Becoming a Handicrafts Teacher // Handicrafts as a Career: What Does It Take?

Dear users, dear authors,
who among you is a needlework teacher?
What training do you need for this?
What is the job description like?
What have been your experiences?

Would anyone else like to add anything?

I think, Josefa, that no one is posting here because the profession of needlework teacher doesn’t really exist as a separate career anymore these days. It certainly used to exist in some regions back when it was considered proper for the ladies of the house to be able to do fine needlework.

In the ’70s, I took a one-year needlework class in school. Our old German teacher just taught it on the side because she happened to know how. I can’t imagine that there was a “needlework” specialization in teacher training back then. However, all we ever did back then was embroider. Meanwhile, the boys had free time and were playing in the schoolyard right outside our open window—what an outdated attitude!

So today, I can only imagine that needlework techniques are taught as part of other vocational training programs or creative degree programs.

OK.
But aren’t there still craft teachers, and aren’t there also various craft classes at adult education centers (VHS), etc.?

@Ina,
There may not be a specific position called “handicrafts teacher,” but in Baden-Württemberg, both woodworking and textile crafts are taught—at least in secondary schools. Specifically, girls and boys are taught together, both in woodworking in the shop and in textile crafts. And both subjects are taught by teachers who are specially trained for them.

@Josefa,
as far as I know, every teacher (at least in Baden-Württemberg) must be able to teach two subjects, but I don’t know what the degree program for woodworking is called or which subjects you can choose as a second subject in this case.

What I can say with 100% certainty, though, is that what you need for this profession are very strong nerves :-).

@Inna,
so that’s how it is. :-)

@Inna
Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. Learned something new again.

“Craft class” was a separate subject for us in elementary school. It was for both boys and girls, and it was about crafts and making things. We made wind chimes and pencil holders. We also had to saw, drill, and file.

The subject “needlework” was one hour a week - compulsory for girls and optional for boys. The one boy who took part can now sew on buttons by himself.

Back in Vienna, when I was in school, there was still a subject called “Handarbeiten” for girls and “Werkunterricht” for boys. The profession of “Handarbeitslehrerin” also existed back then; later, these classes were combined for all children—even my son had to learn to knit, crochet, and sew in middle school. I don’t know what it’s like now, but I’ve heard that these two subjects have been discontinued. I regret that, because we really did learn something back then (unless the teachers were so-called “dragons”). Even my son can now at least sew on a button or close simple seams.

Yes, it’s a real shame that this subject isn’t taught as much anymore, because you really did learn skills for life back then. Whenever my adult children need a button sewn on or a seam has come undone, I’m always the one who has to step in. They just can’t do it anymore. And don’t even get me started on sewing in a zipper or more complicated tasks. What on earth will they do when I’m no longer around?

I think a solution will be found, Ruth.

Yeah... probably just throw it away and buy a new one ;-))

I actually studied art with a focus on textile arts—as my major with a minor in mathematics. This was in the early 1990s in Baden-Württemberg. In addition to practical work and teaching methods, the program focused primarily on materials science (very chemistry-heavy). In the ’90s, Textile Arts was still taught as a subject in elementary schools (not just in Hauptschulen). My children (now teenagers), however, no longer had Textile Arts classes.
At least in Baden-Württemberg, there’s still a specialized teacher training program for physical education, Textile Arts, and technology. This isn’t a university degree program, so it’s possible even without an Abitur.

Hi everyone,
we live in Baden-Württemberg, and my son is in 10th grade at a Realschule.

For his elective (French, Technology, Mum), he chose Mum. “Mum” stands for “People and Environment” — and every grade level includes some form of needlework. Sometimes crocheting, sometimes sewing... but there’s no longer a standalone “needlework” course at the Realschule...

Hello,
I’m a trained teacher of textile design for lower secondary level 1.
I first studied to become a primary school teacher and then switched to lower secondary level 1.
However, that was back in the 1980s. Even back then, the subject wasn’t very popular in schools anymore. With that degree, you really only had job opportunities at Hauptschulen. Often, textile design was just taught on the side by art teachers during art class. The program was great because it had a lot of hands-on work, and I’ve always been a craft enthusiast. Today I don’t work as a teacher, but in an office. In my free time, though, I’m constantly doing crafts and I also work part-time at a fabric store. Oh, and… the textile design department at the University of Münster was eventually shut down… Sad.
Best
regards, Bettina

Hello, everyone. I’m a high school teacher in Austria specializing in Visual Arts (Art) and Textile Design and Crafts. After graduating from high school (Matura) in 1997, I studied these subjects at the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz on the Danube from 1997 to 2002. Following a supervised, practical introductory year, I’ve been teaching both subjects ever since.
In our high schools, the textile course is taught in the lower grades for either 2 years (gymnasium track) or 4 years (realgym track), with 2 hours per week in each case. The focus of the instruction is on familiarizing students with textile materials and the techniques used to produce and process them. The lessons are student-centered, meaning that students learn how to work with these materials in an age-appropriate and playful manner through small projects. Students learn how to use a sewing machine, do basic pattern drafting, and create yarn and textile fabrics through spinning, crocheting, knitting, felting, and knotting. The course covers not only traditional textile materials but also the production and processing of paper and synthetic materials. Furthermore, students learn about and reflect on the handling and use of textile materials in everyday life (in public and in private settings) as well as textiles in artistic creation. From a holistic perspective, students develop a “feel” for textiles and learn to work with the materials in a responsible and sustainable manner. The aim is to foster the students’ creativity and independent initiative.
Best regards, Karin

Has the boom in needlework brought about any changes in this area, or has it had no impact on schools?