COVID-19 Update: Until there is a vaccine I will not be offering any in-person group classes. However, I will periodically offer online virtual classes over Zoom, and can rent sewing equipment to students who need this for the lesson or class. If you are interested in learning about virtual classes and workshops, please contact me and I will be in touch when they are available.
The details about classes and workshops below are currently informational, so that you can have an idea of what I have taught in the past and what may be offered in the future.
Classes at my studio are all small groups (usually no more than four students), which makes it possible for me to dedicate personalized attention to each individual. Whether you are coming for some weekly creative “me-time” or just want to learn a useful skill, my studio is designed to give you a fulfilling learning experience. I strive to make the classroom vibe fun, focused, and comfortable so you feel welcome to ask questions and experiment with this age-old craft. Garment sewing is my particular area of expertise, so most of my group classes area clothing-focused. However, if you are interested in home decor or other items like handbags, invention prototypes, pet gear, etc. my private lessons would be a good way to go. Classes are organized into levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) but if you want help deciding your level feel free to contact me.
Level 1: Beginners (VIRTUAL)
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. Classes in this category include:
- a simple drawstring bag
- a lined cloth bag / tote
- two 18″ throw pillows with an invisible zipper (poly-filled pillow forms included in the class fee)
- Pajama / workout pants
Sewing machines and basic equipment (scissors, pins, etc) are available to rent for the duration of the course ($40 fee) if you do not yet have supplies of your own. The class follows this format:
- Session 1 (Saturday, Dec 5th, 10am-12pm): We will be meeting on a Saturday morning at A Fabric Place Basement in Alexandria, VA to learn about supplies and materials, different kinds of fabrics, and purchase fabrics for the cloth bag, throw pillows, and pajama pants. Masks are required. Students will also receive a kit at this time with materials for the drawstring bag, pattern for the tote bag, and a few other materials. If you need a sewing machine and equipment, I will have those ready for you to pick up from my car.
- Session 2 (ZOOM Wednesday, Dec 9th, 7-9pm): 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. We will work our way through your first project, a small lined drawstring bag.
- Session 3 (ZOOM Wednesday, Dec 16th, 7-9pm): We will lean how to place pattern pieces on fabric, pin them and cut them out, and sew curves to construct the lined cloth bag.
- NO class on Wednesday, Dec 23
- Session 4 (ZOOM Wednesday, Dec 30th, 7-9pm): Cut out fabric for throw pillows and learn how to finish raw edges of the fabric, then sew on an invisible zipper.
- Session 5-7 (ZOOM Wednesdays, Jan 6, 13, 20, 7-9pm): We will learn how to read a sewing pattern clothing pattern, how to find your correct patterns size, and how to make pattern modifications if required.
- Class fee: is $260 + fabric for tote bag, through pillows and PJ pants, matching thread, and two 20″ invisible zippers. The class fee includes a kit with materials for the drawstring bag, two 18″ pillow forms, and patterns for all projects.
- Max class size: 4 students
- Schedule:
-
- Saturday Dec 5, 10am-12pm, Wednesdays 7-9pm Dec 9, 16, 30, 2020, and Jan 6, 13, 20, 2021 Register
Level 2: Intermediate
COVID-19 Update: Until there is a vaccine I will not be offering any in-person group classes. However, I will periodically offer online virtual classes over Zoom, and can rent sewing equipment to students who need this for the lesson or class. If you are interested in learning about virtual classes and workshops, please contact me and I will be in touch when they are available.
These classes are designed for people who feel comfortable operating their sewing machine, but are still looking for guided instruction to expand their skills. Intermediate sewers have completed at least one garment and are ready to try new techniques and projects. Classes in this category include:
- 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: 4 students
- Prerequisites: Beginner Course or knowledge of basic sewing machine operation
- Schedule:
- Wednesdays 7-9pm, ongoing Register
Intermediate Topical Workshops
Each season I offer workshops on topics that help students build skills in a specific area, such as sewing zippers confidently, hemming or mending clothing, sewing with knits, and more. Most workshops are two hours, with multiple workshops scheduled in a single day so that you can take more than one for an immersive experience. I also offer some day-long workshops too, such as the Sewing with Knits class.
- Class time: 1 session, 2.5 hours
- Maximum class size: 4 people
- Supplies required: none
- Prerequisites: none
- Fee: $45 + $10 kit fee (4″ x 6″ rubber block, sturdy white twill fabric for printing, 11″ white zipper)
- Schedule: TBD Please email me and let me know you have an interest.
- Class time: 1 session, 2 hours
- Maximum class size: 4 people
- Supplies required: Garment(s) you would like to learn how to copy, pen & paper for taking notes, or a smartphone/digital camera for taking pictures. Even though you will only have enough time to work on copying one item, it is good to bring multiple pieces so that I can help you choose the best one to start with, and explain how you might approach copying the others.
- Prerequisites: Some experience with making clothes already (such as the Beginner Course, Intermediate Course, or self-taught garment construction) is highly recommended. You will be learning how to create an accurate pattern for a garment in this class but you won’t actually construct it during the class (that can take many more hours or cutting and sewing). It helps to have some background with understanding what a pattern is, what grainline is and why it’s important, and how pattern pieces connect to form an article of clothing so that you don’t feel lost in the class. For help constructing a garment that you have patterned in this class, you can alway attend an open studio.
- Fee: $45
- Schedule: TBD Please email me and let me know you have an interest.
- Class time: 1 session, 2 hours
- Maximum class size: 4 people
- Supplies required: None (everything included)
- Prerequisites: To get the most from these class, it is highly recommended to have some experience making or altering garments so that you understand key vocabulary and concepts (for example, seam allowance, dart, gather, center front and back, etc).
- Fee: $45
- Schedule: TBD Please email me and let me know you have an interest.
- Class time: 1 session, 2 hours
- Maximum class size: 4 people
- Supplies required: Skirt or pair(s) of pants to hem; items with holes, rips, or tears to mend
- Prerequisites: Beginner Course or knowledge of basic sewing machine operation
- Fee: $45
- Schedule:
- TBD – Please email me and let me know you have an interest.
- Understanding how to measure and map you body to make a simple pattern
- Laying out your fabric and cutting your pattern correctly
- Understanding the types of stitches, needles, and thread to use when working with knits
- Simple pattern modifications so that you can change necklines, sleeve length, hem length, and basic fit/shape
- Prerequisites: This class is designed for students who have already had some experience with making garments or other items, and are looking to better understand how pattern making works.
- Materials: The class fee includes all materials (two yards of ponte knit, thread, pattern making paper, marking tape, elastic). You do not need to bring anything with you.
- Class Time: 10am-5:00pm with a break for lunch (bring your own lunch)
- Maximum class size: 4 students Fee: $150 + $25 material fee (total $175) IMPORTANT NOTE: Because we are going to be measuring your body, please come wearing one layer that is very close fitting, like a fairly snug tank or t-shirt.
- Schedule: TBD. Please email me and let me know you have an interest.
- Identifying different weaves of wool, including coating, twill, herringbone, gabardine, boucle, jersey and knits, and more
- Learning about the various kinds of wool (for example, merino, cashmere, angora, etc) and how their properties influence fabrics
- Understanding many of the common weaves and types of silk, how they differ, and ideal applications for garments
- Learn how to safely press, steam, and care for these fabrics
- Finishing techniques for delicate, thin, slippery, and otherwise tricky materials
- What needles, thread, types of seams, and finishing techniques can be used with silk and wool to produce clean and durable results
- Prerequisites: This class is designed for students who have already had some experience with making garments or other items, and are looking to expand their bag of tricks for working with silk and wool.
- Materials: none required. If you have pieces of silk or wool in your stash that you’d like to ask about, or projects you have started (or wanted to start) please feel free to bring them for an individual consultation
- Class Time: 2 hours
- Maximum class size: 4 students
- Fee: $45
- Schedule: TBD – Please email me and let me know you have an interest.
- Different types and thicknesses of leather and how they are handled
- Cutting techniques, including layout and planning for a project
- Ways to machine-sew and hand-sew leather
- Tools for sewing, cutting, and manipulating leather
- Combining leather with other fabrics
- Ways to stamp, imprint, and mold leather
- Where to buy leather
- Leather maintenance and care
You’ll have an opportunity to try the various techniques (sewing leather by machine, sewing leather by hand, stamping and imprinting, molding and shaping, etc) and try a few mini-projects to practice these skills. Mini-projects include a coin pouch with zipper, stamped key chain, and scissor sheath; you will be able to complete one or more of these projects in class, but will be able to watch the process for all.
- Prerequisites: This class is designed for students who have already had some experience with making garments, accessories or other items but who may not have tried working with leather yet. To get the most from the class, I recommend that participants already have some familiarity with using a sewing machine and making an item using a pattern so that you will be able to grasp the terms and concepts mentioned in class.
- Class Time: 2 hours
- Maximum Class size: 4
- Materials: None required. All materials for the mini-projects (zipper pouch, scissor sheath, stamped key chain ring) are included. You are welcome to bring in pieces of leather or examples of garments/accessories that you have questions about for individualized advice. Fee: $45
- Schedule: I usually offer this class in the fall and/or winter. Please contact me if you’d like to be notified when I list the class again!
- Class time: 1 session, 2 hours
- Maximum class size: 4 people
- Supplies required: included in class fee
- Prerequisites: Beginner Course or knowledge of basic sewing machine operation
- Fee: $45
- Schedule: TBD Please email me and let me know you have an interest.
Level 3: Advanced
At this time I recommend private lessons for advanced learners. You can also feel free to email me with questions about your interests or goals.
What if I want to become a fashion designer or get help preparing for fashion design school?
If you are interested in becoming a fashion designer, I recommend starting with a 1.5 hour private lesson so that you can share your ideas and I can help you understand the steps in the road ahead of you, whether that may be embarking on an entrepreneurial endeavor or preparing a portfolio for a fashion school. I operated a small production house in Washington, DC for almost three years and can work with you to explain the stages of product development, offer you resources for further learning, and help connect you with ways to begin production once you are ready.