Sewing lessons

I have been busy creating and refining my sewing lessons, which have become quite popular! (Hence my not posting regularly.)

So much so that I have been expanding my sewing lesson topics to include App sessions which focus on just one skill.

I have found that one-on-one classes are best, as the private lessons allow for flexibility in what we cover during the class.

Probably most importantly, though, is that my ladies work at their own pace - no waiting for others to catch up, or feeling guilty because they are slowing others down.

Generally, the lessons are two hours long.

This is enough time to cover the lesson content, work on samples, ask questions, and still be keen to sew when we've finished.

Of course, it also allows for sips of tea whilst we are sewing!

I post new sessions and their availability on Gumtree each week. 

Below is a list of my current sewing lessons, and what is covered in each.

Even if you are not able to attend a lesson, you could use the list as inspiration for teaching yourself a new set of sewing skills.

Three week beginner sewing classes

Week 1:

*   become familiar with your sewing machine – change needles, feet, and all controls

*   how to sew – hand placement, where to watch, sewing straight lines

*   seams

*   sew a simple gathered skirt (supply your own fabric)

Week 2:

*   hems

*   facings

*   buttons and button holes

Week 3:

*   zippers

*   commercial patterns

Buttonhole workshop

In this sewing class you will learn:

*   horizontal buttonholes

*   vertical buttonholes

*   corded buttonholes

*   buttonholes using the automatic buttonhole foot (where you pop your button into the slider)

*   shanked buttons hand sewn

*   flat buttons hand sewn

*   flat buttons machine sewn

How to use a commercial sewing pattern

Learn about commercial sewing patterns:

*   choosing the correct pattern size

*   pattern books or online lookbooks

*   pattern envelopes

*   pattern piece numbering

*   layout

*   marking transfer

*   cutting

*   sewing / construction instructions

Fasteners workshop 

In this sewing class you will learn:

*   lapped zipper

*   buttonholes

*   hooks and eyes

*   press studs

*   snap tape

Hems workshop

Learn to sew the following hems:

*   machine rolled hem

*   Hong Kong finish (with bias tape)

*   lace finish

*   machine blind stitch

*   machine straight stitch

*   twin needle

*   invisible hand stitch

*   lengthen and shorten skirts or pants

Name everything ready for school

You’ll also learn from a librarian how to cover books like an expert – no need for your child to cringe when they take out their books.

Bring along your

*   name tags and school clothes – name tags can be sewn in by hand or machine.

** order your sew in name tags (Cash’s and Name It are very good)

*   calculators, rulers, etc.  for engraving

*   books for covering (along with the paper or Contact for covering)

*   books for name stamping

**  order your self-inking name stamps (Stamp It in Victoria Park are very good)

Secret sewing stuff for men

Learn how to:

*   sew on a button

*   re-stitch a shirt pocket where the top corners have pulled away from the shirt, or pens have made a hole in the stitching at the bottom of the pocket

*   re-stitch a busted seam on a shirt or trousers

*   patch a trouser pocket that is worn through from coins or your ‘phone

*   hem the leg of your trousers

Sewing for your daughter – 3 session beginner class

You will learn to sew making simple clothes:

*   a skirt with an elastic waist (class 1)

*   a ruffle top (class 2)

*   a pair of shorts with elastic waist (class 3)

Sewing Lessons

2 hour long private sewing lessons.

From the absolute beginner to advanced techniques - seams, hems, zippers, how to use a commercial pattern, babies' clothes to adults'. 

Sew for a day - one day intensive session

In the day-long one-on-one private sewing lesson, you’ll learn to sew seams, hems, zippers, button holes, gathers, and how to use a commercial pattern.

If you can already sew and have a wish list of new skills you'd like to learn, we can work through these in the day.

Do you have a sewing pattern you'd like to make but don't know where to start, or has it has become too tricky? Bring it along and we can create your garment in the day.

Sewing repairs with Get Set, Sew!

Bring your sewing machine along to this sewing class and learn how to:

*   re-stitch a shirt pocket where the top corners have pulled away from the shirt, or pens have made a hole in the stitching at the bottom of the pocket

*   repair the base of a trouser pocket

*   take up hems (shorten leg or skirt or use bias tape to lengthen)

*   repair crotch and side seams of shorts, trousers, top or dress

*   tighten loose buttonholes

Sewing repairs by hand with Get Set Sew!
Come to this one-on-one sewing class and learn how to:

*   sew on a button

*   tighten a loose buttonhole that always comes undone

*   re-stitch a shirt pocket where the top corners have pulled away from the shirt, or pens have made a hole in the stitching at the bottom of the pocket

*   re-stitch a busted seam on a shirt, trousers, or skirt

*   patch a trouser pocket that is worn through from coins or your ‘phone

*   hem the leg of your trousers, shorts, skirt or dress 

Zipper workshop

Learn to insert:

*   lapped zipper

*   centred zipper

*   invisible zipper

Sewing Lessons - let's make a skirt a day!

A Skirt A Day

If you have mastered sewing straight seams, being sure to keep a 1.5cm seam allowance, try making a different skirt a day.
Start with a simple gathered skirt, then work your way up to a pleated skirt with a waistband, zipper and button closure.








Monday         Make a gathered skirt with an elastic waist in a casing
Tuesday        Make a gathered skirt with overlay and an elastic waist
Wednesday  Make a gathered skirt with a waistband and zipper
Thursday       Make a gathered skirt with wide elastic as a waistband
Friday            Make a pleated skirt with a waistband, zipper and button closure

A Skirt A Day Details

Monday 9am – 12pm

Make a gathered skirt with an elastic waist in a casing!


So you know how much fabric you will need, you’ll first have to take some measurements:
- Waist measurement
- Hip measurement (at widest point – about 10cm below your waist)
- Skirt length from your waist down to where you want the skirt to finish

Materials:
1. 1 cm wide non-roll elastic (this has vertical ridges on it)
     = waist measurement
2. skirt fabric
    = length of skirt + 6cm if 1½ x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
       OR
    = 2 x length of skirt + 12cm if 1½ x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
3. matching thread



Tuesday 9am – 12pm

Make a gathered skirt with overlay and an elastic waist!



So you know how much fabric you will need, you’ll first have to take some measurements:
- Waist measurement
- Hip measurement (at widest point – about 10cm below your waist)
- Skirt length from your waist down to where you want the skirt to finish

Materials:
1. 1 cm wide non-roll elastic (this has vertical ridges on it)
     = waist measurement
2. skirt fabric
    = length of skirt + 6cm if 1½ x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
       OR
    = 2 x length of skirt + 12cm if 1½ x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
3. overskirt fabric
     = length of skirt if 2 x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm) 
        OR
     = 2 x length of skirt if 2 x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
4. matching thread



Wednesday 9am -12pm

Make a gathered skirt with a waistband and zipper!

Practice inserting a lapped zipper in fabric samples before sewing this skirt.
Lapped zippers are the easiest zippers to sew.

So you know how much fabric you will need, you’ll first have to take some measurements:
- Hip measurement (at widest point – about 10cm below your waist)
- Skirt length from your waist down to where you want the skirt to finish

Materials:
1. skirt fabric
    = length of skirt + 16cm if 1½ x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
       OR
    = 2 x length of skirt + 22cm if 1½ x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)

2. matching zipper 20cm – 25cm long
3. matching thread

Thursday 9am -12

Make a gathered skirt with wide elastic as a waistband!

This skirt is a little bit trickier than the earlier skirts, as you will be stretching the elastic as you sew on the skirt, so keeping the 1.5cm seam allowance as you sew your seams is more difficult.

So you know how much fabric you will need, you’ll first have to take some measurements:- Waist measurement
- Hip measurement (at widest point – about 10cm below your waist)
- Skirt length from your waist down to where you want the skirt to finish

Materials:1. 3cm-5cm cm wide flat elastic 
     = waist measurement
2. skirt fabric
    = length of skirt + 4cm if 1½ x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
       OR
    = 2 x length of skirt + 8cm if 1½ x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
3. matching thread


Friday 9am – 12 Make a pleated skirt with a waistband, zipper and button closure !
As well as having a lapped zipper, you will need to be able to sew a button hole.
Choose a button that fits into your automatic buttonhole foot, to make things easier.
The inside of the waistband will be finished by stitching in the ditch.

So you know how much fabric you will need, you’ll first have to take some measurements:
- Hip measurement (at widest point – about 10cm below your waist)
- Skirt length from your waist down to where you want the skirt to finish

Materials:
1. skirt fabric
     = length of skirt + 15cm if 2 x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm) 
        OR
     = 2 x length of skirt + 30cm if 2 x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
2. 15cm – 20cm long zipper
3. matching button 1.5 – 2.5cm diameter
4. matching thread

Email getsetsew@gmail.com to book any or all of these sewing classes, which are held in Perth, Western Australia.

Sewing class: Skirt making sewing lessons – 3 skirts in 3 hours

Sewing class: Skirt making sewing lessons – 3 skirts in 3 hours 

Classes for people who can sew with a little confidence.

Learn how to make quick and simple girls' skirts with elasticized waists.

You will learn to sew:
* a gathered skirt with elastic casing at the waist
* a gathered skirt with wide elastic as a waistband
* a circle skirt with elasticized waist

Materials needed to make the skirts:

First, you will need to get your measurements:
- Waist measurement
- Hip measurement (at widest point – about 20cm below waist)
- Skirt length

Materials:
* gathered skirt with elastic casing at the waist
1. 1cm wide non-roll elastic (this has vertical ridges on it)
      = waist measurement
 2. skirt fabric
      = length of skirt + 6cm if 1 1/2 x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
       OR
     = 2 x length of skirt + 12cm if 1 1/2 x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
3. matching thread


* gathered skirt with wide elastic as a waistband
1. 3cm – 5cm wide elastic
    = waist measurement + 3cm
2. skirt fabric
     = length of skirt + 4cm if 1 1/2 x hip measurement is less than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
OR
    = 2 x length of skirt + 8cm if 1 1/2 x hip measurement is greater than width of fabric (90cm or 115cm)
3. matching thread

* circle skirt with elasticized waist
1. 3cm – 5cm wide elastic
    = waist measurement + 3cm
2. skirt fabric
    = length of skirt + 20cm if sewing for a child
       OR
    = length of skirt + 10cm + radius – see calculation in example
3. matching thread


Equipment:

For you sewing lesson, you will also need to bring along the following equipment:
* sewing machine (and instruction book)
* spare sewing machine needles (in case one bends or breaks)
* fabric cutting scissors
* thread cutting scissors
* sewing gauge
* pins
* safety pin