Classes & Events

One-on-One Classes

Allison Garrison offers an hour of individual instruction, “Meet Your Machine.” Session designed for adults brand-new to sewing and includes the basics of your machine and an introduction to basic stitching.  Fee is $40.  Call to schedule a time.

Johanna Branley will help you “Make Peace with Your Serger,” whether you are a beginner or more advanced serger. Call to schedule a three-hour individual class for $75.

Sewing for Men

Second Sunday of the month, 2 – 5 p.m. Next class: January 8.

Taught by John deChadenedes, self-taught sewing guy with over 40 years of experience.  Says John, “There are thousands of useful and beautiful things you can make with a good machine and a few basic techniques. Why not come try it? No experience necessary!”  (Note: Students receive a 15% discount on purchases the day of class.)

$30, per class plus materials depending on the project.  Maximum students: 6.            

"Quick Sew Projects: January – March

Appropriate for teens and adults, the following classes allow you to start and complete a project in one session while practicing useful sewing skills. Students need to bring their own sewing machine, and know how to operate it, as well as basic sewing machine skills. Classes taught by Julianne Cohen.   Supply list provided; please ask for one when registering for class. Students receive a 15% discount on purchases the day of class.

Felt Hat:   Sunday, January 29, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Make the cutest wool felt hat in one sitting! Practice tracing and cutting from a pattern, making and applying bias tape and handmade trims.  Minimum 3 students, maximum 4.                 $54 class fee.  Supplies extra.

Sleepover Pillow Case:   Sunday, March 4, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Choose fabrics that show your personality for this pillowcase with a drawstring that lets you pack your overnight essentials inside.  Learn French seams, piping, and making a casing. Minimum 3 students, maximum 4.

$54 class fee.  Supplies extra.

Pencil/Cosmetic Pouches: Sunday, March 25, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Make one or more pouches of different sizes to hold your stuff.  Practice inserting a zipper, adding lining, and using darts.   Use a terrific print fabric or even a waterproof fabric. Minimum 3 students, maximum 4.

$54 class fee.  Supplies extra.

Beginning Sewing: January – March 2012

Another series of Beginning Sewing starts in January!  This is a three month series; sign up for a month at a time.  The class is taught by Julianne Cohen who will make you fall in love with sewing, if you haven’t already!  Students must bring a sewing machine and related supplies to each class; a complete supply list is provided, so please request one when you sign up for class.

$164 per student per month, maximum four students per class, minimum three students. The cost does not include the supplies required.

Month One:  Saturdays, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.      January 14, 21, 28

Build your confidence through practicing basic stitches and seams, using interfacing, piping and edge trims, finishing seams, hemming, and machine appliqué.  Class projects will reinforce the skills you’ve learned.

Month Two:  Saturdays, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.  February 11, 25, and March 3

Add zippers to your beginning skills and practice using a commercial pattern to create a project to wear.

Month Three:  Saturdays, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.  March 10, 17, 24

Reinforce your sewing and pattern-following skills through sewing one or two more complex garments.  At the end of month three you’ll be amazed at what you can tackle on your own, and you’ll be ready for “intermediate sewing.”

Intermediate Sewing: January – March 2012

For students who want to continue to practice sewing and gain experience with more complex sewing projects.  The class is open to students who have completed Beginning Sewing in the fall, or who have equivalent beginning sewing skills.  Class is taught by Sarah Fulford, an accomplished apparel seamstress and pattern drafter.

This is a three month series, but students sign up for a month at a time.  Each month will feature a different sewing project; the first month will be a coat from a commercial pattern.  Students must bring a sewing machine and related supplies to each class; a complete supply list is provided, so please request one when you sign up for class. Students receive a 15% discount on purchases the day of class.

$164 per student per month, maximum four students per class, minimum three students. The cost does not include the supplies required.

Month One:   Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.     January 14, 21, 28

Month Two:   Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.   February 11, 25, and March 3

Month Three:  Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.   March 10, 17, 24

Kids hand sewing classes are all taught by Jeanette Schanilec, legendary crafts and sewing teacher on BI!

"New-   Tuesday Kids SewingClub 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.    for ages 6 and up*

                January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (5 sessions this month - bonus day!)

                February 7, 14, 21, 28

                March 6, 13, 20, 27

"Wednesday Kids SewingClub 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.    for ages 6 and up*

            January 4, 11, 18, 25

            February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (5 sessions this month - bonus day leap year!)

            March 7, 14, 21, 28

Beginning and continuing sewers welcome! Join the club for four weeks at a time, then stay or come and go each month as your schedule allows. In a creative and supportive environment, each club member will go at their own pace, learning to sew by hand making cute stuffed creatures and charming personal accessories.  Members will practice the fundamentals of hand sewing including: threading a needle, straight and overhand/whip stitches, sewing on a button, applying trim, plus the basics of using and creating patterns. 4 week sessions $70 each, all materials included. Maximum students: 8

"Stitching for Little Kids – Thursdays4:00 - 5:00 p.m.  for independent 4 to 6 year olds

            January5, 12, 19, 26

            February2, 9, 16, 23

            March1, 8, 15, 22

In a small group setting, young children are introduced to the basics of real hand sewing with fun, quick and simple, age-appropriate felt projects. This is a drop-off class suitable for independent preschoolers and kindergartners with an interest in fine-motor activities.  4 week sessions $45 all materials included. Maximum students: 4.

* 5 year-olds who have successfully completed Stitching for Little Kids or Sew What! may join a Sewing Club or Half-day class with permission of the instructor.

"Wednesday Half-Day Hand-Sewing Workshops for Kids                                                               

for children 6 and up with some sewing experience (should be familiar with straight stitch,   overhand/whip stitch and sewing buttons).

January – FUN FELT FOOD FAKES

Wednesday, January 11, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Using your basic sewing skills and a pile of felt, Jeanette will show you how to create a buffet of fun and realistic food sculptures. Order up!  All materials included $30. Maximum students: 6

February – HEARTS & FLOWERS

Wednesday, February 8, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Using your basic sewing skills Jeanette will show you how to make some very sweet Valentine’s Day surprises with felt, lace, sequins and beads. I LOVE sewing!  All materials included $30. Maximum students: 6

March – POP TOP PINCUSHIONS

Wednesday,March 7, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Using your basic sewing skills Jeanette will show you how to create teeny-tiny pincushions and adorable sculptures with a plastic bottle top. Recycling is good!  All materials included $30. Maximum students: 6

ASG (American Sewing Guild):1st Thursday/month. Next: January 5, 10 – noon.

The local neighborhood group meets the first Thursday of the month.  Interested visitors are always welcome.

Fearless Quilters: 4^th Monday/month. Next: January 30, 1 – 3 p.m.

The quilters from Rolling Bay Presbyterian meet to quilt, learn to quilt, and support all quilting efforts.  Anyone is welcome to join them; bring your sewing machine and a quilt project, if you have one started.

American Hero Quilt Night: 3^rd Thursday/month.  Next: January 19, 7 – 9 p.m.

Learn and practice your piecing skills by working on a good cause: American Hero Quilts, which are donated to Madigan Army Hospital.  Basic sewing experience required.