Meet Me in the Study Hall!

You may have have heard that May is Skirt Month here at Sewtropolis, and our first intermediate class in May, is Anna Maria Horner’s adorable Study Hall skirt.

It’s a classic a-line silhouette with box pleats in front and back and a banded hem. The techniques you’ll learn in this intermediate class include inverted box pleats, installing a zipper, and working with two fabrics in one garment. 

featuring Central Park by Kate Spain

As you can see, this skirt is preppy and sassy, ready for knee socks or sandals. I was thrilled at the fit, and the pattern is very straightforward to cut out and construct. You’ll look as smart and accomplished as you’ll feel once it’s completed as well!

One of the things that makes this project intermediate beginner is that it has more seams and pattern pieces to work with than classic beginner projects such as the adorable wrap skirt class that kicks off our month. But the cutting layout on this pattern is easy and sensible, and it’s still beginner sewing, just with a few more construction steps.

Class details

Dates: Thursday, May 5, 6-8p and Thursday, May 12, 6-8p

Cost: $65 plus materials
Materials: Study Hall Skirt pattern, thread, 1.5 yards main fabric, 1 yard contrast fabric, 9” zipper & hook & eye.
Skill level:3/Advanced beginner
Building on the basics, level 3 classes focus on techniques. The level 3 student is comfortable working with minimal instruction and can complete beginner projects independently. Sample level 3 project: A-line skirt.
Instructor: Laura

Call the shop today to register! (612-827-9550)

 

May is the Month of Skirts… why not try a wrap skirt?

We are devoting May’s class schedule to skirts! Circle skirts, pencil skirts, study hall skirts, bias cut skirts, a-line skirts… we’ll have something for each and everyone one of you and we’re kicking off the Month of Skirts on May 4th with the wrap skirt!

Here I am modeling the sample skirt!

[wrap skirt in Tina Given’s Birdcage Quiet in Celery]

This class is a level 2 class – if you’ve mastered winding your bobbin and sewing a straight stitch, this class is for you! Not there yet? No worries, there’s still time to sign up for our intro class Sewing Essentials and learn the basics (here’s our class schedule!)

During the wrap skirt class we’ll be covering a few new concepts such as sewing darts, understitching and sewing a button hole. Come to the class with your fabric pretreated and your pattern pieces cut out and you’ll head home a few hours later with a great new skirt!

This wrap skirt is easy to make and easy to wear – the ties wrap underneath the skirt and tie securely at the side – no uncomfortable sliding down! Also, the overlap is nice and wide, making the skirt easy to wear and not prone to unintentional overlap flapping in the wind! With a simple slight a-line shape, the skirt works well paired with flats for a simple casual look, or add a cardigan and boots and wear it to work!

         

Class details

Date: Wednesday, May 4th, 6 to 9 p.m.

Cost: $50 plus materials

Materials: Kwik Sew 2954, 2 – 3.5 yards of material depending on size, thread

Skill level: 2/Beginner - Once you’ve gotten the hang of using the machine, these classes are the next step. You’ll learn about selecting and using commercial patterns and basic construction techniques. Sample Level 2 project: pajama pants

Instructor: Patty

 

Call the shop today to register! (612-827-9550)

Coming in like a lion–classes next week at Sewtropolis!

Whew! As everyone digs out from the last storm, we’re gearing up for spring with our March classes! Check out these classes – all happening the very first week of March!

March 1st – Perfect Wrap Dress

We’ll kick off the month with the Perfect Wrap dress – perfect for Spring! This super flattering dress is easy to make (no zippers or buttons!) and is as comfy as it is cute. The class is two parts, so make sure to get registered and make it to both sessions. We’ve graded the class as a level 3 – it’s perfect for students who’ve taken Sewing Essentials and one of our level 2 classes (apron? pajama bottoms?) and are looking for the next project. The class is taught by Patty – here she is modeling her version in a lovely double gauze from Echino.

March 2nd – Sewing Essentials

Dying to make the wrap dress, but can’t remember how to wind your bobbin? Sewing Essentials is perfect for you! Half the class is devoted to a full review of the sewing machine including threading, bobbin winding, cleaning and oiling. During the second half of the class we’ll put your new knowledge to practice and make some funky pillowcases that fit a standard size pillow. Great for beginners or those who want to brush up rusty skills. Bring your machine so you’ll know what to do when you get back home, or use one of ours.

March 3rd - Hostess Apron

OK, we’re all about spring, but Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will be here before you know it! Take our Hostess Apron class and get your gifts ready early. Make mom’s from this gorgeous fleur de lis cotton and make dad a barbeque-ready from this woodsy cotton laminate – both fabrics from the Kate Spain Central Park line from Moda. This is a level two class – so if you’ve graduated from Sewing Essentials, you’re ready to tackle the Hostess (or Host) Apron!
  

March 5th – Quillow

At the end of the week we’ll hold the Quillow class… what’s a quillow you ask? Half quilt, half pillow, this level two class is perfect for beginner sewers who’ve taken the Sewing Essentials class and are looking for a fun project to sew for kids. We’ll be using Valori Wells’ Blissful Turnaround pattern.

March 5th – Pincushion of the Month Club

Rrrawr! This month’s pincushion of the month club features lion and lamb pincushions! These simple and adorable pincushions are almost too cute to stick a pin in! Learn how to play with a bit of yarn to make a mane or some wooly fleece and have fun making faces out of buttons! Workshops are open to all levels and last for one hour where we’ll go over the specific techniques for the month’s pincushion. Kits are available for an extra fee with all the materials to make a lion and lamb of your own and your class fee includes two hours of Q&A Studio Time to use anytime during the month of March – the perfect amount of time to make a lion and lamb of your own!

Registration and materials.

Whew! That’s a lot going on in one week! To register, call the shop (612-827-9550) during business hours – Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. In most cases, materials are not included in class fees. We offer a 10% discount on materials purchased at the shop for a class.

See you next week!

New Classes… Home Ec Series in February

The February class schedule is out and we are totally excited! New this month, we’ve split our classes into groups of similar projects – we’re calling them ‘series’ to help new (and experienced) sewists decide which class to take next! Look for the Home Ec series (more below!), Sewing Clothes, Sewing for Fun (accessories and such), Quilts and the Home and Kids and Teens. Later this year watch for Sewing Green – a series of classes featuring upcycling projects, as well as organic and sustainable materials.

The Home Ec Series is a technique-oriented series of classes that includes our popular Sewing Essentials Class. Sewing Essentials is our intro class – learn your way around a sewing machine (if you’ve never used one) or if you’re returning to sewing after a long break and can’t remember how to wind a bobbin, this is the class for you! Students are welcome to bring along sewing machines from home and we’ll help you get the basics down on your machine. Or use one of ours! And, like, most of our classes, you go home at the end of the night with a finished project – a standard sized pillowcase in some of our funky fabrics!


We’re excited to bring two NEW offerings to the Home Ec series in February. On February 12th, we’ll hold The Pattern Reading Workshop. Come to the session with a pattern and fabric for your project and we’ll go over the basics of reading a pattern and get you started on your project (3 hours, $50.)

On February 23rd we’ll kick off a series of fitted-oriented classes with Full Bust Adjustment I. During this class, learn the basics of altering your pattern to get a great fitted shirt! Students will learn about how commercial patterns are drafted, choosing the correct size and making the changes to ensure a great fit. By the end of the class, we’ll have tissue fitted each pattern and students will be ready to head home and work on a muslin (a practice shirt!) In March we’ll offer Full Bust Adjustment II, which will pick up where FBA I leaves off and walk students through ‘reading their muslin’ – assessing the fit and transferring changes back to the paper pattern. (2 hours and initial consultation, $50.)

Hope to see you in the Home Ec Series! Later this week we’ll unveil new classes from our other class series!

To register for a class, stop by the shop or give us a call 612-827-9550.