Thank you so much for your interest in sewing classes! Currently, I am on hiatus from teaching. I’m so sorry. If you’d like to stay in touch, please sign up for the newsletter below. I will announce if classes and private lessons will resume. Thank you so much!
I recommend Beehive Craft Studio and Ronkita for class offerings.
XO, Leslie
Meet Me At the Fabric Store: Pattern & Fabric Selection
The first time at the fabric store can feel overwhelming. What’s my pattern size? What fabric is right for this design? There’s a list of fabrics but I don’t know how to identify them. What is “nap” yardage?
I’ll guide to through the pattern books to select a pattern that matches your skill level, but still gives you some good challenges. We’ll learn how to identify fabrics as we walk through the apparel section. You gain confidence in selecting the ideal fabrics for different garment styles. You’ll also get help with pattern sizing, calculating yardage, and selecting notions.
One 2-hour class • up to 4 students per class • $20 • Class votes on N or S Joann Fabric location.
Garment Sewing for Beginners
In this fun 4-class series, you’ll choose a pattern from a pre-selected easy beginner patterns options list. I chose these patterns to give you a well-rounded introduction to the most essential garment construction techniques that will challenge, but not overwhelm. There’s so much more to making clothes than just sewing seams, and you’ll appreciate having ample time to learn foundational skills that will prepare you for more challenging patterns in the future. Trust me—things always take longer than you would think, and a 1-hour or 2-hour “easy” pattern is a myth!
You’ll create a garment that’s simple but fits well, and you’ll leave class with the confidence to cut, read a pattern, and stitch up patterns on your own. Please know that all gender identities, orientations, ages, body types and cultures are embraced here.
Class 1: Students arrive with their pattern. You’ll learn to choose your true pattern size, and make simple custom adjustments for a nice fit. We’ll pin your pattern together and do a “tissue fitting” to preview the fit and make additional pattern alterations.
Class 2: We’ll take your altered pattern and learn to pin, cut, and mark your garment pieces. Then, it’s finally time to start sewing! Pattern lingo will start to make more sense as we begin sewing each step.
Class 3: We’ll continue sewing, and along the way, you’ll learn how to sew and press darts, grade seams, facings, bindings, clip curves, and the various ways to finish the raw edges of your seams.
Class 4: The excitement of completing your garment is building! We’ll do one last fitting before we commit to the side seams, then finish the construction and hemming. You’re now all set to take on SEW many future clothing patterns!
3 students • Four 3.5-hour classes • $180 • Pre-requisite: You feel confident operating your machine and have sewn a variety of projects. Not sure? Just shoot me an email and we can discuss!
* Hold the phone! Is that big ol’chain store a bit overwhelming? How ‘bout I meet you there? If you’re nervous about choosing fabric and notions on your own, and/or you would like to learn more about textiles, you can enroll in the 2-hour MEET ME AT THE FABRIC STORE class, and I’ll be SEW happy to show you the ropes.