Sewing Classes

This 16-lesson class will teach you what fabrics to use for linings, how to select the best lining fabric for a particular garment, how to draft a number of lining patterns, and how to care for lined garments.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.

Full Description

People who enjoy sewing love having a pattern that fits to perfection. Here's your chance to develop a darted bodice pattern that fits and is comfortable. You'll learn basic fitting concepts, more involved fitting techniques, as well as patternmaking skills so that you can effectively make the fitting changes to your pattern.

In this 16-lesson class, you can choose to work on any pattern that has side bust darts -- a shirt or blouse, a dress, or even a jacket. More information about selecting a pattern as well as choosing an appropriate size will be sent to class participants upon registration. Although fitting is easier if you have a fitting buddy (and this person does not need to be a sewer), tips on fitting yourself are included in the lessons. To check your fitting progress, Sarah will give you valuable feedback if you wish to post photos in the class gallery.

Following is a list of topics that Sarah will cover. Note: if you have taken another fitting class from Sarah through Pattern Review, some of the lesson material on basic fitting and pattern techniques will be the same. However, ten of the lessons focus on bodice and sleeve fitting specifically.

• Developing a fitting method and understanding fitting basics.
• Learning to recognize and identify fitting issues.
• The role of the fitting muslin and how to mark it.
• Step-by-step instructions with photographs showing how to fit a bodice with side bust darts.
• Step-by-step instructions with photographs showing how to fit a set-in sleeve.
• Solutions for fitting different body variations.
• Transferring fitting changes to the pattern.
• How to make the pattern changes that are most frequently required.
• Walking and truing patterns.
• Draping a dart rather than using the pattern's dart.
• The theory of dart manipulation and dart variations.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.

Finally, an alterations class you've been waiting for! Learn to alter your own pants pattern or your favorite RTW pants for a perfect fit!

The "Saggy Butt" ... You will be taught how to alter to resolve the problem of a crotch seam that is too low as well as making adjustments for a flat derriere.

The Gaping Waistband ... A gaping waistband is a very common problem when purchasing pants. You can't go down a size because the hips fit great, what do you do? This lesson will not only teach you how mark your waistband correctly, you will learn a few different options on how to alter you own pants.

Tapering Pant legs ... Alteration #1: Do you ever have a problem in the hip area of your pants where there is way too much fabric? I call this "elephant ears". Just hold the fabric out and you will see the image I am talking about. This fitting issue is common in women with smaller hips or an athletic build. Alteration #2: Learn to taper the legs on your pants in order change the look of your straight leg to a boot leg or skinny bell bottoms. Alteration #3: Want to look 5 pounds skinnier in your pants? See before and after pictures and learn how to make this simple alteration to your pant legs.

Hemming ... Learn the proper lengths for a hem as well as a few trick to the trade on sewing a professional hem.

Bow Legs ... The alterations is geared to sewing from a pattern, learn a simple alteration that will camouflage bow legs.

Bonus: Upload photos of your muslin for personal fitting advice.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.

Definition: Underlining -- a layer of fabric basted directly to the wrong side of the fashion fabric to enhance the look and performance of the fashion fabric.

Garments are not commonly underlined in sewing today, except in some bridal gowns. Yet, it's one of the most useful sewing techniques going, and not just for special occasion garments. An underlined garment wears longer and tends not to wrinkle. But underlining is also used to add body to the fashion fabric -- this can be as subtle as underlining a sheer fabric with georgette for opacity, and as substantial as underlining wool with flannel for warmth.

If sewing apparel is your passion, you'll be amazed how the technique of underlining improves your garments. Chances are, once you've underlined your first skirt, you'll be hooked. That's not to say that you'll underline each and every garment you sew. But you'll have this valuable technique in your sewing arsenal -- and you'll be able to judge when to employ it and bring your garments to another level.

This class will teach you:

• what the difference is between lining, underlining, and interlining
• how to decide when to use an underlining
• which fabrics to use as underlining
• how to cut out and apply underlining to the fashion fabric
• how to make underlining do double duty as lining

The kit is an integral part of the class and is required. You will be provided everything you need to underline two half-scale garments in order to learn and practice the techniques described in the lessons. Kit contents include:

• 3/8 yard silk organza
• 3/8 yard lightweight wool
• 3/8 yard silk charmeuse
• 3/8 yard silk georgette
• 2 high-quality hand-sewing needles
• 1 spool silk thread
• 1 half-scale skirt pattern
• 1 half-scale bodice pattern

Skills Required: Basic sewing techniques. Sewers of all levels will benefit from this class. While many beginners may think this is an advanced class, underlining is one of those things that if you learn it early on, you'll learn to utilize it from the get-go.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.

Whether you are a novice or seasoned sewer, this class will delve into every aspect of sheer fabrics so that you're eager -- and confident -- to start sewing with them.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.

Full Description

Buttons and buttonholes are so commonly used that we tend to accept them without really thinking about them. Yet this method of closure has both a technical and a creative aspect to it. Whether you're interested in sewing buttonholes that look good or would like to explore the diversity of this type of closure, then this class is for you!

The 16 lessons in the class will include the following topics, plus much more.

• Sewing different buttonhole types, including: machine-sewn, corded, bound, hand-worked, slot seam, loops, and thread chains.
• Getting good-looking buttonholes on difficult-to-work-with fabrics.
• Understanding the relationship between button size and buttonhole placement.
• Placing and marking buttons and buttonholes.
• Sewing buttons, including: strength, durability, and creative effect.
• Using buttons/buttonholes as design elements, and making them as unnoticeable as possible.
• Miscellaneous topics, including: modesty panels, covered plackets, and Chinese ball buttons.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.

Get those expensive RTW Jackets to fit you! This class will focus on altering jackets that you've already purchased or sewn.

• Tapering a lined Jacket
  • Learn to alter the back seams, side seams and under bust adjustments for a tapered fit.
• Learn how to adjust a jacket that puckers under the sleeve and into the bust area.
• Learn the proper way to raise the shoulders.
• Learn to taper a 2-pieced sleeve.
• Hem a lined jacket
• Hem the sleeves on a lined jacket.
  • Hem with a vent.
  • Hem with simple attached lining.

Bonus: Post pictures of your own jacket for personal fitting advice and solutions. Altering Women’s RTW Jackets All of these lessons will focus on altering jackets that you have already sewn or purchased. Bonus: Post pictures of your own jacket for personal fitting advice and solutions.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.

If you've done any garment sewing, you've probably encountered facings before. While commercial patterns do include an overview of how to apply the facing to the garment, the information is usually pretty general. Although there's more to facings than you might think, the good news is that mastering them is easy. And the benefit of well-sewn facings is that your garments will look better than ever.

Applying a facing is one of my favorite things to sew: after years of sewing and hundreds of them, I still get a kick out of putting a facing on. I think this is because each step is easy to do, and if done correctly, the facing will be perfect � every single time.

Another intriguing aspect of studying facings is learning how to make simple design changes to your patterns. One of the functions of a facing is to finish off the raw edge of a garment -- a bodice neckline for example. If you have a simple blouse that fits well, changing the shape of the neckline can result in a garment that looks new and unique. Making this type of pattern change and drafting the accompanying facing pattern requires no prior patternmaking experience -- you'll be amazed at how easy it is!

The 7 lessons in this class will cover

• The functions of a facing.
• The importance of supporting a facing.
• How to select the best interfacing for a facing.
• How to successfully apply a facing.
• Pressing tips when constructing a facing.
• How to develop (draft) a facing pattern.
• Tips on developing new neckline shapes.
• Using facings in order to shape other areas of garments.

Skills required: Basic sewing techniques. A great class for beginners and even for intermediates who want to fine tune their skills. Also great for people getting back into sewing after not sewing for a while.

Class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and Interactive real time chat sessions with the instructors.