Beginner - The Essential Shirt
Beginner - The Essential Shirt
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Our essential shirt is a great beginner sewing class, introducing you to the world of garment sewing! In this 4 hour class you will learn to sew and make our Topstitch Essential Shirt pattern. (The pattern features a tunic version as well, but in class, we make the shirt.) You'll learn all the basics of sewing, including learning the parts of the sewing machine and how to use them, learn how to wind a bobbin, thread the machine and troubleshoot common issues.
Once you've threaded the machine you'll learn how to cut out your pattern, learn the basics of understanding seam allowance, straight stitching and sewing along curves. We'll provide the pattern and specific instructions and guide you along the way to make a the shirt. It is a casual, boxy pullover and in size XS - 6XL. It is very simple in its design and construction but it can be modified and tweaked in infinite ways once you learn to sew it in its original form.
With no fitting challenges and no fiddly closures, it's a perfect intro project! The pattern and sewing tools included at class.
If you purchase a fabric kit, the fabric is a beautiful linen / rayon blend from Robert Kaufman. Let us know your color selection at checkout!
Choices are: steel blue, natural, dark olive green, charcoal, clay and chartreuse.
You will cut out in class so we will have your fabrics ready for you when you get there.
Skills you will learn:
- How to understand a sewing machine
- Concepts of reading a sewing pattern
- The concept of seam allowance
- How to sew to a particular seam allowance
- How to pin and cut fabric
- How to sew in a straight line and how to sew curves
Skills expected: None, just an open mind!
Materials: We make it easy on you! You can purchase a materials kit for any class. You'll have a choice of fabrics, which you will receive at class. If you prefer to bring your own supplies, see the details below on what you'll need. Scroll down at checkout and choose your kit.
If you don't purchase a materials kit: You'll need 2 yards of pre-washed fabric such as cotton or linen.
Materials provided: The Essential shirt sewing pattern, a sewing machine, coordinating thread, fabric shears, pins, marking tools, measuring tape and an iron.
Max number of people for class: 6
Contact
Hello!
Have questions? Feel free to reach out!
We're located at 2969 E Ponce de Leon, Suite 310, Decatur, GA 30030.
We're open during scheduled class times only.
We don't have a phone number, so email us if you have a question!
Please be sure to explain your question clearly so we know how to help you. :)
Policies
Class policy:
We don't offer refunds on in-person classes, unless we at Topstitch need to cancel a class for an unexpected reason. If you need to miss your class for any reason, if you give 72 hours notice (3 days), you can put your class payment towards the equivalent priced class in the future. We usually only have 4 people in a class so we need as much notice as possible to try to fill your space! You're also welcome to make arrangements to give your class space to a friend if you'd like to.
Please mark your calendar for your in-person class time! You can do that by adding your class to your own calendar. We don't send personal class reminders, but if you add your class to your calendar from our calendar sync option, you'll get a reminder 1 day before! All the info you need for class will be with the class description.
We take every measure to provide a completely safe environment at our studio and in our sewing and craft classes. By signing up for a sewing or craft class, using our studio for open sewing, or for sewing related events, for yourself or your child, you acknowledge that sewing and craft making can involve using a sewing machine, sewing machine needles, hand sewing needles, scissors, irons, pins, rotary cutters and hot glue. You acknowledge all of these machines and tools and supplies involve a risk of injury. You agree to release any liability from Topstitch Studio, LLC, its owner, class instructors and all employees regarding any claims of injury that could arise from your own or your child’s participation in any class or event at Topstitch Studio. You agree to seek medical treatment on your own terms and at your own expense in the event of any injury or illness.
Covid Guidelines:
Our instructors are vaxed and boosted. Currently masks are optional.
Class Time:
Please try to arrive 10 minutes before class! It's really hard to catch people up once we get started.
Kids Classes:
If they class title says KIDS that means it's a kids class, otherwise it's a class for grownups.
Class Level Policy:
Please choose a class appropriate for your level. If you don't know how to use a sewing machine yet, you should choose a beginner sewing class where you learn how to sew in the class.
Class Levels:
Our classes are one of 4 levels:
1 beginner
-no sewing experience expected or required at all
-a sewing machine may as well be an object from outer space
-reading a sewing pattern is like reading Japanese (assuming you don’t know Japanese)
-you’ve never pinned or cut fabric with the intention of sewing it
2 advanced beginner
-you have some sewing experience and have used a sewing machine within the last two years
-you understand the parts of a sewing machine feel pretty comfortable using it
-you know how to thread a sewing machine and wind a bobbin
-you understand how to sew to a particular seam allowance
-you can sew a straight stitch
-you’ve sewn a few craft projects and possibly some simple garments
3 intermediate
-you know how to do all of the advanced beginner skills listed above
-you’ve sewn some craft projects and possibly some advanced beginner garments
-you know how to sew curves and pivot at corners
-you can read a commercial sewing pattern
-you know how to sew darts
-you know how to set sleeves
-you know a few hemming techniques
-you can create a buttonhole
-you’ve sewn pockets
-you know how to sew on a waistband
-you know how to sew on bias binding
4 advanced
-you know how to do all of the intermediate skills listed above
-you know how to insert an invisible zipper
-you know how to use facings and line a garment
-you know how to use interfacings
-you’ve sewn with various types of fabrics
-you can sew collars and cuffs
-you are capable of small fitting adjustments
-you're curious about advanced dressmaking, tailoring and fitting techniques
*Open Sewing Sessions: These are self-guided sessions, intended for you to bring your own sewing project and work on it independently. Open sewing sessions are for some self guided sewing sessions where you can come and hang out and sewcalize too if you'd like. Open sewing isn't the same as getting a private lesson. If you'd like instruction, you can reach out to book a private lesson.