Question 1

Do I need to learn to sew to become a "Fashion Designer"?

Accepted Answer

While not every situation calls for expert sewing skills, an aspiring designer is almost always better off learning how to sew and how to sew as well as possible at that. You will get a lot farther faster and save yourself a lot of headaches as a clothing, costume, or accessory designer if you understand even just the basics of construction and sewing.

Question 2

How long does it take to learn to sew?

Accepted Answer

That question can be broken into two simpler questions:
How long does it take to learn to use as a Sewing machine?  and How long does it take to build my sewing skills?

You can learn to use a sewing machine in under 2 hours.  That includes turning it on, threading it, winding a bobbin and learning how to choose stitches and other settings.

If you want to sew well you have to practice sewing frequently and over a dedicated period of time.  How long it takes you to build those skills really just depends on you and how much you practice. Like any skill, it is not something most people master overnight, but the more projects you do the more experience you gain. A dedicated sewist who starts as a beginner can reasonably expect to perform at the intermediate level within an 4-8 month period with regular practice and so on.

And if you only sew once in a while that's fine too.  You just may find yourself working your way up from crafts and gifts to actual clothing that fits, over an extended period of time.

Question 3

How do I determine my skill level?

Accepted Answer

Skill Level is a mix of ability, experience, and confidence. In other words the more you sew the better you get, so when determining your skill level start by assessing your experience, and then make judgements about your confidence.

Getting Started- is completely new, no experience and no ability, yet. Needs the bare basics training on how to operate and create with a Home Sewing Machine.

Beginner Fundamentals - is familiar with the basics of Home Sewing Machines and basic approach to beginner sewing projects and is ready to build and improve knowledge and ability.

Experienced/ Skill Building- Has basic sewing experience and feels confident with beginner projects. Wants to expand skills and practice more specialized techniques for use in clothing and costume construction

Advanced/ Specialty- Can follow and sew intermediate commercial sewing patterns and ready to work on bigger, multiple step projects that require a larger investment of time and focus.

Challenging- Proficient home sewists ready to tackle dynamic clothing construction concepts like pattern manipulation and working with a combination of fabrics and sewing techniques to create elaborate projects with optimal results

Question 4

What can a student expect to learn in a typical class?

Accepted Answer

While Specific skills taught, and learned can vary from class to class depending on the project being demonstrated, in general a student will learn the skills needed to create any number of successful projects on a Home Sewing Machine. We offer lessons for a range of skill levels, with a particular focus on clothing, costume, gift, and accessory projects.

Question 5

What ages do you currently teach?

Accepted Answer

Our standard classes and projects are most suitable to students who are 13 years of age and older.
We also offer a few specialty classes for younger students between the ages of 8-12 yrs old, in our" Youth" category.

Question 6

Do I need my own machine to take a sewing class?

Accepted Answer

No. We provide access to a studio sewing machine as part of the Class fee. If you have a home sewing machine you want to bring to class that is fine as well.

Question 7

Can you help me learn to use my machine?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Home sewing machines can vary in function and features, but we can help most students who have a standard model home sewing machine, learn to thread the machine, wind a bobbin, and choose stitches so they can begin using the machine for sewing projects.

If you have a new machine or a machine that is new to you, you are encouraged to bring it to class so that we can help you set it up and start using it, but you should also bring the  owners manuals, in case your machine has a feature that is new or unusual.

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