Beginning Sewing Classes
These classes are designed especially for beginners, those returning to sewing and anyone wishing to sharpen their skills. After Basic 101 sewing class you can take any of the basic or intermediate classes.

Basic Sewing 101—Pillow Case
This class introduces beginners to the basics of sewing: using the sewing machine, sewing terms, cutting, marking, pressing and using tools and notions. You will work on a pillow case and learn how to insert piping. Sewing experience is not required.

Taught by Ruth Droll, $ 35.00.
Thursday, June 5, 12         6:00 – 9:00

Placemat Class
Choose three complementary fabrics and create stunning, reversible Sew Fast, Sew Easy placemats. Learn accurate cutting, straight seaming, stitch in the ditch and top-stitching. Okay for beginners.

Taught by Elaine Ellis, $35.00.
Wednesday, August 20, 27         6:00 – 9:00

Runaround Bag, by Lazy Girl Designs
Create this useful little bag in just a few hours using fat quarters and a zipper. Learn the “Sew Easy” Lazy Girl technique for inserting an exposed zipper in this fully lined bag. Okay for beginners with some knowledge of sewing,

Taught by Elaine Ellis, $25.00. 
Thursday, July 17         10:00 – 2:00
Tuesday, July 22         5:00 – 9:00

Apron Class
Need to brush up or learn a few more basic sewing skills? Join this apron class and learn: how to read and lay out a pattern, two ways to gather fabric, narrow hemming, pocket making and attaching a waistband and ties. At the end of class you wil have a cute, two colored apron for yourself or for a gift. Okay for beginners.

Taught by Elaine Ellis, $35.00.
Wednesday, June 25, July 2         6:00 – 9:00

Square Pillow with Piping
Did you ever wonder how to sew that piping accent into a seam to make a pretty pillow? Join this class to learn how to make and insert piping into a square pillow and how to close the back with either velcro or buttons and buttonholes. Pillows make nice gifts.

Taught by Elaine Ellis, $ 25.00, pattern included in class fee.
Wednesday, July 16         5:00 – 9:00

Charming Tote Bag
Would you like to learn new (or brush up) on basic sewing skills? Join this class to learn how to gather and insert a ruffle, how to create 3 styles of pockets, how to create and insert straps, how to box corners. and how to line a bag. Tote bags make great gifts.

Taught by Elaine Ellis, $ 30.00, pattern included in class fee.
Wednesday, July 31, August 6            6:00 – 9:00

Faux Chanel Style Jacket
Learn many of the couture techniques used to make Chanel Jackets, a wonderfully fitted cardigan style jacket with the classic braid trim around the edges. The lining is quilted to the fashion fabric, a three piece sleeve is inserted by hand, and a gold chain is inserted at the hem to weight the hem. Not for the faint of heart, this can involve over 100 hours of work, but the results are spectacular.

Taught by Judy Gross, $200.00.
Friday, May 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20         10:00 – 2:00

The Little Black Dress
Make a Little Black Dress using many classic couture-sewing techniques. In this class you will start with a muslin mock up of your dress, have it fitted and turn it into your pattern. Learn the proper use of underlining, and how they can benefit your dressmaking, and many of the classic hand stitches.

Taught by Judy Gross, $150.00.
Tuesday May 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24         10:00 – 1:00

Pattern Fitting with a Sloper
Have you ever sewn a garment from a commercial pattern and it didn’t fit you? Learn why. Commercial patterns are drafted to fit the average person with a classic figure, very few of us fit that description. In this class you will learn how to draft a sloper (basic torso shaped pattern) based on your personal measurements. You will learn how to use this sloper to evaluate and adjust commercial patterns to fit your unique body. In addition you will learn how to fix those pesky darts that never seem to fit right. No prior pattern drafting skills needed.

Taught by Judy Gross, $65.00.
Thursday, May 15, 22, 29         5:00 – 9:00
Saturday, June 7, 14, 21         10:00 –2:00

Embellished Tiki or Flamingo Jacket
Create a beautiful wearable art piece that would be great for a fun night out or a cruise. This fun-to-do project is easily appliquéd with metallic thread, decorative trims, beads, fringe, netting and other embellishments.

Taught by Mary Jo Thibodeaux, $40.00.
Wednesday, May 21, 28         10:00 – 2:00

Twist Top
The “Twist Top” is a very flattering style for women of all shapes and sizes. Learn to make this top out of the new wonderful travel knit fabrics. Add a decorative ring to the front or learn how to alter the pattern to make it even more versatile. This knit top can be made completely on the serger if you have a cover stitch, or use both a sewing machine and serger. It is also possible to make it entirely on a sewing machine.

Taught by Judy Gross $75.00
Tuesday, May 13         10:00 – 4:00
Saturday, May 24         10:00 – 4:00

How to Make a Muslin
Learn the why, what, when, where, and how of making a muslin. In this 12-hour class, you will learn all there is about making muslins and how to use this as a fitting tool and to improve your sewing. The class will start with a basic princess line dress pattern. Then, you will learn all the steps, from preparing your pattern tissue to marking the muslin, cutting it out, and sewing it up. The instructor will personally fit each student, while the rest of the class observes how this technique is done. You will then learn how to make the necessary changes to your pattern so that your dress will fit YOU perfectly.

Taught by Judy Gross $100.00
Wednesday, June 4, 11         10:00 – 4:00

Tommy Bahama Look-Alike Shirt (Islander Sewing Systems™)
Aloha! Join Barbara Cruse in making this Islander shirt. We will make “view A”, camp style. This shirt is wonderful for weather as a relaxed or up-scale island look; comfortable and fashionable. Using the Islander Sewing Systems Method makes this quick and easy. Barbara will also share a few quick tips of her own!

Taught by Barbara Cruse, $45.00 + kit fee $19.00.
Thursday May 22, 29         10:00 – 12:00 & 10:00 – 4:00
Saturday May 24, 31         10:00 – 12:00 & 10:00 – 4:00

Industrial Shortcuts (Islander Sewing Systems™)
Come and learn the secrets of professional industry sewers. The Islanders Sewing System™ is designed from the sewing industry for home sewers. Whether you make garments or are a quilter, these techniques will greatly help you. We’ll cover many techniques including: simple and accurate marking; sewing pinlessly with perfect results; matching intersections and fabric patterns, stripes, plaids, etc.; getting zippers in correctly the 1st time without basting or pinning; finishing waistbands, cuffs, collars, etc. without pokies; beautiful mitered bindings; and many more time saving techniques with better results. Its fast, it's fabulous, IT'S FINISHED!!!

Taught by Barbara Cruse, $ 60.00 + kit fee $7.00.
Thursday May 8, 15         10:00 – 1:00

Pants Drafting I – Islander System
In this class you will design a pair of pants to fit you! Barbara will show you how to take detailed measurements for a great fit. The pattern we will draft is a fitted pant with darts. This is used as a flat pattern. Then you will make a muslin. And finally we will fine tune your pattern. Fourth class will cover techniques for professional results.

Taught by Barbara Cruse, $80.00.
Friday, August 1, 8, 15, & 22         10:00 – 1:00

Easy Zippers - Islander Sewing Systems ™
Put the ZIP in zippers with these fast and easy methods to inset any machine stitched zipper. Barbara, a certified Islander Sewing Systems instructor, will take you step-by step through inserting 5 different zipper techniques, all without pins or basting!

Taught by Barbara Cruse, $ 30 + Kit fee $7.00 (kit includes fabric and zippers). Wednesday, June 18         10:00 – 3:00

Decorating your Home Using Professional Designer Techniques
Bed Coverings
Join Judith Mchenry as she demonstrates how to use professional designer techniques o measure and make bedspreads, comforters, duvets and bed skirts. This is the first of four lecture/demo classes on decorating your home.

Taught by Judith McHenry, $15.00.
Monday, June 30         12:00 – 4:00 OR 5:00 – 9:00

Table Coverings
This will be a lecture/demo class on how to measure a table for a round or square covering. I will also demo many other designer techniques for your table coverings including single and double welt cording, etc… This is the second of four lecture/demo classes on decorating your home.

Taught by Judith McHenry, $15.00.
Monday, July 14         12:00 – 4:00 OR 5:00 – 9:00

Window Dressings
In this lecture/demo class, I will show you how to measure your windows along with designer sewing techniques. I will include several different styles of drapes, curtains, balances, and roman shades.

Taught by Judith McHenry, $15.00.
Monday, July 28         12:00 – 4:00 OR 5:00 – 9:00

Pillows Plus
This lecture/demo will include professional designer techniques to make throw pillows of many different styles, as well as traditional and European-style shams. I will demo how to measure, sew in zippers and add trim.

Taught by Judith McHenry, $15.00.
Monday, August 4         12:00 – 4:00 OR 5:00 – 9:00