local classes in Rosendale!

i’ve got good news for my local peeps: AT LAST i have a place to teach sewing classes much closer to home! in one of my favorite towns, Rosendale, NY, to be precise. this will be the first time i host my own classes (usually i teach at a shop or studio) so there may be some kinks to work out but i think it will be fun! i ran a survey a few weeks ago to help me determine the types of classes people want, and i got a lot of great feedback. for now i’m starting with three workshops, and we’ll progress from there if all goes well.

Befriend Your Sewing Machine is a low-commitment (one-session) kick-start or refesher. A bit more in-depth is Beginner Sewing: Design Your Own Tote, a 4-week workshop on Thursday evenings in March and April, to hone those sewing skills with a lined bag you design yourself, including infinite pocket possibilities! Then comes your chance to try pattern-drafting and garment sewing with Make Your Own Skirt in May/June.

these will be held at RosenSpace, 402 Main Street (ground floor), Rosendale NY 12472 (behind The Big Cheese coffee shop). to register, or if you have any questions, email me at cal@hodgepodgefarm.net. all classes will require payment in advance, and a minimum number of students to run. registration deadline for all classes is one week before the start date.

Beginner Sewing: Design Your Own Tote
Thursdays March 16, 23, 30 + April 6, 6-8pm
Four 2-hour classes, $160
In this beginner-level class (no previous experience needed), you’ll learn how to sew and make a useful tote bag with a lining and pockets. You’ll be the designer and determine the dimensions of every part of the bag, as well as the style and placement of pockets and straps. We will cover how to use the machine, sewing seams, top-stitching, patch pockets, boxed corners and 4-ply straps. Note: Students must bring their own machine to class.
Supplies:
– Sewing machine
– 1 yard medium-weight cotton or other woven fabric for bag
– 1 yard light- to medium-weight cotton or other fabric for lining
– Thread to match
– Basic sewing kit: scissors, pins & cushion, tape measure, ruler, seam ripper, tailor’s chalk
– Optional: trims or other embellishments.

Befriend Your Sewing Machine
Saturday 4/22, 1-4pm
One 3-hour class, $60
Do you have a sewing machine in your closet, but have never used it? Or you want to sew, but the last time you stitched anything up was in Home Ec class in 8th grade? If you are looking for a low-commitment class to get acquainted with your machine (or reacquainted with the art of sewing), this is the one for you! In this 3-hour session, you will learn how to thread your machine and wind a bobbin, sew a simple seam, and hem edges. You will make either a pillowcase, tote bag, or drawstring pouch. From this start you’ll have a foundation for moving on to all kinds of sewing projects, and your machine may just become your very BEST friend!
NOTE: I am not a repair person. Please be sure your machine is in working order; if in doubt, have it serviced. Also bring the machine’s manual (most can be downloaded if the original isn’t available).
Supplies:
– sewing machine + manual
– 1/2 yard or more fabric: any basic woven, printed or solid cottons, denim, twill, etc. (Optional: 1 yard ribbon for handles or drawstring, or trims for decoration)
– thread to match
– sharp fabric-cutting scissors
– pins and pincushion
– seam ripper
– tailor’s chalk/wax
– ruler

Make Your Own Skirt
Thursdays May 25, June 1, (skips 6/8), 15 + 22, 6-8pm
Four 2-hour classes, $160
In this 4-week class, you will learn how to draft a pattern for an A-line skirt, based on your very own measurements. Then you will cut it out and sew it up! New skills you will acquire are: measuring properly, pattern drafting, making and fitting a muslin, invisible zippers, darts, french seams, and bias-tape facings. Once you’ve made your first, you’ll see how many possibilities there are are for all sorts of modifications. You might never buy another skirt again!
Note: Students must have at least competent beginner sewing skills (i.e. a few simple projects under your belt) and be comfortable with their machine. Some homework will likely be necessary in order to complete the project.
Supplies:
For the pattern:
– at least 2 sheets of 18×24 paper
– notebook
– pencil/eraser/sharpener
– ruler (18×24 clear is ideal)
– scissors for paper
– clear tape
– tape measure
For the skirt:
– Sewing machine,
– invisible zipper foot*
– 2 yards muslin
– 2 yards medium weight woven fabric (printed cotton, denim, corduroy, linen, etc…)
– 1 invisible zipper to match (7″ length)
– 1 package 1/2″ single-fold bias tape (can match or contrast)
– all-purpose thread to match
– basic sewing supplies: fabric scissors, pins & cushion, seam ripper, tailor’s chalk/wax
*Invisible zipper feet are different than regular zipper feet, and usually don’t come with your machine. Try to find the YKK brand one, which fits any machine: http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Zipper-Foot-YKK-Zippers/dp/B001C1Y3UO

NOTE: You will need only the pattern supplies (plus your muslin, scissors and pins) at the first class session, and all of the supplies at the remaining 3 sessions.

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Filed under classes, sewing, upstate

i am a maker, designer and teacher, living in the catskills/hudson valley region of new york. i sew, crochet, make patterns, spin, embroider, dye, knit and more...

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