Has anyone taken a sewing class?

[kdibattista]

I have been wanting to take up sewing for a long time. My mom is an amazing sewer and I have always wanted to learn. She bought me a sewing machine for my birthday but trying to find a time when both of us can get together for her to teach me is few and far between. I found a beginner's class right up the road that would be 3 hours once a week for 8 weeks. It seems to be everything I would need to know to get started. Has anyone done something like this... how was it? Worth it?

Thanks!!!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm actually thinking that this will be my new learning activity during the deployment. They offer sewing classes around here but I don't have a machine yet so I'm hoping I don't have to have one to take the class. If I don't take up sewing, I'm thinking knitting since I can sit and worry and having soemthing to do with my hands besides find chocolate

Do they offer more classes after the first one? That sounds like a good amount of instruction. I would say take it. Also, do you have a Y around ya'll? They sometimes offer sewing classes at ours. Have fun.

 

[kdibattista]

I took up crocheting and LOVE it and want to try my hand at knitting as well eventually but I want to sew to make my own handbags. I also want to learn how to make Halloween costumes. I am in awe of my mom who would make us these elaborate costumes...

The closest Y is about 20 minutes away and this place is 5 minutes. They do have several additional project specific classes as well. It's $100 for 8 weeks (24 hours total) so it seems really reasonable price wise to me. This class is an intro that teaches you to read patterns, and get through the basics for garmets, home decorating and quilting. I think I'm gonna do it

 

[linda0706]

I took one a few years ago. It was an adult education thing at our local high school. I LOVED it! It didn't teach anything fancy but I got enough of the basics that I can do easy patterns. I don't attempt anything too complicated, but I can crank out a skirt without any problem.

One year I made aprons for everyone for Christmas. That was fun, matching the materials to the different people/personalities.

 

[kdibattista]

If I can get good enough... they have a sewing machine that comes with Disney embroidery

ETA pictures:

 

[lovemygoofy]

I want one of those really nice machines that you just turn on and thread the needle and it follows the pattern itself. You don't have to guide or keep hitting the accelerator thingy or even be sitting there. That's my kind of sewing.

That sounds like a great price for the classes, Kim. I hope you enjoy it and tell me how you did so I can have enouragement to do it. I want to learn so I can make costumes or just sew on Matt's patches(yeah right )

 

[scarlett873]

Kim...you know...it's scary at how we think so much alike at times!!

My Mom got me a sewing machine a few Christmases ago and has shown me basic, basic, basic stuff, but she lives two hours from me and it's difficult for us to get together for sewing lessons. I've thought about going and taking a sewing class, but I just don't have the time right now...not with school and work. I've made a few things here and there, but I'm not very good at it! I get flustered reading the patterns and directions. They might as well be written in Japanese!

One of these days I'll get around to it...I want to make the elaborate costumes for our kids along with cute outfits! I've already got a collection of fabric going...anytime I find something that I can't live without, I buy 3 yards of it. Mom says that I can pretty much make just about anything for a toddler with 3 yards of fabric!

 

[MushyMushy]

Just make sure it's for true beginners. I took a sewing class once that was supposedly for beginners, but everyone there knew basics already, so the teacher catered it to their needs. I didn't even know the basics, so it was a total waste of money for me.

 

[kdibattista]

Kim...you know...it's scary at how we think so much alike at times!!

My Mom got me a sewing machine a few Christmases ago and has shown me basic, basic, basic stuff, but she lives two hours from me and it's difficult for us to get together for sewing lessons. I've thought about going and taking a sewing class, but I just don't have the time right now...not with school and work. I've made a few things here and there, but I'm not very good at it! I get flustered reading the patterns and directions. They might as well be written in Japanese!

One of these days I'll get around to it...I want to make the elaborate costumes for our kids along with cute outfits! I've already got a collection of fabric going...anytime I find something that I can't live without, I buy 3 yards of it. Mom says that I can pretty much make just about anything for a toddler with 3 yards of fabric!

You know... it's a shame we don't live close to each other!!!!!

 

[Imzadi]

A sewing class can be great, depending on the teacher & what topics are covered. Really check out what projects will be covered in class and if these are the things you want to do.

As someone else mentioned, make sure it really is for beginners for CLOTHING. Will you learn the basics of altering & mending? Will they teach hemming so you can blind hem on a machine? Will they teach how to make items from simple premade patterns so you can later follow a pattern & make stuff on your own?

Or is this a class for embroiderers and quiltmakers? Or a class for beginners for learning how to make your own patternless designs? Those are totally different techniques & emphasis. Does it require a serging machine, an embroidery machine or just your basic sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch?