Level: All skill levels *
Workshop: Thursday, July 11, 2024 - 10:00a-5:00p
Instructor: Lauren Taylor of Lladybird
Cost: $225 | some supplies and lunch included, byo garments to alter/repair

Garment alterations are a fun and empowering way to level up your sewing skills and expand your wardrobe options. Professional tailor Lauren Taylor is here to guide you through the entire process of this essential skill set! Whether you are working with handmade, ready-to-wear, vintage or thrifted clothing - this class will teach you how to see flaws in garments as exciting opportunities for improvement. Students are encouraged to bring a variety of garments, both handmade and ready to wear. Although we may not get through every single piece by the end of class, students can expect to leave with the knowledge and confidence to be able to continue their practice at home.

* Required skill level: This class can accommodate most skill levels, from beginner to professional. For beginner students, it is important that they have a general understanding of clothing construction and the process of assembling a garment (including pressing, maintaining accurate seam allowances, sewing curved and straight seams, finishing seams, etc). They should be comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine, and be able to work independently with minimal instruction.

What students can expect to learn in class:

• Effective seam ripping techniques for a variety of stitches, including straight stitches, serged finishes, and chainstitches

• How to assess a garment’s fit and style, and how to determine what changes need to be made

• How to pin fit a garment and transfer the adjustments in preparation for sewing

  How to take apart a garment, look inside, and determine the best method for executing whatever adjustment needs to be made based on the construction of the original garment

• Basic garment repair

• How to determine whether a garment can successfully be altered or repaired, best practices for using trial-and-error to approach for alterations on existing garments, and how to troubleshoot any problems that may arise

The exact techniques covered in class will depend on the garments that are brought in by students. Don’t know what to bring? Here are some suggestions of topics that can be covered:

• Altering a garment for a better fit

• Making design changes to a garment - shortening or removing sleeves, changing necklines, or collars, adding or removing style ease/volume, adding or removing pockets

• Changing hemlines - topstitched, blind, rolled, using the original hem on jeans

• Garment repairs - holes, split seams, tears, replacing elastic, replacing buttons, replacing broken zippers, adding patches and repairing worn fabric

• Making a garment smaller or bigger

• Repairing or replacing garment lining

• Garments for friends, family members, loved ones, etc

This class is non-refundable, so please confirm your full availability before registering. Because our amazing seamstress is flying in for this weekend intensive, we are unable to refund or transfer credits.