What Workshop is the Best Fit for Me?
If you’ve been looking at workshops and building up the courage to try, here’s a little breakdown of what classes we have and approximately where you could be on your sewing journey before you sign up!
As a beginner in sewing, sometimes it feels like everything is too much, too expensive, too advanced. We were beginners too, we get it! Our process allows you to choose your level and drop in and out of classes as you gain confidence and skills.
If you have a sewing machine in the basement that you haven’t touched in years or ever, Hello Machine is the place to start. This class brings you through all the parts of the sewing machine, what they are and what they do. Then we wind a bobbin together, thread the machine (at least twice, but probably more!) and sew some samples. We do this to see if your machine is sewing properly; if not, then maybe a tune-up and servicing is in order for your machine. In the second part of the class, we’ll cover some basics about different garment fabrics, how they’re used, a selection of pattern companies and how to make a good match between cool fabric and a great pattern. From this class, you’ll go home feeling confident about how to do basic stitches on your machine and we hope you’ll start experimenting with different sewing projects!
“I sew/repair most of my husband’s coveralls the [crotch] and hem. So proud of myself even I have mistakes and my lines are not straight, he still loves it lol!
Can’t thank you enough for teaching me.”
As someone comfortable with your machine, you’ve done a few smaller projects, or if you are brand new to knits, our Intro To Sewing Level 1 - T-shirt will give you a major boost. This 6 hour workshop is sewing a t-shirt start to finish in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere so you feel empowered to do it again at home.
Choosing your own pattern and fabric allows you to get a basic tee that is perfectly your style! Together we go over how and why to measure yourself, how to choose a size based on those numbers and why to always look at the finished measurements. We do any small fitting adjustments like, t-shirts are always long/short/wide/big in the shoulders, and then we talk a lot about the right way to cut out your pattern from your fabric. You get to use tools from the studio that maybe you don’t have at home like rotary cutters, weights, cutting mats, clear rulers and more! Learning in community with others is so rewarding because someone will inevitably have the same question as you and we learn so much from each other. As we sew together our t-shirts we talk about order of operations, we troubleshoot any issues right there in class and we all tackle the neckband together.
“...my fantastic t-shirt made at Winnipeg Sews T-shirt Class! Such fun and great instruction!”
Intro to Sewing Level 2: Pants is a great introduction to woven garments. Similar to the t-shirt class, this is set up so that you can sew everything in class. You’ll have ideally completed some small projects on your own or taken the Level 1 class so that sewing terminology is becoming familiar to you.
Sewing pants is a great way to gain extra confidence in your sewing. This class is dedicated to closure-free pants, no buttons, zippers or snaps allowed so we can focus on learning the “how” first. Similar to the T-shirt class we cover measurements, basic fitting adjustments, and how to cut your pattern on grain. In addition to order of operations (what we sew first and why), we go over how to add pockets, elastic and how to finish your seams.
Pants are personal, you for sure have your own preference for shape, silhouette and fabric, so choose whatever pants you’d like for this class, joggers, culottes, wide-leg, slim fit, whatever works for you! Once you sew one pair, you’ll be pumped to try another. These types of patterns only have a few pieces and almost all sew together the same way, so you get better and better each time!
“So I starting working on that top that I have been wanting to sew since forever ... I could NOT figure out something on the pattern and so I put away and decided to leave it. Today I picked it up again, and it made complete sense to me. That’s what happens after taking classes with you. I now understand how things are supposed to fit together. I am a sewing goddess.”
Have you been sewing a bunch of different projects and you’re ready to try a tailored shirt? The Button Up class is for confident sewists that can complete straightforward steps on their own. The 6 hours are reserved for more complicated parts like tower plackets, cuffs, collars, easing in woven sleeves and, of course, getting balanced buttonholes. You should already feel comfortable with the basics of pattern prepwork and sewing & finishing your seams. In Level 3, participants are expected to have chosen their size, cut their fabric and sewn some basic seams prior to the first class so that studio time is spent on your most challenging steps.
Button Ups prepare you to sew a more complicated pair of pants as well by focusing on techniques like grading your seams, special seam finishes and applying interfacing, all of which are essential in the Jeans class.
“This was a major skill-building project for me... - my first set sleeves, plackets, buttons, collar, and handstitching work.”
Jeans are a nerve wracking sew for newer sewists, but the Level 4: The Jeans workshop is made to have you succeed!
Similar to the t-shirt and pants class, the 12 hour Jeans workshop is mostly all inclusive, meaning that most of your garment will be sewn in class. There are many firsts on these pants that make that extra time necessary and useful including a whole class on fitting your body.
I measure you and we choose a size based on measurements, including any necessary blending from waist to hip or adjusting calf size. We make any adjustments to the pattern and write down all changes including lengthening/shortening so you have them for future reference and you leave with a pattern that will be a good base for any future changes. We’ll also cover some fiddly bits like how to sew curved topstitching, how to sew a button front or zipper fly, how to attach and topstitch your waistband and how to get that buttonhole flat and install your hardware.
“I am so happy with these!!! Eeeek!! ... Thank you very much!!”
Of course, if group classes aren’t your thing, then Private Lessons are a good way to get specific instruction on just what you’d like to know! We’ve made everything from pillows, to bucket hats, to curtains and so much more.
I’ll update this as we add new adult classes to the website! Please let me know if you have something you’d love to see for a workshop or if you need some guidance to pick the right level for where you are. Send me an email!