Instructor: Erica Wagner
Learn to sew (or refresh your skills) in a fun and supportive environment! Using Shea Henderson’s book School of Sewing, students will complete 4 projects, building skills in machine sewing. We’ll cover fabric selection, essential tools, and basic techniques while making pillowcases, aprons, bags, and more.
Week 1 - Speedy Pillowcase. Skills: fabric basics, machine basics, tools, cutting, pinning, pressing, French seams, straight stitching, pivoting
Week 2 - Lined Drawstring Bag. Skills: cutting, assembling multiple pieces, making boxed corners, creating a casing
Week 3 - Apron. Skills: topstitching, pressing, rotary cutting, edge stitching, making bias tape, hemming
Week 4 - Zipper Pouch. Skills: using interfacing, inserting a zipper, topstitching, boxed corners
Materials needed:
Sewing machine with all-purpose foot and a zipper foot (or rent one of ours)
Fabric shears
Seam ripper
Glass head pins
Bodkin or large safety pin
Marking tools
Hand sewing needle
1” bias tape maker
Rotary cutter
Acrylic ruler (at least 12" long)
Cutting mat (18x24" or 24x36")
In addition to the above supplies, you will also need the following:
Week 1 - Pillowcase
27” X 41” main fabric (solid or non-directional print quilting cotton, can cut from 3/4 yard)
9” X 41” cuff fabric (solid or non-directional print quilting cotton, can cut from 1/4 yard)
thread to match
Week 2 - Lined Drawstring Bag
3 fat quarters (18" x 21") of quilting cotton for outside, outside contrast, and inner lining
2 yd ribbon, twill tape, drawstring, etc
thread to match
Week 3 - Apron
1 yd for main apron (slightly heavier fabrics like canvas, linen, or denim are good choices)
1/2 yard for pocket and strings (quilting cotton works well for this)
thread to match
Week 4 - Zipper Pouch
1/4 yard OR 1 fat quarter for exterior
1/4 yard OR 1 fat quarter for interior
9" or longer zipper
midweight fusible interfacing
thread to match
*We have most of these supplies in our classroom, and you won't need everything for the first class. Please ask us if you are trying to prioritize which items to purchase.*