Class Information

CLASSES ARE SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS

Classes are Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.  The fee is $50 per person, per class.  There is a limit of 4 people per class. 

Due to the nature of the individual instruction, these classes can be started by anyone at any time. 

Each student must have their own portable sewing machine and sewing supplies. They must sign up and pay for the class by the Friday before the class in order to hold their place the next week. This can be done by either coming to Maria's Tailor Shop or by calling and paying by credit card. 

Our initial program of sewing lessons consists of 9 projects. Each project has specific skills to work on. If those skills have been found to be proficient at the end of the project, the student will be able to move on to the next project. The class limit is 4 students which allows the instruction to be individualized and the students to work at their own speed. The classes are held once a week in the evening and the student will have enough instruction to do work at home if they choose.

Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who will be required to watch them for safety concerns. These adults will not be in the class count nor be required to pay.

Equipment Requirements

• Sewing machine - portable
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter (optional)
• Pins
• Needles for the machine
• Needles for hand sewing
• Seam gauge
• Measure tape
• Seam ripper

Project 1 – half log cabin strip apron

This project requires no pattern. The fabrics for this project can be combined with the second project to reduce cost. (most stores will not sell you less than 1/4 yard)

Skills List

• Cutting simple strips with a rotary cutter or scissors and rulers
• Pinning to sew pieces together
• Sewing a straight seam
• Pressing seams
• Trimming and turning corners
• Topstitching a finished seam

Materials List

• 1/6 of a yard (6 inches) of at least 12 fabrics (this can be combined with the second project by increasing the yardage to 1/4 of a yard) This fabric should follow a color or a theme and be simple woven cotton such as quilting fabric – these cannot be “fat quarters”
• 1 yard of the same style of fabric coordinating with the other fabric and to be used for lining and straps
• Thread that matches the overall color scheme
• A set of “D” rings

Project 2 – squares shopping bag

This project requires no pattern. The fabrics for this project can be combined with the first project to reduce costs.

Skills List

• Cutting simple strips with a rotary cutter or scissors and rulers
• Pinning to sew pieces together
• Sewing a straight seam
• Pressing seams
• Trimming and turning corners
• Topstitching a finished seam

Materials List

• 1/6 of a yard (6 inches) of at least 12 fabrics (this can be combined with the first project by increasing the yardage to 1/4 of a yard) This fabric should follow a color or a theme and be simple woven cotton such as quilting fabric – these fabrics can be "fat quarters" if not combined with the first project.
• 1 1/4 yard of the same style of fabric coordinating with the other fabric and to be used for lining and straps
• Thread that matches the overall color scheme

Project 3 – curved bag

This project requires a pattern but it will be provided.

Skills List

• Cutting out pieces using a pattern
• Following pattern instructions
• Pinning curves
• Sewing curved seams
• Clipping and pressing curved seams

Materials List

• 1 yard of main outside fabric
• 1 yard of lining fabric
• ¾  yard of contrast fabric
• Matching thread
• Cardboard – 4 inches by 10 ½ inches
• Decorative pin

Project 4 – curved apron

This project requires a pattern but it will be provided.

Skills List

• Cutting out pieces using a pattern  and using rulers
• Following pattern instructions
• Pinning curves
• Sewing curved seams
• Clipping and pressing curved seams
• Topstitching a pinned seam
• Making a buttonhole
• Sewing on a button

Materials List

• 2/3 yard of large print fabric
• ¾ yard of medium print fabric
• 1 yard of small print fabric
• 2 yards of lining fabric
• Thread to match
• ¾ or 1 inch button

Project 5 – pillows

This project does not require a pattern. The fabric can be the same for both pillows or it can be different.

Skills List

• Cutting out fabric from measurements
• Sewing a regular zipper
• Sewing an invisible zipper

Materials List

• Fabric for front and back of 2 pillows (this can be the same or different. Size is determined by pillow form size.
• 2 pillow forms size determined by student
• Thread to match fabrics
• 1 invisible zipper, size determined by pillow size, match color as close as possible
• 1 regular style zipper, size determined by pillow size, match color as close as possible

Project 6 – pants

This project requires a pattern that the student will choose and purchase. It must be for pants with an elastic waist and have pockets set into the side seams. The pattern can include the next project. The fabric for this project can be coordinated with the next project.

Skills List

• Measuring to choose a pants pattern size
• Adjusting pants patterns to fit prior to layout and cutting
• Fitting pants as you sew
• Sewing and fitting elastic
• Sewing pockets into a seam
• Hemming pants

Materials List

• See pattern for materials and notion needs

Project 7 – shirt

This project requires a pattern that the student will choose and purchase. It must be for a shirt with buttons and short sleeves. It can be included in the previous project. The fabric for this project can be coordinated with the previous project.

Skills List

• Measuring to choose a shirt pattern size
• Adjusting shirt patterns to fit prior to layout and cutting
• Fitting shirts as you sew
• Laying out and sewing multiple buttonholes
• Sewing multiple buttons
• Hemming shirts and sleeves

Materials List

• See pattern for materials and notion needs

Project 8 – lined vest

This project requires a pattern that the student will choose and purchase. It must be for a vest that has lining

Skills List

• Fitting a vest as you sew
• Sewing lining into a garment
• Closing lining

Materials List

• See pattern for materials and notion needs

Project 9 – student’s choice

For this last project the student will choose which direction they would like to go in sewing and discuss the needs with the teacher prior to purchasing any patterns or fabric.