Skills 2020

It’s coming. A new decade. A new year. Maybe a new sewing machine?

I’ve got such a great lineup of classes coming all year long and I wanted a chance to explain what’s the running theme behind them. Each month will focus on one skill that is beyond the basics.

January to March we’ll be talking about pants. While the fitting class is general fitting advice, you can ask anything you want in the Q&A portion including all about fitting pants. Hopefully you’ll have a good handle on how that’ll work by the time we’re at the Q&A. In February, we’ll be covering zippers. Of course not all pants have zippers, but a lot of patterns that can seem intimidating do. We’ll go over best practices and how to sew a zipper fly. In March we’ll be learning about welt pockets. This class will focus on technique and construction. In every workshop you’ll have one-on-one time and the ability to ask questions as we go along. You’ll leave with materials and samples that you can refer to so you can come back to them when you’re not sure.

You can pick and choose what classes and workshops make sense to you in your sewing practice. Maybe you’re fine with zippers but want a hand with welt pockets. Maybe you just need fitting advice. Whatever it is that speaks to you about making pants is good!

There will also be classes to make pants. So you can come to just the skills class, or you can come to the whole workshop and make a pair in one go. Each month I’ll be sewing up an example that matches that month’s skill. In January I’ll be focused on fitting jeans to someone else. In February, I’ll be sewing cargos with a moto hack, meaning plenty of zippers. In March I’ll be making mens’ pants with those classic welt back pockets. These will be documented here on the blog. Every three month block will have a plus size pattern, a men’s pattern and a standard women’s pattern so that I get to sew a wide range of patterns that can push my own skills further and further as I get out of my comfort zone of tried and true patterns. These are the patterns I’ll be sewing for January to March:

January: Ames Jeans by Cashmerette Patterns

February: Bryce Cargos by Hey June Handmade (with zipper hack)

March: Jutland Pants (variation 1) by Thread Theory Patterns

April to June will focus on a woven top, July-September will be all about layers from blazers to cardigans, and then October to December, I’m sure you’ve guessed will be all about coat-making. Guest teachers are going to be coming in, specialized skills like interfacing and sewing with silk will be covered. By the end of 2020, even if you are just beginning to sew, it’s totally possible for you to have made 4 from scratch, exactly what you’d like items. A pair of pants, a top, a layer and a coat. These can be so different and customizable, everyone will have something completely unique! I can’t wait to see what everyone’s going to make!