Sewing I: Sewing Machine Basics Class

With Briana

Are you this close to throwing away something that just needs a button or hem or hole fixed? Need a special gift but just can't find anything special enough? Looking for clothes that make you feel excited about getting dressed every day? Learn sewing machine basics in this perfect-for-beginners class. We provide the machines!

What you’ll make: A reversible tote bag with a flat bottom that you can use for groceries, books, anything at all. Never pay for a shopping bag again! This tote bag is perfect for housing a gift and it doubles as a bonus gift.

What you’ll learn: Foundational sewing skills that include how to choose fabric, cutting fabric, pinning, threading a machine, checking and adjusting thread tension, sewing seams, understanding seam allowance, sewing a lining, making/attaching a pocket, making/attaching straps, flat-bottom technique, the always-handy method of hand sewing and perhaps a bit of machine troubleshooting if a situation arises during class. You’ll be able to make this bag over and over, even in different sizes. You’ll also be ready to move on to our other sewing classes where we’ll work with stretchy materials and make clothes and anything else you can imagine up.

Materials:

  • 1 yard of woven (non-stretchy) fabric for bag exterior, washed and dried to remove shrinkage

  • 1 yard of woven (non-stretchy) fabric for bag interior, washed and dried

  • a spool of all-purpose sewing thread

Notes on Fabric Selection:

  • A medium-weight fabric (canvas, denim, cotton/linen blend) is ideal but any non-stretchy fabric will do. A more lightweight fabric will yield a bag that is suitable for more lightweight items.

  • A standard yard of fabric is folded on itself and is 36 inches long and 44 inches or about 54 inches wide if it is unfolded. You can buy fabric or upcycle any fabric/clothing you have, just be sure you can get 4 rectangles (2 for the bag interior and 2 for the bag exterior) that measure 18 x 18 inches and 4 rectangles for the straps each measuring 18 x 1 ½ inches.

  • Any questions whatsoever on fabric selection? Not to worry, just email the instructor!

Sure, YouTube is loaded with how-to-sew videos, but nothing beats learning in the company of others with an instructor helping you past any roadblocks you come to so you can progress quickly. The sewing community is close-knit and friendly so please come and join us!

Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.

  • Class Capacity: 8 maximum, 3 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: 13+ (guardian required if under 18)

  • Partner Ticket Available?: No

  • Available for a Private Class?: Yes (info)

  • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: None

About Your Teacher

Briana has been a dedicated sewist and knitter since 2011. Her favorite projects to create are clothing and accessories. She almost exclusively wears things that she has made herself.

Briana learned to sew from her mother who attended FIDM in Los Angeles when she was a child. She grew up surrounded by her mother's patterns, pins on the floor and wearing clothing she sewed for her. Her grandmother is also a sewist and quilter so sewing is in her blood and soul. She has a giddy passion for encouraging and teaching others to sew.

See some of her work @frolicinthefiber or at frolicinthefiber.etsy.com

There are currently no available dates for this class.

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