Adult Classes

These classes are designed for complete (or nearly complete) beginners. They are for people who have never used a sewing machine, or haven’t used one recently enough to feel comfortable knowing how to operate it.  You will learn the fundamentals of using a sewing machine, handling fabric, and sewing straight to complete simple projects.

If you’re interested in learning the basics of using a sewing machine to make simple projects, this is the place to begin! The adult beginner course introduces you to the sewing machine and guides you through the process.  The course will take you through the following projects:

• a simple drawstring bag
• a pair of PJ shorts
• a zipper pouch or throw pillow cover

All classes will take place at my studio. Sewing machines and basic equipment (scissors, pins, etc) are available for you to use if you do not yet have supplies of your own.

In this class, you will learn how to thread and operate the sewing machine independently and be introduced to important sewing concepts such as how to pin your material, what a seam allowance is, different types of stitches and what they are used for, understanding right and wrong sides of fabric, and a few basics of construction. You will leave the first class with a project completed, a small lined drawstring bag.

In addition to these fundamentals, you will learn more about different types of fabric and what makes materials easier or harder to work with. We will go over how to lay a pattern on fabric to make a pair of pajama shorts and a zippered pillow cover or zippered pouch, pracicing technies such as curved seams, hems, and inserting elastic.

The evening class option runs as three (3) two-hour sessions; the Friday class runs as two (2) three-hour sessions. Both classes cover the same content.

Class fee: is $185 + two fabrics, thread and one invisible zipper (see details below)

Materials needed:

PJ Shorts: 1.5 yards of cotton fabric (like quilting cotton or flannel) and matching thread.

Throw pillow (16-20″) or zipper pouch/clutch: 1 yard of home decor fabric (a thicker fabric found in the home decor section of stores), 22″ matching invisible zipper, and matching thread

Fabric stores in the area include:

• Three Little Birds Sewing Co.
• A Fabric Place Basement  (my personal favorite)
• G Street Fabrics

Max class size: 5 students

Schedule: 

Tuesdays 7-9pm: June 2, 9 & 16

Fridays 9am-12pm: July 17 & 24

Wednesdays 7-9pm: Aug 26, Sept 2 & 9

Fridays 9am-12pm: Oct 9 & 16

Wednesdays 7-9pm: Oct 14, 21 & 28

Fridays 9am-12pm: Nov 13 & 20

Wednesdays 7-9pm: Dec 2, 9, 16

If a class is full contact me to be added to a wait list.

Learn how to tailor garments for a better fit, revive well-worn clothes through simple repairs and adjustments, and make something old into something new in this three part class. 

Part 1: Hemming and Mending: We will cover the basics of hemming and mending techniques through a combination of demonstrations and hands-on practice. You will learn:  how to measure and mark garments to shorten/lengthen, ways of hemming by machine and by hand, mending techniques for rips, tears, and holes, and how to sew on a button or fix some types of zipper fails. 

Part 2: Alterations and Remixing: This session will help you understand the process for making alterations on existing garments and mixing together two or more garments to make something new. We will cover the basics of fitting, marking, and measurement, and learn how to take apart seams and mark them for tailoring, how to add darts and pleats, how to approach the process of combining two or more garments into a new piece.

Part 3: Project practice time! Bring garments you would like to work on for practice using all of the techniques explored in the first and second sessions. 

The evening class option runs as three (3) two-hour sessions; the Friday class runs as two (2) three-hour sessions. Both classes cover the same content.

Class time: 6 hours total 

Maximum class size: 5 people

Supplies required: garments from your closet to hem, mend, alter or remix

Prerequisites: The Beginner Course or comfort threading and operating a sewing machine. 

Fee: $195

Wednesdays 7-9pm: June 3, 10 & 17

Fridays 9am-12pm: June 5 & 12

Fridays 9am-12pm: Aug 28 & Sept 4

Wednesdays 7-9pm: Sept 23, 30, Oct 7

Fridays 9am-12pm: Oct 23 & 30

Wednesdays 7-9pm: Nov 4, 11 & 18 

Fridays 9am-12pm: Dec 4 & 11

 

If a class is full contact me to be added to a wait list.

This 90-minute class is for those who have never made a garment before, or those who have started but got intimidated along the way (it happens!). The workshop will dive into the process of understanding how to begin constructing a garment from a pattern. This class is meant to be a preparatory class for the six part All Levels Clothing Construction Course (below). Once you take this prep workshop, you can get the supplies and materials you need for the Clothing Construction Course, if you choose to take it. We will cover:

• Taking body measurements and choosing a pattern that is correct for you, as well as options for altering pattern sizing
• Choosing fabric that is right for your skill level and desired garment
• Determining how much fabric is needed for a project
• Understanding what other notions (thread, zipper, buttons, etc) should be purchased. 
• Decoding the markings and symbols on a pattern
• Learning how a pattern in cut out and laid on fabric

Class time: 1 session, 90 minutes

Maximum class size: 6 people

Supplies required: none — but a notebook and pen for taking notes is recommended

Prerequisites: The Beginner Course or comfort threading and operating a sewing machine. 

Fee: $45

Dates offered:

• Tuesday 7-9pm, June 23
• Tuesday 7-9pm, Sept 1
• Tuesday 7-9pm, Oct 27

If a class is full contact me to be added to a wait list.

This mixed-level class is for students looking to learn how to make clothes or how to improve their range of garment construction skills. Students may work with a commercial sewing pattern or create their own by copying an existing clothing item. Each student will receive individualized instruction on their particular project and have an opportunity to learn by observing classmates’ projects.

If this is your first time constructing a garment, the Prepping for Clothing Construction Class is strongly recommended as a prerequisite.

Class time: 6 sessions that are 2 hours each, or 4 sessions that are three hours each

Maximum class size: 5 people

Supplies required: Pattern and fabric 

Prerequisites: The Beginner Course and/or comfort threading and operating a sewing machine. If this is your first time making a garnet with a pattern, the Prepping for Clothing Construction Class is strongly recommended as a prerequisite

Fee: $295

Dates Offered: 

• Tuesdays 7-9pm, July 14-Aug 18 (six 2-hour classes)
• Wednesdays 7-9pm, July 15-Aug 19 (six 2-hour classes)
• Tuesdays 7-9pm, Sept 8 – Oct 13 (six 2-hour classes)
• Fridays 9am-12pm, Sept 11 – Oct 2 (four 3-hour classes)
• Tuesdays 7-9pm, Nov 3 – Dec 8 (six 2-hour classes)

 

If a class is full contact me to be added to a wait list.

In these classes you can build your sewing skills by trying a pattern for a more challenging garment or new type of material. You will gain confidence as you learn additional techniques and keep practicing your sewing skills.

Open Studios are designed for those who have taken the Beginner Course or who have had some experience making projects independently or in other settings and would like to become more proficient. Because you choose what garment to work on, you can take as many or as few classes as often as you like as you work through new styles.

Class fee: is $40/class + supplies or purchase a package of 6 for $210 ($35/class). If you are using the package, purchase it first and then schedule your dates.

Max class size: 5 students

Prerequisites:  Beginner Course or knowledge of basic sewing machine operation

Schedule:

Tuesdays 11am-1pm, every week unless otherwise noted

If a class is full contact me to be added to a wait list.