the way. After your first lesson and you know where you are going, just make your way around to the back door and come in. The back door will remain open during your lesson to ensure good airflow through the studio.
Furniture that students use is wipe clean and all surfaces will be sanitised before and after every lesson.
Hand sanitiser will be provided in the studio for all to use regularly during lessons and handwashing is encouraged. We will use the downstairs toilets which is accessed though the external side door of the house. Individual small towels will be provided for students to dry their hands and then place in a bin after use. These towels will be washed on a 60° cycle to kill off any germs.
Face coverings will be required to be worn during lessons (unless medically exempt). Students are to supply their own masks or I can supply a fresh, clean mask to wear during the lesson. I also understand that some students may rely on lip reading, if this applies to you, please let me know in advance of your lesson and I will make/source a window mask to wear.
Prior to the pandemic, a key part of any sewing lesson is tea/coffee and biscuits, important fuel for the sewing mind and body. This will continue, however I will ask students supply their own refreshments and that they take any food/drink waste or litter home with them.
Students will be encouraged to bring their own sewing machines and tools wherever possible, however if this is not possible, I still have Janome 725S sewing machines for students to use. If you cannot bring your sewing machine in tools, please let me know in advance to ensure I have prepared and cleaned a sewing machine and set of tools for you to use.
Most importantly, if you are symptomatic or have been advised to self-isolate, please do not attend your lesson. Let me know at the earliest possible time and your lesson(s) will be rescheduled at a later date once it is deemed safe to do so.
Whilst the UK and rest of the world have been in lockdown and I’ve been unable to see students face to face, I’ve been busy learning new skills to help strengthen my business and reach more people in my mission to teach the world to sew!
I have learnt how to digitise my patterns. When I was at university studying Fashion Design back in the 90’s I was taught how to design and draft my patterns using a pencil and paper. Since starting this business it has always been the plan to create my own range of patterns to sell and I’m really grateful that lockdown has given me the time to learn how to pattern draft digitally and I am working on my designs and patterns and hope to launch to the world later this year or early 2021. There is still a lot of work to be done!!
During lockdown I have build and launched my brand new website: Bagladybird.com, it’s not perfect, but it’s out there. I’m learning as I go, although I did do a one day website course in December 2018. I plan to add a shop section to sell my patterns and other small haberdashery items too. There are other sections to be added too, but right now you can access the Membership Club and book lessons.
Talking of the Learn to Sew Membership Club, this is something else that I have launched during lockdown which will most definitely be continuing. The Membership Club is an online only portal for members to access exclusive member only content such as Sew Along’s and Video Tutorials as well as Live Q&A’s and other amazing content to help you upskill and make you a better dressmaker.
Watch this video to find out more.
https://youtu.be/ke8RcNACNks
To take things online with video lessons and tutorials has been another massive learning area for me over lockdown. Figuring out the best way to shoot videos so that you can see and hear what I’m doing and saying, getting the best angles, lighting etc and then editing the videos is all brand new to me. I’m learning as I go, investing in software and equipment as I progress, becoming more confident speaking on camera and imparting my pearls of wisdom to you all. I hope you will stick with me as the quality of the videos and the production values improve because the content I’m sharing with you is tried and tested with my face to face students and I know it’s top notch and jam packed full of value from my years of experience as a dressmaker.
As a taster for my Membership Club I have started nurturing my YouTube Channel with lots of free to access video tutorials and fantastic sewing stuff. There are more videos being added every week, so be sure to click subscribe and spend a bit of time watching and browsing to see what you can learn 100% for free!
Do you want to find out The Secret Starting Point to Sewing your own Great Fitting Clothes? Get the free video that reveals the secret here.
Alison xx
