Sewing Class

Does anyone know of sewing classes that aren't like the ones at JoAnn's? Nothing against them, but they don't seem to teach you what you really need. I took home ec in HS (we won't say how long ago!), and I can sew basic things, but they all look "homemade". Not that that is a bad thing, but I'd like a little more professional look to them. I would love one-on-one lessons, does anyone do that? I'm in the NE Florida area if anyone knows of anything. Thanks! Jamie

Reply to
Happy Stitcher
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There are a lot of places that give great classes. It sort of depends on the size of your town and how far you are willing to travel would factor in. I have observed some of JoAnn's classes when I have been in their store and my feeling is that it's just a good way for them to sell supplies. They seem, from the few I have actually seen, to be limited in scope. Some of the places that you can check, and it may take some phone time and serious personal bonding with the yellow pages, are the Vocational schools near you; call your dealers of higher end machines for in store classes, you don't need to be using their brand of machine to take the classes you pay for; community centers often have sewing classes or are waiting for calls to log an interest to start scheduling; local community colleges often have adult extension education courses of this type. Also check your listings for schools in your area. Some art schools have fashion courses where sewing skill is part of the curriculum. Be specific about what you want to learn and most have brochures or flyers to mail you. Once you start to call around and ask questions you may get additional information to steer you in the right direction. If you are still interested in one-on-one lessons you could ask the instructors of the classes you find if they would be willing to do this. I can understand your feelings about the private instruction thing. Sometimes having somebody at your home for a few 'in the zone' hours is far superior to a several classes spread over a period of weeks. I have done both and found it always rewarding,however, with classes I have enjoyed I also get the added benefit of making some new friends with a common interest.

I hope this helps you in what you want to find, Good luck!!

Val

"Happy Stitcher" wrote in message news:odw_a.16114$ snipped-for-privacy@fe03.atl.webusenet.com...

Reply to
Valkyrie

Check with the nearest ASG chapter. There may be a member that does classes. Gail

Reply to
Gerry Leath

For those of you who have sewn for years as well as those who are just beginning, the American Sewing Guild is an excellent source information and assistance. There are chapters all over the country and smaller local "neighborhood groups" as well.

They provide classes and training, but the best part is there are local meetings where there are sometimes presentations, but also a "Show and tell time" where members bring in what they have sewn to show if off, or ask for assistance or advice, etc. Good friendships are established in these gatherings.

Visit their web site (below) and look for a chapter to contact that is near you. You can visit three times before having to become a paying member.

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*************************** Marilyn, in California
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Reply to
Marilyn

Val - Wow, what great ideas! I'll see what I can find with the good ole yellow pages. We don't have many dealers around here, at least that I'm aware of, but I'll check it out. Thanks again. Jamie

Reply to
Happy Stitcher

Stretch & Sew used to do great classes. I'd suggest checking schedules at your local community college, any classes offered by your city recreation department, and all the sewing and fabric stores in your area. I'll bet you'll find something to suit.

Reply to
Joanne

Wow - thanks for all of the great suggestions. I should have plenty to choose from will all this information. Jamie

Reply to
Happy Stitcher

Kay - I think the facings is one area, especially on clothes I've made for my granddaughter (she doesn't care, she's only 2!). I don't make a lot for myself because I think they look homemade - I made a couple of simple skirts, and they have elastic in the back. No matter what I do, that looks "tacky". Also, even with sewing the elastic to the side seams, it still turns within the casing (even on the baby's stuff).

Probably fitting also, as no pattern seems to fit you right in all the places. I've never tried to alter a pattern, just don't even know where to start. Except for pants (which I haven't made in many, many years) - I do have to lengthen those as I have a 33" inseam, and most women's patterns aren't that long.

I'll find some of the books/video's you mentioned, and see what they can teach me. Thanks for your great suggestions. Jamie

Reply to
Happy Stitcher

FWIW, I like BanRol XL-90, a very wierd looking nonroll elastic, for waistbands.

More helps:

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Also Linda Lee's article in Threads #83, June/July 1999 Four other books pop to mind, also:

--Susan Huxley: Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry

--Claire Shaeffer: High fashion sewing secrets from the worlds best designers

--Susan Khalje: Linen and Cotton: Sewing techniques for great results

--Carol Ahles: Fine Machine Sewing. (ok, it looks like heirloom sewing, which I don't do. However, read the first two chapters and chapters 8 and 9 on hems, if you do nothing else. *Excellent* machine techniques. You'll save hours and get better results.

Good rtw uses interfacing *much* more liberally than home sewing patterns do. It's almost always fusible, and it's almost always lighter in weight than what's commonly available in most fabric stores. Personally, I've given up on standard store interfacings and just keep a stock of the interfacings Connie Crawford sells... they're the same ones that wind up in good ready to wear, and they're wider than most "store interfacings". Her favorite is HTFM-4091, and when she needs more body, she'll use a couple of layers. I use a lot of her HT15P-7927 for woven shirt collars and cuffs and bands.

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you order, ask her for fusing instructions. Do not preshrink the interfacing. Use a hot (linen setting) iron, a moist presscloth andabout a 30 second dwell time. Do not move the fused fabric until ithas cooled, and it will hang on forever. Kay Lancaster snipped-for-privacy@fern.com

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Yup, you stretch it by putting one hand behind the needle and one in front, and pulling... then you stitch, guiding with both hands. Or at least that's how I do it. Leave an inch or so of elastic at the beginning, so you've got a "handle" to start with; trim it off when you're done sewing in the elastic.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Another option for online classes is Colleen Jones through

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I've taken live classes with Colleen and she's wonderful. I've seen some of the instructions she's written for the online classes and they are very detailed. And she offers a critique option where you can send your samples into be critiqued. Almost as good as being there in person.

I take an on-going, work at your own pace, on your own project class with Colleen and I'm amazed at what I've accomplished since I've started. She calls it Sew Lab. Other store might call it sew with a pro or somesuch. I also second American Sewing Guild - great place to be inspired, instructed and make contacts with lots of women that can help you perfect your sewing, while having lots of fun..

Just a very happy student of Colleen's (and Lisa that teaches with her)

Joy

Reply to
Joy Stafford-Evans

Kay - I'm sorry. I'm just learning about that stuff. I was getting so much spam that it was suggested I do a "no spam" email, and I forget to put something else in. Jamie

Reply to
Happy Stitcher

etc.)

Reply to
Happy Stitcher

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