You have zero experience! Taking our Sewing 101 class will get you to the beginner level in just 3 hours!

You have used a sewing machine before but need a refresher on threading the machine. Perhaps the last time you sewed was in your junior high home economics class . You may have some finished projects but you’re not sure about that tension dial thingy and you may need more practice keeping an even seam allowance.

OR…you have taken Sewing 101 or equivalent.

You can sew straight and curved seams while keeping a consistent seam allowance. You can thread your own machine, wind a bobbin, and trouble shoot tension issues (with guidance). You have a basic understanding of different fabric types and have several projects under your belt.

You have taken our 1950s Circle Skirt, or Sewing 102.

You have been sewing for a while and you are comfortable sewing with patterns. You have a general understanding of fabric types and composition (including interfacings and how they are used). You can find the grainline and have a good understanding of pattern markings and notations. You have experience using different presser feet, installing zippers, making button holes, cutting fabric, and matching pattern pieces (although you could learn more techniques for any or all of the above. You may have worked with knits, used a serger/overlock or a cover stitch machine and if not, you are ready to learn! You can confidently walk into one of our garment making classes and not feel overwhelmed. Now you want your projects to look more consistent and professional.

You have taken our Sewing 202, Sewing 203, Overlocking 101, and/or equivalent.

You enjoy making your own clothing and perhaps sometimes make changes to a pattern to tailor it to you! You still read the instructions thoroughly and have successfully attempted tricky sewing maneuvers like plackets or lapels. You are still striving to learn more about perfecting a really great fit, tackling fine finishes, and making your garments look as good on the inside as they do on the outside.

You are infected with the sewing bug! You don’t break a sweat when sewing up baby sized garments with lots of small pattern pieces. When working with beginner & intermediate patterns, you don’t even read through the instructions anymore. You rely on a solid sewing basis and have enough experience to resolve problems by yourself. You still like a great challenge, but sometimes you also just like a nice pattern that you can elaborate on.

You have taken our Introduction to Pattern Drafting

You are addicted! You go shopping just to snap photos of things you want to make or improve upon and you dream about fabric. While you still have to focus when you sew (believe me, we all do!) you do so more quickly and consistently than when you started. You’re interested in learning special techniques and making tailored garments or working with tricky fabrics. You’ve even started making your own patterns or heavily altering and combining elements from other patterns. You like a challenge, but sometimes you also just like a nice pattern that you can elaborate upon.

You have taken our Pattern Cutting Design Fundamentals

You are obsessed and your idea of bliss is spending unlimited hours in a fabric shop selling designer fabric ends. You may even be making your own patterns and will confidently tackle tricky projects (like a tailored jacket and trousers). Whilst you are largely unguided, we still hope to provide you with inspiration and access to patterns you keep coming back to because they make for a versatile wardrobe, some of which you can pump out within an hour or two.

While the skill level expectation is similar for our younger kids and tweens, we want to make sure the projects and patterns used at the intermediate level are age (and size) appropriate before they begin. Feel free to contact us regarding age and skill level.