Intro to Garment Sewing: Shift Dress or Top (1-Day Intensive)

Please note: All class registrations are final; please view our Cancellation Policy and Covid-19 Policy for more information. By registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to abide by these policies. Thank you for supporting our small business!  

Skill level requirement: this is NOT a learn to sew class; you must have sewn in the recent past, and be confident operating a sewing machine independently. See below for more info. If you're a total beginner, check out our Sewing 101 Workshops.

In this 1-day intensive workshop, you'll gain an understanding of sewing from a purchased pattern, AND you'll sew a super-cute dress or top, custom made to fit your body. You'll leave this class with the skills and confidence to tackle more garment sewing on your own. 

You'll learn how to:

• Measure the body accurately to create a perfect fit
• Work from a commercial pattern, including size selection, deciphering instructions, cutting from paper pattern pieces, and more
• Understand garment sewing basics such as proper fabric prep, pinning, cutting, ironing and troubleshooting
• Become familiar with sewing jargon commonly found in commercial patterns
• Cut fabric and assemble a garment the right way
• Sew a button-loop closure
• Sew a hem, create a faced neckline, and more. 

We'll be working with the Stevie pattern by Tilly and the Buttons in this class. 

Skill requirements: 

This is a beginner garment sewing workshop; you do not need to have any experience sewing clothing, but you must have basic machine-sewing skills. Our Sewing 101 class (or equivalent) is a minimum prerequisite for this class. (You can register for one of our upcoming Sewing 101 workshops here.) If you're unsure whether you have enough sewing experience for this class, please send a brief email summarizing your sewing experience to hello@brooklyncraftcompany.com.

Materials:

Materials needed for class are available to be purchased at our shop in person or online as a local pick up order at a 10% student discount. Please note, within 24 hrs of registering for the workshop, you will receive the discount code for the materials needed. The dress/top pattern and materials are not included in registration fee.For the Shift Dress/Top you will need: 

• The Stevie Top and Dress Pattern
• 1.5 - 3 yards (depending on your size) of light to medium-weight woven (non-stretch) fabric; (we recommend Cotton , Cotton Blends, Chambray or Poly-Blend Gingham ) To determine the amount of fabric required please consult the size chart on the back of the sewing pattern after taking your measurements. Note that sewing pattern sizes are not comparable to off the rack. This is an unlined top/dress. When you are choosing fabric, be aware that lighter fabrics can be somewhat shear. Choose accordingly.
• Matching all-purpose Thread
• 1/2 yard of Fusible interfacing
• One 1/2" - 3/4" Button We have many buttons available in-store that are not listed on our website.

*Please note it is always advisable to pre-wash any fabric being used for garment sewing as many fabrics can shrink, especially those containing cotton or linen. To prewash, simply wash and dry the fabric as you would the finished garment. If you buy fabric the day-of class and can't pre-wash (very common for classroom settings!), please keep in mind that finished garments must always be washed cold and line dried to prevent shrinkage.

Class Details

Date & Time: Select above

Location: Brooklyn Craft Company, 165 Greenpoint Avenue (here’s where we’re located)
Cost: $175 includes 6+ hours of instruction, and use of our BERNINA sewing machines. Does NOT include pattern, fabric or other materials-- All required materials will be available for purchase at our shop at a 10% discount. 

All class registrations are final; please view our policy for more information.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Diana Rodgers is a fiber artist and educator who grew up on Long Island and is now based in Bronx, NY.  Since receiving a BFA from The Fashion Institute of Technology, Diana has pursued three creative career paths: fashion designer, manufacturer, and sewing educator. Sewing is the common thread among all three.

Most of her days are spent teaching people of all ages how to sew, but Diana finds time to work on soft sculptures, embroideries, and quilts.  Career highlights include teaching over 1000 people how to use a sewing machine, and selling her products to MoMA Design Store.

Find her work on Instagram @wonderthreads and dianarodgers.com

Hillary O'Dell is a creative Jane-of-All Trades. She flexes her multitude of skills in Art and Design by: styling, teaching lessons in fashion and sewing, creating commissioned pieces from furniture to clothing, and brand identity consulting. You can find this work on instagram @EclecticEdit 

Hillary is the founder and designer for Hilandel, a design label based in New York City, specializing in custom bridal as well as offering a collection of limited-edition ready to wear pieces. Check it out on instagram at @hil.an.del and at hilandel.com 

Special Thanks...

Thank you to BERNINA for furnishing Brooklyn Craft Company's sewing machines. Visit BERNINA online at WeAllSew.com.