THE CREATIVE SEWING WORKSHOPS Progressive Sewing Instruction: Building your wardrobe one garment element at a time! You will be able to create custom designs from the sloper made just for your body: including the Bodice, the Skirt, and the Pants. Then, change the fabric and details, and you will never have to use a commercial pattern again, unless for design inspiration. Copy your styles from Ready to Wear, TV personalities, and more. You will see that your clothes can fit better and you can have more fun in the design and sewing process. These are definitely intermediate to advanced level classes and the sewer must have good knowledge of patterns and sewing skills. The sloper classes have been developed from a combination of Pattern Drafting and Flat Pattern Measuring techniques. You will measure your body, measure the pattern, alter it for your measurements, then, make 2 muslin mock-ups for fitting and fine-tuning. A Master Pattern will be completed for designing purposes. Other classes will be taught either from the finished sloper or from a skill building concept, such as the Boiled Wool jacket with special seam finishing and pocket details. Or, the Jean Jacket made in soft leather or pleather (synthetic leather). Intermediate Level Sewing Classes: Class #200 Series Advanced Level Sewing Classes: Class #300 Series The Designing Series: #301A The Bodice: Dart manipulation and adding collars #301B The Sleeve: making a 2-piece sleeve, adding cuffs, and more #301C The Skirt: designing 5 more styles from the sloper Half-scale or quarter-scale patterns are used to play with your patterns. It will give you a 3-dimensional view of what you want to design. Color them or draw prints on them to give you a real creative look to mimic fabrics. Lots of fun! There will be no more than 4 students per class for individual attention, unless a demonstration is given and will accommodate more students. Classes are scheduled on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:00-4:00 and Thursday mornings from 10:00-1:00. More times will be added in the future as needed. Easy to use sewing machines are provided or bring your own machine. Class registration requires a 50% deposit of the fee, with half of it refundable with at least a 1 weeks notice. This is to ensure that you will be committed to the class. If for any reason you are not satisfied with a class, I will return your entire fee after the first class attended. Missed classes will need to be rescheduled and will not be free. A $20 per HALF hour fee will be required. Unusual circumstances will be considered.
INTERMEDIATE CLASSES: These classes are for those sewers that already know the basics of sewing and can follow a project without the need for a guide sheet. #201 Boiled Wool Jacket: Thursdays 2/16, 23, 3/2, 9 #202 Jean Jacket in Leather: Thursdays 3/16, 23, 30, 4/6 #201 BOILED WOOL JACKET: Let s get creative and make a unique jacket. This is a really interesting class using boiled wool and special seam finishes. An unlined, button-front jacket will have topstitching, Hong Kong seam finishes and an unusual dual-entry, lined pocket. Sewing Techniques: Hong Kong seam finish, special pockets, topstitching, option: adding a decorative zipper to the pattern center front. Suggested Pattern: McCall s # 7058 Provided with class fee Thursdays: February 16, 23, March 2, 9 10:00-1:00pm $ 125 #202 JEAN JACKET in Leather: This class is to make a jean-style jacket from soft Leather. We will use leather skins to cut out our jackets. Learn how to place pattern pieces and cut out the leather, and sewing machine tips to sew it. Cost of the leather will run about $120-150. Sewing Techniques: Sewing with Leather, topstitching, applying snaps (optional) Suggested Pattern: Butterick #5616 Provided with class fee Thursdays: March 16, 23, 30, April 6 10:00-1:00pm $ 125
ADVANCED CLASSES: These classes are for the experienced sewer only and must have a good knowledge of patterns and basic sewing skills. There may be extensive pattern work necessary. #301 Custom Bodice Sloper: Mondays 2/13, 20, 27, 3/6, 13 #301A Designing Bodices: Monday 3/20 #301B Designing Sleeves: Monday 3/27 #301C Designing Skirts: Monday 4/3 #302 Classic White Shirt: Wednesdays 3/29, 4/5, 12, 19 #303 Custom Pant Sloper: Wednesdays 3/1, 8, 15, 22 #304 Lined Fitted Skirt: Thursdays 4/13, 20, 27, 5/4 #305 The Little Black Dress: Wednesdays 4/26, 5/3, 10, 17 #306 Chanel Jacket: Mondays 4/10, 17, 24, 5/1, 8, 15, 22, 29 #301 CUSTOM BODICE SLOPER: You will make a fitting shell of your body. You will measure your body, adjust the pattern, make two muslin mock-ups for fitting and finetuning. I have developed my own method of altering patterns using the techniques of both pattern drafters and flat pattern measuring. A Master Pattern is completed to use for designing purposes. Sewing Techniques: Pattern Drafting and Flat Pattern Measuring, bust cup adjustments, extensive pattern work. Suggested pattern: Vogue #1004 as our basis to start the process. Class Sessions: 5 classes, 15 hours of instruction. Mondays: February 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13 1:00-4:00pm $ 150 #301A DESIGNING BODICES: Using the half-scale patterns provided, we will take the side bust dart and transfer it to the armhole or shoulder for princess seams. Or, move the waist dart and create beautiful gathers off of a front yoke. Or, add a back yoke and determine what to do with the back shoulder dart. Draft a simple collar and collar band. Monday: March 20 1:00-4:00pm $ 35 #301B DESIGNING SLEEVES: Using the half-scale patterns, learn to take the fitted sleeve from the sloper and make it into a 2-piece sleeve for a jacket. Draft a blouse sleeve with a cuff and pleats: where does the elbow dart go? Add fullness to either the sleeve cap or sleeve hem to make beautiful gathers. A petal sleeve is so easy and very trendy, so we ll create that also. Monday: March 27 1:00-4:00pm $ 35
#301C DESIGNING SKIRTS: Using half-scale patterns, and rom the skirt portion of our bodice sloper, I will show you how to make a fitted skirt with darts. Add a yoke and transfer the darts to soft pleats. Change the grain line and make a gored skirt with beautiful fullness at the hem. Remove the waistband and add a waist facing for more comfort. What happens to the waist darts in the facing? Monday: April 3 1:00-4:00pm $ 35 #302 CLASSIC WHITE SHIRT: Using your Master Pattern, design and sew a classic shirt-style with long sleeves and cuffs, front button placket opening and a collar with a band. Sewing Techniques: Altering the Master Pattern for a blouse, changing the fitted sleeve to a blouse sleeve with continuous lap and cuff, adding a button placket, drafting a collar and stand, seam finishing and top-stitching techniques, and use of interfacings. Class Sessions: 4 classes, 12 hours of instruction Wednesdays: March 29, April 5, 12,19 1:00-4:00pm $ 125 #303 CUSTOM PANT SLOPER: You will make a fitting shell of your pants with waist darts and waistband. We will measure your body, adjust the pattern, make two muslin mock-ups for fitting and fine-tuning. A Master Pattern is completed to use for design and style changes. Sewing Techniques: Pattern Drafting and Flat Pattern Measuring Suggested Pattern: Vogue #1003 Order from Vogue for the best price. Class Sessions: 4 classes, 12 hours of instruction Wednesdays: Mar 1, 8, 15, 22 1:00-4:00pm $ 125 #304 LINED FITTED SKIRT: Using your Custom Bodice Sloper, you will use the lower skirt section and make a quick skirt sloper. Design and sew a skirt with different style options and add lining and a vent (kick pleat). Sewing Techniques: Add additional details to the skirt pattern, lining techniques Suggested Pattern: The Custom Bodice Sloper Thursdays: April 13, 20, 27, May 4 10:00-1:00pm $ 125
#305 THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS: Using your Master Pattern, you will design and sew a dress from your inspiration ideas. Sewing Techniques: Altering the Master Pattern for a dress you design. Drafting facings for the neck and armhole. Exposed zipper application. Adding a lining will be discussed. Class Sessions: 4 weeks, 12 hours of Instruction Wednesdays: April 26, May 3, 10, 17 1:00-4:00pm $ 125 #306 CHANEL JACKET: Using your Custom Bodice Sloper, you will make your version of the Chanel Jacket with quilted lining, beautiful trim, and chain weight at the hem. This jacket has very unique sewing techniques and will be an important wardrobe piece that you will enjoy for years to come. Lots of homework required. Sewing Techniques: Altering the Master Pattern for a jacket, quilting the lining to the fashion fabric, matching plaids, pattern layout on single layer fabric, and lots of hand stitching techniques. Class Sessions: 8 Classes, 24 hours of instruction Mondays: April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8,15, 22, 29 1:00-4:00pm $ 250