What makes you want to attend a class?

[CocoapuffPuff]

Im talking about Sewing, crafting type workshops, classes, etc.

What is it that makes you decide to attend? Is it price?

I'm trying to establish a crafting and sewing group and classes, and it's getting no response at all, not even a lukewarm one.

2 hour session of Knit, Stitch and Natter, with hot drinks and biscuits. Cost is a fiver per person.

Dressmaking classes with all equipment etc provided and a qualified teacher on hand, big cutting tables, hot drinks and cake. 3 hours for £30 per person.

It's a village location with loads of parking at the building, and I've offered daytime and evening sessions.

Anything strike you as immediately off-putting? I'm really at a loss.

Should I offer specific skill classes? Master zips. Conquer the collar? Perfect hems?

What would you like offered as a class, and what would you be prepared to pay for it?

The groups I go to are cheaper than you are suggesting, some are free. Since the pandemic biscuits and cakes are much less common and many of us prefer it that way.
I'm willing to pay more for a workshop and £10 an hour is reasonable. I love learning new skills and I’m also willing to share my skills but I have no interest in making money which makes it difficult for people trying to make money.

I used to attend a knit and natter group that was held in a local pub. No charge, except that you were expected to buy a drink. TBH I wouldn’t pay a fee. Eventually stopped going because they were nearly all quite a bit younger and we didn’t have much in common.

I used to go to some but I’m very shy ( until I get to know people) and I found them all very cliquey, in as much that everyone came with a friend and so I didn’t have any one to talk too. I do get that a lot of that was me but even the host barely chatted to me, preferring the ones they knew. I’ve given up now which is a real shame. Not everyone is chatty and outgoing!

Yes, I hear you. I have found in groups I go to some people are just straight up rude. These are free local art classes and some of the participants seem to have very little idea of appropriate topics to stick to (i.e non political and religious) but also are quite blunt and "me first". One woman insists we all have the heating up blasting because she feels the cold and then tries to moral blackmail us if we dare to want to window open (other ladies have hot flushes!).

That said, my experience on paid courses is considerably better. I am very interested in your experience as I want to run courses and want people to feel able to come alone. I wonder what might make people feel comfortable? Maybe a small group?

I do a weekly glass course - £170 for ten weeks. It runs in two slots (a late afternoon and an evening) and if you can't make one, she lets you switch slots. No more than 6 people.

She provides all the equipment and if you need consumables, she will sell those to you or you can buy your own.

I've been going for a year and have a lot of my own kit now, but I like to go for the expertise and support. We're all individual participants and people come and go between terms but it's friendly to new people, and we're all very welcoming.

She also does a weekly bake so that's a treat!

I did go to a sewing weekly workshop in the early days of learning to sew. You took your own machine and equipment. I can't remember the cost exact but it was nearer the £10 for 2 hrs about 12 years ago. What I found was that once I had started being able to sew, it was expensive to keep going when most of the time I was working independently. I stopped going because my financial situation changed - but also because I was also able to muddle through most things.

I enjoy crochet but I don't know if I could be bothered going out to do it and pay for the privilege. The coffee and biscuits would have to be really good to tempt me.

I do enjoy learning new skills though so pay for workshops where I can try something new with all equipment provided.

I'd only go for weekend classes, suitable for a beginner and not having to pay £200 upfront.