Terms and conditions

Terminology

• VSR - Virtual Sewing Room

• Attendees - a person who signs up to join a Virtual Sewing Room session.

• Host - a dedicated person who facilitates a Virtual Sewing Room Session. See About Us.

• Regular session - Usually a 2, 2.5 or 3 hour long session. Attendees work on any project they want to.

• Regular long session - A session that may range from 4 to 6 hours. Attendees work on any project they want to.

• “Sewalong”/themed sessions - A 2 to 6 hour long session. Sessions have a set theme where attendees will make similar item or garment.

Sessions

Virtual Sewing Room(VSR) sessions are an online space for socialising with likeminded other people. Unless otherwise specified, sessions are not workshops or teaching-led sessions.

There is space within the session to ask for advice or ideas of other people who make textile based items, but the hosts are not trained experts in any textile techniques.

To book onto a session

Please use the ‘Book a session’ online booking system.

Only a successful payment guarantees a place on a session. You will be emailed confirmation when your payment has gone through.

Joining a session

You will receive an email one hour before the session start time.

If you click the link before the start time, you may be in a Waiting Room, until the host lets you in.

Introductions start approximately 5minutes into a session, after 'faff time.’ Attendees can join and leave the session at any time that suits them.

Attendees must not share the email or Zoom link with anyone else.

Expectations from Attendees

We expect attendees to read and comply by the Virtual Sewing Room values, housekeeping guidance and conditions as outlined below. Our housekeeping can be found on our website and will be shared at the start of every session by the host.

By signing up to a Virtual Sewing Room session, attendees agree to;

• be respectful of fellow attendees, hosts, and the projects people are working on. Disrespectful or disruptive behaviour may result in hosts asking them to leave or be removed by the hosts. This also includes use of offensive language, in case of children or

• not share the Zoom link with anyone else. Attendees sign up for themselves to join. Attendees only need one person to sign-up if they are joining with other people also sewing/crafting in the same room as them.

• be respectful for the needs of others to ensure inclusivity. This includes turning the camera off when moving your device to relocate it, or any other reasonable needs which might occur on request during a session.

• mute when they have background noise that disrupts the flow of the Virtual Sewing Room session, eg sewing machines, people chatting, vehicles, dog barking. Hosts have the right to mute attendees who do not mute themselves.

• look at the Zoom “how to use” guides if they are not confident with using the platform. Very basic support can be given during a session from hosts or other attendees.

• manage any health and safety risks of the space they are working in. This includes, and is not limited to, display screen equipment(DSE) of device set up, use of sharp implements and ensuring any electrical devices are safe for use.

• take any advice from other attendees alongside their own research into issues. Attendees are responsible to sense check the advice before actioning. Attendees should seek professional advice for advanced or specific queries.

• avoid political, divisive or sensitive issues. Virtual Sewing Room is a chilled and respectful space, and we like to keep the vibe light-hearted for the most part.

• not share copies of PFD patterns which are a paid for pattern. We encourage attendees to purchase patterns for themselves where possible, especially from independent designers.

• tell other people about the Virtual Sewing Room and recommend us to others who may want to join! [if you feel we are worth recommending, of course].

• get in touch with the host or Jenny with any issues, complaints or feedback. If there is an incident they want to discuss, the attendee should do so as soon as they are able to.

Should there be any behaviour not in keeping with the Terms and Conditions of the Virtual Sewing Room, attendees will be at risk of being removed from a session, having their place canceled and/or having their subscription or account cancelled indefinitely.

Expectations from Hosts

Hosts are there to facilitate the session and provide a safe and relaxed space for attendees to socialise with others. Hosts agree to;

• provide an introduction and remind attendees of housekeeping

• welcome attendees

• provide space for attendees to ask for help or advice

• ensure a balanced and flowing conversation for the whole session

• guide conversation away from political, divisive or sensitive conversations

• provide basic support with use of camera, microphone and chat functions on Zoom.

• take on feedback and share with Jenny. Where necessary, hosts will provide support or followup conversation to the feedback

Cancellation and Refunds

We recommend you cancel your space on a session as soon as you know you cannot attend a session.

You can cancel your space to a session up to an hour before the session starts.

• Cancellations must be made by attendees via the VirtualSewingRoom website booking system.
  A link to cancelling your space on a session is available on your confirmation email, as well as through the website booking system.

• Cancellation of any space on a VSR session more than 60 minutes before the session starts time can get a refund if the attendee has paid per session.

• Cancellation of any space on a VSR session made within 60 minutes of the session start time is not refundable.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are available in three tiers;

• Free subscription - one free regular session a month

• Monthly subscription - unlimited regular sessions monthly

• Annual subscription - unlimited regular sessions for the year

Subscriptions start from the day of signing up and will run for the month/year from that point.

“Sewalong” or themed sessions have a separate cost to the regular sessions and are not included in any subscription.

Attendees with a subscription must not to share their login details or Zoom Link email with anyone else. Sharing your account with others may result in cancellation and/or banned from future sessions.

Pay It Forward (PIF)

Attendees have the option to donate to the Pay It Forward pot.

Donations to Pay It Forward are non-refundable.

The PIF pot is to support people who may not financially be able to attend sessions on a regular basis.

We are a nice and trusting team who hope this can help those in need of social connection.

The PIF tickets can be used no questions asked. Those using PIF can do so alongside Free Subscription.

PIF tickets should not be used by those with an annual or monthly subscription.

There will be limited number of PIF spaces available each month. Spaces will be refreshed on the 1st of each month from the previous months donations.

This scheme is subject to review by VSR team and may change at any time. An email will be sent to those on the mailing list with any changes to the scheme. This will also be updated on social media.

If your Virtual Sewing Room host cannot make it….

With a team of five hosts, we strive to make sure we can avoid cancelling any session. To date, we have not cancelled any sessions.

We have the right to cancel any session if we do not have a host available to chair a session. We will provide as much notice as possible by emailing attendees who are signed up and will also share on Instagram.

Attendees who paid for a cancelled session will be given the option of either;

• a full refund

• free attendance to session of equivalent type, subject to availability.
  A cancelled Regular session space could not be used for a Sewalong or themed session.

Liability

Virtual Sewing Room cannot be held responsible or liable for spending during or after a session. Attendees are responsible for their own finances when it comes to purchases inspired by conversations within sessions.

Complaints, queries or feedback

If you have any issues you want to discuss with us, please get in touch.

We are friendly and understanding, so we hope you feel comfortable to raise any concerns with us. We also love to hear your feedback, so do get in touch;

virtualsewingroom@gmail.com

If you are feeling shy, you can send feedback through our anonymous survey [Google Forms - your email is not shared with us].

Jenny runs all the admin, and any issue can only viewed by her.