Curtain Making Teacher Application
Overview
We’re looking for an experienced Curtain Maker / Soft Furnishings Specialist to teach our part-time Curtain Making Course at Sew & Grow Sewing School in Melville, Johannesburg.
You’ll be teaching students to make professional, retail-quality curtains from start to finish — measuring the window, calculating fabric, cutting and matching, building headings and pleats, and finishing to a standard they’d be proud to hang in a client’s home.
Strong, hands-on professional curtain making experience is mandatory and non-negotiable. Candidates who have only occasionally made curtains for themselves will not be considered.
Candidates who can also teach Roman blinds and other soft furnishings will be given preference.
Requirements & Skills
Essential — you must be able to do and teach all of the following:
- Construction: lined and unlined curtains, side and bottom hems, weights, mitred corners and neat professional finishing
- Headings and pleats: pencil pleat, pinch/triple pleat, eyelet, tab top and rod pocket — and how to choose the right one for the window and the fabric
- Measuring and fabric calculations: measuring a window accurately and working out exactly how much fabric is needed
- Cutting and pattern matching: pattern repeats and matching across widths
- Fabric knowledge: how different fabrics hang, linings, interlinings and blackout
- Hardware: tracks, rods, brackets, hooks and rings, and how they affect the making
- Teaching the fundamentals: taking students from measuring a window through to a finished, hanging curtain
- Patience and student support: a genuine passion for teaching is a must. Students learn at different paces, and this role rewards patience and encouragement.
- Curriculum input: working with us to shape the course content and structure
An advantage:
- Roman blinds and other soft furnishings — tie-backs, scatter cushions, pelmets and valances
- Previous teaching or mentoring experience
Professional curtain-making experience is essential. You must be able to show photographs of curtains or soft furnishings you have made.
What This Job Offers
- A set fee for your teaching day
- Paid curriculum development work, over and above your teaching fee
- Commission on sales
- Rare and valuable skill development — hands-on experience in teaching, curriculum delivery and student management that is difficult to acquire elsewhere
Compensation
for the full session, 9:00am – 4:00pm · negotiable based on your experience
- Curriculum development is paid separately from your teaching fee
- Commission on sales
This is a part-time, course-based role. Full particulars will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
Building the Course With Us
We don’t have a fixed curtain making curriculum yet — you’ll be helping us build it. That means real input into what gets taught and how, rather than delivering someone else’s lesson plan.
This curriculum work is paid separately from your teaching fee. The details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
Equipment & Materials
Everything is provided. Machines, cutting space, tools and materials are all supplied by the school — you don’t need to bring your own equipment.
Location & Hours
Our studio is based in Melville, Johannesburg. Candidates must live close by — within a 10km radius of our Melville studio — and be able to commute easily by any form of transport on the days they’re needed.
The Saturday session includes a break for lunch. You must be available for the full Saturday.
Trial & Probation
There will be a paid trial period (likely up to one week), followed by a probation period. Particulars will be discussed in the interview.
If you’re skilled at curtain making and enjoy teaching, we’d love to hear from you.
Application Form
If you have the curtain making skill and teaching ability required for this role, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be submitted through the official form. Once received, your application is reviewed as part of our shortlisting process — if shortlisted, we’ll contact you with the next steps.