Take your sewing skills to the next level in this 10-week course designed for experienced sewists who are ready to expand their techniques and confidence using both a sewing machine and a serger. Through a variety of creative projects, students will explore garment construction, upcycling, quilting, and specialty fabrics while learning professional finishing methods.
Participants should have prior sewing experience and be comfortable operating a sewing machine independently. This class introduces serger fundamentals while challenging students with intermediate to advanced sewing techniques that build precision, creativity, and versatility.
Course Projects & Skills:
- Weeks 1–2: Introduction to the Serger & Market Bag with Drawstring
- Learn serger machine components, threading procedures, safety guidelines, and core functions.
- Construct a reusable market bag with a drawstring closure while practicing serger finishing techniques.
- Materials: Thread, woven fabric suitable for a market bag, drawstring cord or ribbon, scissors, pins, and tape measure.
- Weeks 3–4: Upcycling Denim
- Explore creative ways to repurpose denim garments.
- Learn techniques for deconstructing jeans by removing seams, pockets, waistbands, and hardware.
- Transform reclaimed denim into a unique, functional project while reducing textile waste.
- Weeks 5–7: Sewing with Knit Fabrics
- Build confidence working with stretch fabrics using both a sewing machine and serger.
- Learn proper handling, seam construction, and finishing techniques while creating comfortable knit pajama bottoms.
- Materials: Pajama pants pattern, knit fabric, coordinating thread, and elastic.
- Weeks 7–9: Simple Quilting Techniques
- Expand your design skills through pattern adaptation, custom fitting, and professional finishing techniques.
- Learn the popular "Quilt-As-You-Go" method while constructing a small lap quilt.
- Practice accurate piecing, quilting, binding, and finishing for polished results.
- Week 10: Specialty Fabrics & Project Completion
- Complete unfinished projects and continue building confidence by practicing techniques on specialty fabrics such as satin and other non-cotton materials.
- Receive instructor guidance to refine skills and troubleshoot advanced sewing challenges.
Materials: Students should bring a sewing machine in good working condition, along with a serger if available. A complete supply list, including fabric and project-specific materials, will be provided prior to the first class. Some projects require students to purchase their own fabrics and patterns.
This course is ideal for sewists who have completed a beginner sewing class or have equivalent experience and are ready to explore more advanced construction techniques, specialty fabrics, and creative sewing projects in a supportive, hands-on environment.
Limited to 8-10 students to allow for individualized instruction
