Sewing I: Tool Belts & Half Aprons Class

With Briana Di Natale

Sewing machines and materials are provided for this class. Please do NOT bring your sewing machine nor your own materials. If you want to bring your sewing machine, checkout our Knowing Your Sewing Machine class.

Learn essential sewing techniques and create a durable, customized tool belt and half apron to keep or gift! In this beginner friendly workshop, you will gain the practical skills to complete a sewing project from start to finish while getting comfortable operating a sewing machine. This versatile apron is perfect for artists, gardeners, woodworkers, sewists, and anyone who needs quick access to tools while working on projects. You will walk away with a sturdy apron tailored to your sizing needs, the reusable paper pattern to recreate the project at home, and the confidence to take on future DIY sewing projects. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

What You’ll Make: 

  • A sturdy canvas or canvas like tool belt and half apron featuring adjustable belt sizing and custom pocket layouts to match your specific craft or trade. You will also take home the complete paper pattern so you can sew more aprons in different fabrics and sizes at home.

Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

  • Using a sewing pattern: cutting paper pattern pieces and cutting fabric from patterns

  • Machine operation: sewing straight seams and accurately pivoting corners

  • Selecting and using a straight stitch and zigzag stitch

  • Adjusting stitch length and stitch width for specific fabrics and tasks

  • Pocket construction, placement, and lining assembly

  • Best techniques for sewing heavier, thick fabrics smoothly

  • Reinforcing high stress points with bar tacks and topstitching

  • Applying interfacing to give structure and strength to pockets

  • Installing hardware including snaps and buckle closures

  • Sewing on patches to personalize your project (optional)

Equipment & Tools You’ll Learn:

  • Sewing machines, iron, tailor chalk, sewing pins, snap tool, and seam rippers

Class Outline:

  1. Introduction & Setup: Welcome, workshop safety overview, machine threading, and understanding core settings.

  2. Practice & Stitches: Hands on practice sewing on scrap fabric, adjusting tension and stitch settings, and practicing straight lines and pivoting corners.

  3. Project Construction: Step by step guidance on cutting fabric from patterns, constructing pockets and linings, stitching thick materials, reinforcing stress points with bar tacks, and setting hardware.

  4. Wrap Up & Q&A: Final fit checks, tips for sewing projects independently at home, machine troubleshooting review, and Q&A.

Other Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.

  • Class Capacity: 8 maximum, 3 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: 13+. Guardian required if under 18 (info)

  • Partner Ticket Available?: No

  • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: None

About Your Teacher

Briana Di Natale 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. Bri 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. She has a giddy passion for encouraging and teaching others to sew. See some of her work @frolicinthefiber or at frolicinthefiber.etsy.com

What People Say about Bri's Classes…

“Brianna had a contagious joy for sharing her craft. She was enthusiastic, informative, and worked with each of us individually to overcome any obstacles.”

“Her energy is magnificent. Bri is clearly passionate about sewing, but particularly passionate about sharing her expertise with students. The class was warm, open, and encouraging.”

“The instructor Briana was wonderful. She explained everything so clearly and was so patient. She created a stress-free environment that boosted my confidence tremendously.”

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