Upcoming sewing lessons in the San Francisco Bay Area
All classes are held at the Better Living Through Sewing studio in North Oakland @ 40th and Broadway. Exact address will be given upon registration.
Upcoming Sewing Classes
Don’t have a PayPal account? To pay via check, or for any questions, email Better Living Through Sewing or call 510-985-0997.
To get on my email list for notification of specials and upcoming classes, fill out this handy form!
Beginner Level Classes
“Beginner”: You have never touched a sewing machine, or you used one years ago but have forgotten most of what you learned.
The Ins and Outs of Commercial Patterns
Four class series limited to 3 students.
WednesdaysJuly 21-August 11, 6-9 pm
Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Cost: $140 ($150 if you use my machine)
Class description: This class is perfect for total beginners or those needing a brush-up. First, we’ll go over the attachments and tools used in sewing, how to sew a straight seam, backstitch and turn corners, and machine tension and troubleshooting. From there you’ll go on to take your measurements and purchase fabric and a pattern. Then you’ll cut, construct and alter a simple skirt or pair of pants, install a zipper and create a rolled hem. You’ll leave with a completed garment and the skills to make more!
Intro to the Machine
Thursday August 5, 6-9 pm
OR
Sunday August 15, 2-5 pm
OR
Thursday August 19, 10 am-1 pm
OR
Level: Beginner
Cost: $55; $5 extra to rent a machine
Class description: You’ll learn the basics of sewing machine threading, operation, troubleshooting and attachments. We’ll go over the differences in needle and thread types, how to sew a perfectly straight seam and turn corners. You’ll make a basic pillow, and leave with skills to get you started on more projects! Two machines are available for student use for $5 extra.
Copy a Garment
Four Mondays,August 2nd through 23rd, 6-9 pm
Cost: $140 ($150 if you use my machine)
The dress on the left was copied from a vintage slip on the right
Got a favorite garment that’s wearing out or that you want in different colors? Copy it!
In this class we’ll take a garment (pants, jeans, skirt or blouse) and make a pattern from it WITHOUT taking it apart. Bring 2 or 3 simple garments to the class to choose from. You’ll make a pattern from it and go on to cut, sew and finish a new version of the garment in fabric of your choosing.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Classes
Advanced Beginner: You know how to thread your machine, wind a bobbin, sew a straight seam, turn corners, and backstitch.
Intermediate: You have used a pattern to make a garment in the recent past. You know how to do a rolled hem, finish off seam allowances, and may have put in a zipper and/or a button and buttonhole.
Advanced Commercial Patterns: Shirts and Dresses
Wednesdays April 28-May 12 plus May 20th, 6-9pm
Level: Advanced beginner/intermediate
Cost: $140; $150 with machine rental
This class is a great follow-up to Ins and Outs of Commercial Patterns–you don’t have to be an expert to sew a shirt or dress. Take your sewing up a level and learn to make a dress or shirt from a pattern. Collars, cuffs, darts, invisible zippers, facings, front plackets (where the shirt/dress buttons up ), and altering patterns will be covered. Learn to put in a sleeve pain-free! You’ll leave with a cute dress or shirt and skills to make more.
Revamped and Recycled
Sunday May 16, 10 am-1 pm
OR
TuesdayMay 11, 10 am-1 pm
OR
Tuesday May 25, 6-9 pm
Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Cost: $50; $55 if you rent a machine
Class description: Ever wonder what to do with those clothes that no longer fit, are partially worn out, or are just not right for you? in this creative class we’ll take two or more garments and mash them up to make something totally new. Design new sweaters, skirts, and dresses on the fly! Combining garments and creative cutting and finishing will be covered. Bring 2 to 4 garments and your sewing machine and creativity, leave with a new garment (or two)! Two machines are available for student use.
Baby Block Quilt
Four Wednesdays, July 14-August 4, 6-9 pm
Cost: $140, $10 extra to rent a machine
In this beginner quilting class, we’ll create a baby or lap quilt (about 45″ x 45″) using the block (square) technique. Quilt design, piecing, pressing, design, batting, binding and tying will be covered. Make an heirloom quilt for yourself or a loved one and leave with skills to make more! Supply list emailed upon registration.
Monday April 26, 6-9 pm
OR
Sunday May 16th, 10 am-1 pm
Level:Advanced beginner/intermediate
Cost: $55; $5 extra to rent a machine
Got a closet full of clothes you don’t wear because they just don’t fit properly? In this class we’ll go over techniques to take in and let out skirts, dresses, pants and shirts, as well as hemming sleeves, shirts and a basic pants hem. Bring a few garments that don’t fit and we’ll make them more flattering!
Hem Me In!
Monday April 19, 6-8:30 pm
OR
Tuesday May 11, 6:30-9 pm
Cost: $40, $45 with machine
Sick of spending money at the cleaners? Learn to hem in a variety of styles yourself and save big bucks! In this class we’ll cover blind hemming by machine and by hand, rolled and handkerchief hems on the machine, mock cuffs, hem tape, the “original hem” and hemming knits. You’ll leave with a sampler of a variety of hems and a new arsenal of hem techniques.
Special offer! Take “Hem Me In” and “Basic Alterations” together and save $15!
All Level Classes
All levels:
Paper Tape Dress Form Class
Sunday April 25, 2-5:30 pm
Cost: $75 includes materials
All skill levels welcome.
Custom-made dress forms can cost hundreds of dollars, but in this class you’ll collaborate with others to make a paper tape duplicate of yourself at a fraction of the cost. We’ll also make a stand for the dress form from pvc pipe. Bring comfortable shoes and a long t-shirt. Please note: This class involves standing for long periods of time, up to an hour and 15 minutes, while you are wrapped in paper tape. Please sign up only if you are able to do so without problems.
Gift Certificates Available!
Gift the gift of sewing with a certificate for lessons with Better Living Through Sewing. For private lessons just click on the paypal button for 2, 4 or 8 hours of instruction. Or, any of the classes listed below can be given as a gift, just specify that you want a certificate sent to you in the “notes” section when you make your payment.
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