Pop-up sewing classes
There are lots of great reasons to sew: you can be uniquely dressed, build a wardrobe of clothes that suit you and fit properly, connect with other lovely people who enjoy making clothes, have the satisfaction of making something with your own hands, appreciate clothes more, be able to mend the things you’ve made…and have the enjoyment of being the best dressed person in the room and saying Thanks, I made it myself.
The format for all classes is that you bring your current project or arrange to learn a new skill, and I am there to fit, guide and advise. I can help you with any aspect of clothing construction, patterns, using a regular machine or overlocker, doing fittings and mastering techniques such as zips. Experienced sewists, teenagers and absolute beginners are welcome!
Sessions
Hi All, the remaining sessions of night classes and daytime pop-up classes have unfortunately been cancelled due to covid-19. If you’d like to be notified when classes resume and receive interesting sewing news, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter.
Venue: Clare Uniting Church, Victoria Road. Parking and entry at rear off Guilford St
Cost: $35 per three hour session. Night classes are $210 for the 6 weeks of three hour sessions.
Please note that full payment is required (via eft) on booking. Payment is non-refundable if you should cancel, however it is transferable to another person, so you can send someone else in your place – we can lend them a machine if required.
To book, just send an email to liz (at) lizhaywood (dot) com (dot) au.
If it’s a catastrophic fire day, the session will be cancelled and a full refund given.
Maximum of 8 people per class
What to bring:
- Your sewing machine with bobbin and bobbin case, foot pedal and cord, instruction book and accessories box with feet attachments. You’ll also need spare machine needles.
- Sewing kit containing scissors (fabric scissors and paper scissors), pins, tape measure, chalk pencil and unpicker.
- Fabric and pattern for your sewing project. Don’t forget matching thread, zips, lining fabric, interfacing, trims and buttons if you require them. If you’re a beginner, avoid fabrics such as velvet, slippery fabrics and large checks. Ask the shop assistant for advice or refer to the pattern.
If you’re in Clare, some places to get patterns from:
- Commercial paper patterns can be bought online or from a fabric shop. The closest Spotlight is at Munno Para.
- Clare Fashion and Fabrics sells sewing books, some of which contain patterns.
- The library also has books which contain sewing patterns.
- Second hand shops sometimes sell paper patterns – try the CVCO in Burton St on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Downloadable PDF patterns can be bought online. There are lots! Sometimes you’ll find free ones. You print them out on A4 paper at home and sticky tape them together. There’s nowhere in Clare to print larger size pattern sheets.
- Patterns by mail order. Take a look at CanDo books in Melbourne.
- Magazines such as Burda (women’s wear) and Ottobre (childrens). These are available by subscription but some Adelaide newsagents sell Burda, as does the excellent newsagency at Riverton.
- Digital magazines such as One Thimble and Seamwork.
- Peppermint magazine has a selection of free patterns in simple styles.
Need a pattern to get started? I have a couple of projects which can be made in a day (2 x 3-hour sessions); one is an A-line skirt and the other is a sleeveless cowl-neck dress. Both have zips. There’s also a pattern for a Dior-inspired vest which takes a little longer to make. All have sample garments to try on.
You can also choose to make any garment from my new book, Zero Waste Sewing. All the samples from the book are available to try on, and some extras in other sizes.
If you want to sew something in particular I might be able to find a pattern or point you in the right direction. Please let me know when you book and I’m happy to help.