| How to Do Tufting Posted: 18 Aug 2020 05:00 PM PDT Tufting is when you make indentations in your fabric using a tufting needle, screws, or nails before covering them with buttons. Adding tufts to your fabric piece is a great way to add style and a classic finishing touch easily. All you'll need to add the tufts are a few materials such as buttons, tufting twine, or washers. With just a little bit of time, you'll have beautiful tufts in your fabric piece. [Edit]Designing Your Project - Choose your tufting pattern for your project. The 2 main tufting patterns are diamond and biscuit. A diamond pattern is when the tufts are in the shape of a diamond, while a biscuit pattern has tufts in a square form. Decide which pattern would look best on your specific project, whether it's a bench, headboard, or pillow.[1]
- For example, you might design a headboard to be in a diamond pattern or a bench that has a biscuit pattern on it.
- Add padding to your project so the tufts will work correctly. Choose something like foam to create thickness and add a layer of batting over your project under the fabric for extra protection. Position the padding on top of your project and cut it if necessary so that it's the exact same size. Lay batting over the padding with enough left over to wrap around the edges of the project.[2]
- Give your project a thick layer of padding so that the tufts can actually be created. For example, of foam will create deeper tufts than will.
- Batting, which is soft insulation for your project, is useful if you're covering a hard surface like plywood so the wood doesn't go through the fabric.
- Decide the spacing and row count of the tufts. Choose whether you'd like the tufts spread out or close together, as well as how many rows your project will have. For example, you might decide on tufts in a biscuit pattern that are apart.[3]
- Consider planning this out on paper so you can easily erase pencil marks if you make a mistake or rearrange the tufts.
- Mark where you'd like the buttons on your fabric using chalk. Use a measuring tape to space out the tufts evenly on your project and mark the spots with a piece of white chalk or a white pencil. If you're putting buttons on both sides of your fabric piece, mark both sides with the chalk.[4]
- If you're putting buttons on both sides of your fabric, it's important that they're spaced out the same way on both sides for perfect tufts.
- Purchase enough buttons and other supplies to cover your project. Once you've figured out how many tufts you'll have, buy enough supplies to create each tuft from a local hardware store. For instance, if you've measured out 10 tufts, you might buy 10 buttons, 10 washers, and 10 nails.
- It's a good idea to buy extra supplies just in case you mess up or need an extra one.
- Opt for buttons of a different color to make your project stand out. While most tufting projects have buttons that are covered in the same fabric that was used to make the tufts for a cohesive look, you might choose to pick a different fabric or design. Pick out bejeweled buttons or buttons in a contrasting color to make them stand out against the tufts.
- For example, you might cover a headboard in bright pink fabric and then use buttons that look like diamonds for a sparkly look.
[Edit]Using a Needle and Buttons - Put tufting twine through each button that you're using. Cut a piece of tufting twine that's at least twice as long as the height of the fabric piece you're going to pull it through. Thread the piece of twine through the loop on the back of your button, and do the same thing for the rest of the buttons you're using.[5]
- Purchase a button kit to quickly and easily cover your buttons, if you'd like.
- Tufting twine is strong enough to be pulled through the fabric and can be found at a local craft or home improvement store.
- This is a perfect way to add tufts to things like pillows where you can tuft both sides.
- Push a button tufting needle all the way through your fabric. Use a button tufting needle that's long enough to go through your fabric item with room to spare. Place the tip of the needle on one of the marked spots and push the needle all the way through to the other side. If you marked the other side of your fabric, try to get the needle tip to come through the marked spot on this other side too.[6]
- For example, a tufting needle will likely work for most projects.
- Thread the ends of the twine through the tufting needle in the same direction. Take the piece of twine that has a button attached to it and bring the two ends together so they're both pointed in the same direction. Loop the two ends through the eye of the tufting needle and pull the twine through.[7]
- Pull the needle through the fabric so that the button is in place. Push the needle all the way through the fabric and pull it out from the other side. This will bring the twine through the fabric so the two loose ends are on the other side while the button stays in place on top of the fabric.[8]
- Be careful as you pull the needle through so that you don't poke yourself.
- Add the buttons to the other side of the fabric, if you'd like. Thread another button through one end of the twine that you just pulled through the fabric. It helps to pull the twine so that one end is longer than the other so you can easily add the button.[9]
- Tie a slip knot and pull it tightly to form the tufts. Once your second button is centered on the marked spot, form a slip knot around the button. Pull the shorter end of the knot to tighten the twine. The more you tighten the twine and button, the deeper your tufts will be.[10]
- Create a slip knot by forming a large loop with the twine using your fingers and grabbing the twine through the loop before pulling it tightly.
- Once you do this with the rest of your buttons, it'll be easy to make sure they're all evenly tightened with the slip knot.
- Form a square knot once it's tight and cut the twine. To tie a square knot, put the left piece of twine over the right and tie a knot, then put the right piece over the left piece and tie it again. This will keep the button in place and the tufts tight. Use scissors to carefully cut the twine under the button so the ends aren't visible.[11]
- Do this with the rest of the buttons once they're all attached.
[Edit]Tufting with Nails or Screws - Choose between screws and nails to form your tufts. Use screws for super secure tufts or opt for nails to keep the fabric from bunching up. Each nail or screw that you use will need a washer to be placed in, so check that you have enough washers, nails, or screws to create each tuft.[12]
- Only use nails or screws to form tufts if your project is one-sided and has a stable base that they can attach to.
- Make sure the washers, screws, and nails are small enough to fit under your button so they're not visible.
- You might use screws for a super quick and easy tufting job.
- Place a nail or screw inside a washer and hold it on a marked spot. Depending on which one you chose, situate a nail inside a washer or a screw inside a washer. Place it on a marked area where the tuft will go, holding it with just one hand so you can use the other to drive it into the fabric.[13]
- Use a drill or hammer to push the screw or nail into the fabric. Hammer the nail or drill the screw in slowly, making sure to hold the nail or screw super straight. Keep pushing the nail or screw into the fabric until it's nice and tight, according to your tuft preferences.[14]
- If you're using a hammer, be careful that you don't hit your fingers when you're holding the nail in place.
- Cover the back of a button with a strong glue and adhere it to the tuft. Use hot glue or another type of strong adhesive glue and put a large dot of it on the back of the button. Place the button on top of the nail or screw so that it's covering it completely and press down firmly. Do this with the rest of your button tufts, and your project is done![15]
- If your button has a loop on the back for thread, remove this with pliers before adding the glue.
- Avoid adding so much glue that it seeps out from under the button when it's pressed down.
- Hold the button in place for a few seconds so it has time to dry.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Designing Your Project - Padding
- Batting
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- White chalk
- Buttons
- Washers
- Nails or screws
[Edit]Using a Needle - Tufting twine
- Scissors
- Buttons
[Edit]Tufting with Nails or Screws - Washers
- Nails or screws
- Drill (optional)
- Hammer (optional)
- White chalk
- Adhesive glue
- Buttons
- Pliers (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Be a Successful Tutor Posted: 18 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT Starting a tutoring job may seem intimidating, especially since you're working with people that you've never met before. There's no need to worry, as it's easy to lead a productive and successful tutoring session with the right preparation. Just remember that tutoring isn't a race—it's a journey that you take with your tutee step by step that helps them develop a greater understanding of a certain topic. [Edit]Leading a Productive Session - Prepare for your session in advance if you can. If your student has scheduled a session with you ahead of time, ask the tutee what they'd like to focus on. Look over their assignment sheet before you start so you have a better idea of how to provide assistance.[1]
- If you know the assignment ahead of time, you can start helping the tutee right away during the session.
- Arrive at your sessions on time with all of your things. Keep all of your tutoring supplies in 1 spot, like a backpack or tote. Set an alarm or make a note of when your tutoring sessions are so you can arrive a few minutes early.[2]
- Arriving late to a session tells the student that their time isn't as important as yours.
- Learn about the background of the student's assignment. Ask your tutee if they have an assignment sheet or rubric for whatever they're working on. Go over this sheet with the student so you have a good understanding of what the student needs help with.[3]
- Some students might have a worksheet instead of an official assignment. It'll likely depend on the specific subject that you're tutoring.
- Establish an overall goal for each tutoring session. Ask the tutee to explain what they've been struggling with the most, and try to center the session around that. If you meet with a student regularly, you may be able to make a small lesson plan for future sessions. Decide if you want to focus on a specific assignment, or if your student would prefer to study a specific skill set.[4]
- For example, if a student is struggling with an essay, focus on the introductory paragraph instead of the entire paper.
- If a student is really struggling with algebra, you can walk them through specific skills instead of focusing on a homework assignment.
- Listen to the student's questions and concerns. Give the tutee plenty of opportunities to speak their mind, especially if they have a question. Keep the session focused on the student so you can be as helpful as possible. Don't dominate the conversation with your own knowledge—instead, offer assistance and advice on an as-needed basis.[5]
- Eye contact is a great way to show that you're listening to a student.
- Ask tutees open-ended questions instead of yes/no questions. Phrase your questions in a way that forces your students to answer and engage with the material. Don't let your student answer with "yes" or "no," as these aren't good indicators of a student's understanding. Instead, invite the tutee to explain the topic and information to you, which gives them valuable practice.[6]
- Instead of saying "Do you understand this topic?" you can ask something like, "Can you explain how you solve this problem?"
- Engage the tutee with questions throughout the session. Don't assume that the student completely understands a topic. Instead, ask plenty of questions to check in and see how they're doing. Remind the student that you can always backtrack if a topic seems confusing.[7]
- Get in the habit of checking in with your student every few minutes in the session.
- You can say something encouraging, like: "Is everything making sense so far? It's totally okay if you want to go over some of these topics again. This subject can be really confusing!"
- Think of multiple ways to explain a single concept.[8] Don't expect all students to learn and understand in the same way. Note that some tutees may be visual learners, while others may prefer to have things explained. Brainstorm different ways to teach a single topic, which helps ensure that your students really understand what's going on.[9]
- For instance, some students may learn better with a Venn Diagram while others may prefer a bulleted, written list.
- An auditory learner may benefit from a question and answer session, while a visual learner may prefer you to write or draw out different examples.[10]
- A kinesthetic, or hands-on learner, may learn better if you let them pace or walk around throughout the session.
[Edit]Creating a Friendly and Professional Environment - Greet your tutees before the session starts. Introduce yourself before the beginning of the session and invite the tutee to share their name as well. Offer a friendly greeting and some basic small talk to help the tutee feel a bit more comfortable.[11]
- For instance, you can say something like: "Hi, I'm Jane, and I'll be your chemistry tutor! What's your name?" or "Thanks so much for stopping by! How's your day going?"
- Praise your tutees so they feel encouraged. Let your tutee know whenever they do a good job with something. A simple "good job" or "nice work" can go a long way, especially if a student isn't confident in their own abilities. Try to praise your tutee a lot during each session, even if it's something small.[12]
- For instance, if your tutee solves a single math problem correctly, tell them that they did a good job.
- Consistent praise helps tutees get more confidence in their abilities.
- Let your tutee know if you aren't sure of an answer. Don't be hard on yourself if you aren't sure of an exact answer. Instead, be honest and transparent with your student about your own limitations. Use a reference book or quick web search to get the answer to your tutee's question instead.[13]
- It's perfectly normal and okay to not have the answers to everything!
- For example, you can say something like: "I don't know the answer to that off the top of my head, but I can look it up really quickly!"
- Relate to the tutee so they don't feel overwhelmed. Remind the student that they're not the only person who's struggled with this topic before. Share a story from when you struggled with a specific topic or lesson. Honesty will only raise your credibility with your tutee, and will help them feel more relaxed and at ease with their assignment.[14]
- For instance, you can say something like: "I completely understand where you're coming from here. I took a class where I was really confused, and I had to meet with a tutor for extra help."
- Exercise patience if a student doesn't understand something. Take your tutoring sessions step by step, even if it's going slower than you may like.[15] Work at the student's pace if they're stuck on a single problem, and offer continuous encouragement if they don't understand something right away.[16]
- If you get frustrated, the student may get discouraged.
- Remember that tutoring is for the student's gain, and not for your own.
- Offer a more flexible schedule that caters to your tutee. Try to make your schedule as open and accommodating as possible. Let your tutees know that you're happy to work around their schedule, and that your main goal is to help them succeed. Your students may feel more invested in their tutoring sessions if they know that their tutor is willing to help.[17]
- Instead of listing your own hours, ask the student what time slots work well for them. Try to work your tutoring schedule around the student.
[Edit]Fostering a Tutee's Independence - Give tutees moments of silence to figure out a problem. Don't be afraid of awkward silence in your session. Instead, encourage your students to take some time to themselves to figure out a problem. Offer your support on the side, then praise the student for their efforts![18]
- For instance, you can say something like: "I'll give you a couple minutes to finish up this problem. Let me know if you need any help!"
- Work with the student instead of commandeering the assignment. View your tutoring session as a set of training wheels on the bike—you're helping a student get the hang of an assignment while helping them develop confidence and independence. Don't solve their problems and do their assignments for them, as this won't teach your tutees anything. Accept that your sessions are a team effort where you offer support while the student leads the way.[19]
- Some students may expect you to solve a problem for them. In this case, say something like: "Let's go through an example together so you can solve this problem on your own."
- Center your lessons around your tutee's interests and learning style.[20] Try to gauge your student's interests as you begin the session. If your tutee is an athlete, try adding sports metaphors into your session. If the student is a musician, try making some musical connections.[21]
- Students may be more engaged in a session if you use references that they can understand.
- For instance, you can say something like: "The opening sentence of your essay is like the first play in a game of golf. Your sentence kicks off the reader and gets them engaged, while the first play gets viewers invested in the game."
[Edit]Establishing a Tutoring Business or Career - Work with a tutoring center if you enjoy working with other people. Look for work with an established tutoring center or university so you can provide consistent help to students. Use this kind of job opportunity to exchange tips and tricks with your fellow tutors so you can improve at your job even more![22]
- Working a tutoring center can be a great job, though you don't get to choose your own rates.
- Start a career as a private tutor if you want better hourly rates. Think about your own experience and flexibility before joining a tutoring center. Private tutoring offers a lot more freedom, and you can set your pricing based on your experience and comfort level. Start with $15 an hour or so if you don't have a lot of experience. If you're an advanced tutor with a lot of knowledge to share, you can set your rates anywhere up to $100.[23]
- Look at what other tutors are charging and try to match those rates.
- Create a profile on a tutoring website to market yourself. Find a general tutoring website that hosts different profiles. Add your resume to your profile, along with your rates and the subjects you specialize in. Wait for people to view your profile and book you for a tutoring session![24]
- You can also make your own website to advertise yourself as a tutor.
- Some great sites to use are Wyzant, Preply, and Classgap. Some universities also let student tutors upload profiles online.
- Communicate with teachers to give students a specialized learning plan. Talk with your tutee's teacher to find out what they've been struggling with. Work with the teacher to solidify a lesson plan that'll work well for the student. Try to keep in touch with the student's teacher frequently, so you can lead a focused session that will really help your tutee.[25]
- For instance, if a student is struggling with subject/verb agreement, you can center your next tutoring session around that.
- Get certified as a tutor to set yourself apart from them competition. Visit the National Tutoring Association or The Association for the Tutoring Profession to what certification options are available for you. Keep in mind that these certifications come with a fee of up to $55 that must be paid each year.[26]
- Some organizations require you to submit a professional recommendation before becoming certified.
- These certifications help potential clients know that you're qualified for the job.
- Always set professional boundaries with your tutees. Even if you're the same age as your tutee, remember that your relationship is professional and not social.[27]
[Edit]Warnings - Keep the session focused on academics, and not on you or your student's personal life.[28]
- Don't jeer or criticize the instructor for the tutee's class.[29]
- Always keep a student's personal information confidential.[30]
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References |
| How to Style Straight Male Hair Posted: 18 Aug 2020 01:00 AM PDT Having straight hair doesn't mean that you can't craft unique and stylish looks! In fact, straight hair is much easier to work with than curly or wavy hair, and you can create a ton of different looks just by combing and shaping it in different directions. Generally speaking, you can comb and shape straight hair in basically any way so long as you have a good pomade or hair wax. When choosing a style, consider the shape of your face and the amount of effort you want to put in every day to determine what will work best for you. [Edit]Choosing a Hairstyle - Get a crew cut for a simple look that's easy to maintain. The crew cut is a staple in men's fashion. It refers to a haircut where the hair is relatively short but a little taller on top. A crew cut is really easy to work with and allows for a few relatively simple styles. This makes it an excellent cut if you want options when styling your hair but don't want to worry that hard about taking care of it.[1]
- The crew cut is what most people think of when they picture a basic men's haircut.
- This is the best haircut if you like parting your hair to the side.
- Keep it a little long on top to have more freedom with styling. Many popular men's haircuts involve styling the hair on top while the sides are a little shorter. From the pompadour to the undercut, leaving the hair a little longer up top allows for plenty of options. Keep in mind, your hair will require regular trims and it may not look particularly good if you don't style it with this cut.[2]
- Get a fade for a sleeker, cleaner look on the sides. A fade refers to any hairstyle where the sides are shaved with clippers so that the hair gets increasingly shorter as it goes down towards the neck. On the top, you can either keep the hair long to have more styling options, or cut it extremely short to match the rest of the fade. If you do the latter, keep in mind that there really aren't any ways to style your hair. This is one of the easiest cuts to maintain, though![3]
- A high fade refers to fades where the hair gets longer near the top of the head. In contrast, a low fade refers to a fade where the hair starts getting longer closer to your ears.
- Keep your hair medium length to comb it over or slick it back. If your hair isn't exceptionally short, use your comb to part your hair to the side. Then, work the top of your hair back a little with the tips of your fingers to shape it towards the back. Alternatively, you can simply comb the top all the way back after parting it to slick it back an angle. This is an easy way to craft a trendy style with a classy edge.[4]
- These are great options if you've got a little bit of a bald spot that you want to hide.
- These are not great options if your hair is shorter than in length.
- In styling terms, a comb-over doesn't explicitly refer to the cut you use to cover a bald spot—it's simply any style where the hair is combed back at an angle from the part.
- Grow your hair out and keep it long if you like a full head of hair. If you like the way you look with long hair, grow it out! Long hair can be styled in a variety of ways to make it look clean, messy, or anything in between. Keep in mind, shampooing and conditioning your hair can be kind of pain if you have a ton of hair![5]
[Edit]Using the Right Products - Get a wax or pomade to shape and style your hair. For straight hair, wax and pomade are the best styling options. Wax and pomade will provide a medium hold that won't add a ton of volume or texture to your hair. Since your hair is on the straighter side, adding a ton of shine and texture can make your hair look greasy and unnatural.[6]
- The difference between pomade and wax is that pomade adds a slightly greasy texture to your hair and wax tends to be better at holding hair in place. Unless someone has a keen eye though, they won't be able to tell the difference.
- Opt for hair gel if you want a ton of hold and shine. Hair gel is thicker than pomade or wax and it's great if you want your hair to stay in place regardless of what you're doing. Unlike wax and pomade, hair gel reflects light when it's in your hair. Depending on the look you're going for, this is either a good or bad thing. Keep in mind that people will able to tell there's product in your hair, though.[7]
- Unless you're crafting a really unique look or slicking your hair back, you probably don't need gel for your straight hair.
- Use a volumizing mousse if your hair is on the thinner side. Volumizing mousse is a foam product that will coat your hair when you work it into your head. This makes it an ideal choice if your hair is a little on the thinner side and you want to thicken it up. Mousse offers a fair amount of hold, but it won't keep slicked back hair in place.[8]
- Mousse will add a kind of rougher texture to your hair. This isn't a good or bad thing, but it's something to keep in mind.
- Avoid styling cream unless your hair is really thick. Styling creams are better for people with thicker or frizzier hair that need a ton of hold. On straighter hair, it will make your hair look too curated and unnatural. This means you should stay away from styling cream unless your hair tends to frizz over the course of the day.[9]
[Edit]Crafting Your Style - Start with damp hair. Style your hair immediately after you get out of the shower. Blot your hair dry, but leave a little moisture in it. It's much easier to style your hair if it's still a little damp.[10]
- Scoop a dollop of product up in your hand and work it into your hair by hand. Pour or scoop up a quarter-sized dollop of product in your hand. Rub your hands together to spread the product out in your hand. Then, run your hands through your hair. Start by running your fingers through the roots with your fingers spread out. Continue doing this until all of your hair has been exposed to the product.[11]
- You may need to use more of the product if you have really long hair or you feel the strands starting to dry out while you apply the product.
- Never apply the product directly into your hair without rubbing your hands together first. If you do this, you'll end up with uneven globs of product in your hair, and it won't hold its shape uniformly over the course of the day.
- Use a fine- or medium-tooth comb for firmer, cleaner styles. To shape your hair when you're styling it, grab a fine-tooth comb if your hair is a little thinner. If your hair is on the thicker side and tends to frizz a little over the course of the day, grab a medium-tooth comb. These are the best tools to shape and move hair around while you're styling it.[12]
- Brushes and wide-tooth combs are best for folks with bulky, curly hair. Unless your hair is extremely thick, a brush or a wide-tooth comb is too abrasive for straight hair.
- This is the best way to craft side-parts, pompadours, slicked-back hair, and undercuts.
- Craft messier, more casual looks with your fingertips. For cooler, less formal looks, move the hair around with your hand. Use your fingertips to make smaller adjustments and shape larger sections of hair with your palm. Move the hair around until you've achieved the style you're going for.[13]
- This is ideal for French crops, messy looks, or general hair styling.
- You can use a combination of the comb and your fingertips to craft carefully curated styles.
- Dry your hair with a blow dryer while shaping it for a stronger hold. If you want your style to hold its shape, turn a blow dryer on and move it back over your hair while you're shaping it. Style your hair with one hand and hold the blow dryer with the other. Drying your hair while shaping it will firm up the style that you're crafting and keep it from coming undone over the course of the day.[14]
- Unless your hair is really long, keep it on low or medium heat while you're working.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Hair product
- Comb
- Blow dryer (optional)
[Edit]References |
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