Hand-Sewing Techniques for Garment Sewists
The World’s Easiest Custom-Fit Knit Skirt
Hand-Sewing Techniques for Garment Sewists
From Sew . . . The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge
Class Description:
This relaxing mini-class is for sewists of any level of experience, including very new garment makers who would like to learn the hand-sewing skills so useful in clothing construction. No previous experience with hand sewing is required.
In this class students will learn these essential basic skills:
- How to make a tailor tack to transfer pattern marking to fabric (p.198)
- Two techniques for hemming: the flexible catch stitch and the near invisible slip stitch (p. 202)
- How to insert a zipper by hand (absolutely the easiest way to sew in a zipper) (p. 203)
Students will leave class with a sewn sample of each stitch, including a zipper applied by hand, that they can use for reference when they sew.
This is an excellent bridge class between quilting and sewing and a terrific way to bring new and returning sewists into the classroom. So so many sewists, even those with years of experience in garment making, are not happy with their hand-sewing skills, and these are so easy to teach!
Very much a sit-and-relax class, this workshop can easily be combined with promotional events or with sewing-group meet-ups.
Class Length:
The skills in this class can be taught and practiced in 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Class Supply List:
Supplies are very basic.
• Sew . . . The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge by Barbara Emodi
• 8–10” x 8–10” squares of plain cotton of any color (with the edges serge-finished if possible for durability and to provide a finish to the raw edge for the hemming stitches; alternately one raw edge can be turned and pressed under for hemming)
• Sewing needle and thread
• Short dress-type zipper
• Scissors
• Optional: paper pattern pieces with markings (for teaching the tailor tacks)
Classroom Preparation:
This class can be taught to any size group in any venue. In addition to the supplies listed, the only other requirements are comfortable seating and good lighting.
Class Agenda:
This workshop can be taught entirely from the information listed on pp. 198 and 202–203 of the book, the stitches presented in the order given.
The World’s Easiest Custom-Fit Knit Skirt
From Sew . . . The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge
By Barbara Emodi
Class Description:
This class is a great introduction to sewing with knits for both new and returning sewists. Students will take three basic measurements—waist, hip, and preferred skirt length—and complete a fast-to-sew, custom-fitted, lined, elastic-waist skirt that doesn’t even require hemming.
Any sewist who is comfortable with either a serger or with sewing a simple line of narrow zigzag on a conventional machine can take this class. Note for sewing machine dealers: this is an excellent first garment project for new serger owners.
In this class, student will learn a unique way to make an elegant, lined, elastic-waist skirt and become more comfortable sewing with knit fabrics and with stretch stitches or a serger.
Students really enjoy this class because it teaches a clever technique to make a hemless, lined skirt in less than half a day. Because the actual sewing is so simple, essentially two long seams and an elastic casing with no hemming, any student will be able to successfully create a wearable garment with ease.
Class Length:
This is a single-session workshop of approximately 2 hours.
Class Supply List:
• Any light- to medium-weight knit fabric (students should purchase twice their waist to finished skirt length, plus about 4” extra for the waist casing)
• Sewing machine or serger
• Thread
• Pins
• Scissors
• Waistline length of non-roll elastic approximately 1–1 ½” wide
TIP: In addition to being a great get-to-know-your-machine-or-serger garment-making class, this workshop can also be used to introduce customers to sewing with knit fabrics and with the various knits you may carry in your store.
Classroom Preparation:
Room for individual sewing machine set-up is of course required for each student. Ideally there should be enough cutting room to allow at least two students to cut their fabric at the start of the session. Note: it should not take each student more than fifteen minutes to cut out this patternless project, working from their own measurements.
Class Agenda:
Complete instructions for the cutting and construction of this skirt are provided on pp. 51-52 of Sew . . . The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge.
