The journey from SEN to teaching sewing – Kim’s story
Kim Benford took early retirement from her Special Education Needs (SEN) teaching job at a local college in the south of England, with the intention of spending more time with her hobbies – her favourite being sewing (of course!).
Little did she know how quickly the whole thing would take off! This is Kim’s story…
My name is Kim but everyone who know me from my sewing classes call me “Nanny Kim”.
“I came into running kid’s sewing classes by sheer chance! I decided was going to spend more time on my hobbies now that I had the time.
“I had a very old sewing machine and started on lots of difference sewing projects, with the plan being that I would do craft shows. In time, my husband built me a craft shed in the garden – just as I was starting to take over the house!
“At the time, I was working a few days a week with a local childcare group in their after-school club. Dream Catchers is owned by my daughter Leah and when I started working there, my grandchildren would call me “Nanny Kim”. In a while, all the kids started to call that – and it stuck! “
A bigger shed was needed!
“I used to take my sewing machine into the sessions, so that the kids could have a go. A couple of the children then asked me if I would do sewing classes with them, so I started doing them from my shed. It didn’t take very long for the word to get around – and for more requests to attend my sewing sessions. My husband built me a much bigger sewing shed so that I could run classes from the garden for children as well as adults.
Finding the right sewing machines
“The biggest challenge for me, was finding a sewing machine that was suitable for children as well as for adults – and that also never gave me the headache of trying to find the right tension.
“I saw an online ad for GUR Sewing Machines and subsequently bought my first Jaguar model – and I have to say it was love at first sight!
“I now have 14 Jaguar machines and I bought a selection of different models. I can’t praise this machine enough! My lovely adults and children think they are just amazing, so much so that they were added to many of the children’s and adult’s Christmas lists!
“I teach children as young as 5 to sew on them, due to the variable speed control and the ability to use it without a peddle. I also teach children with physical and learning difficulties on them as they are so easy to adapt to their needs.
“I really enjoy teaching the adults and have made some lovely friends from it but my biggest joy is working with the kids: they’re just amazing! I so enjoy teaching them the skills of sewing and this has enabled them to be creative and experiment with fabric and design. As you can see from the pictures, it’s just the most amazing thing to do!
“Due to lockdown the classes have stopped but the children’s passion hasn’t. I’ve been making up sewing packs for them to do at home, which has become really popular.”
Nanny Kim’s Sewing Bee Facebook page »
Jaguar sewing machines
Jaguar sewing machines is one of the largest manufacturers in the world with millions of units in circulation. It’s an internationally recognised, high quality Japanese producer that produces all of its machines in its own factories.
The unique DQS (Digital Quick-threading System) has now been introduced to the UK. All current models come with a three year parts and labour guarantee and the 100% satisfaction guarantee.