sewing lessons

I am a knowledgeable seamstress with an advanced diploma in Fashion Design. I have been professionally sewing for 13 years, however I have been sewing and creating my whole life. I would like to share my knowledge with others by offering sewing lessons.

Sewing lessons are available for all ages and skill levels! Lessons take place in my Waterloo home (pet & smoke free) and are $30/hour (there may be some additional cost depending on the lesson type if materials are supplied). Availability of lessons ranges weekdays between 9:30am-6pm, please email me to set up your appointment.

Students are required to bring the following to each lesson; your own sewing machine, manual (if you have it), all the power cords and any accessories that may have come with your sewing machine. You may also want to bring other basic tools to the lesson like fabric scissors, pins or thread but it is not a requirement, I will have some available for you to use.

Types of lessons:

Learn To Use Your Sewing Machine - A beginner friendly walk through to learn how to operate your sewing machine. I will sit down with you and teach you how to properly use your machine and all that it offers. Learn how to properly thread your sewing machine, what all the buttons and dials do, how to use all the different stitches and basic machine maintenance. Test fabric will be provided for this lesson with no extra cost. This is a 1 hour lesson. Cost- $30.00

Beginner Basics- Samples
In these lessons you will walk away with a sample library of basic sewing techniques that you can refer back to when you are sewing on your own. Students must know how to use their sewing machine to take these lessons.

Just The Basics- This lesson is perfect for the person who is just getting into sewing and would like to try a little bit of everything without getting into anything to technical. You will learn 10 sewing techniques; plain seam, matched seams, edge stitch, top stitch, Faux serger seam, French seam, double fold hem, gathers, inward outward curve & point, and button & button hole. There will be an additional $5 fee to this lesson to cover the cost of provided fabric. This is a 2 hour lesson that can be separated into 2 sessions or taken in one sitting.

Level 1- This set of lessons is still for a beginner but someone who wants to learn more then just the basics. These sewing techniques will progressively get more advanced. In level 1 you will make 13 samples. It starts with 5 basic sewing techniques; plain stitch, baste stitch, match seams, edge stitch and top stitch. Then we will move onto 5 types of seam finishes; pinked seams, faux serger seam, French seam, flat felled seam and bias bound seam. Then we finish with 3 types of hems; double fold hem, tiny hem, invisible hem. There is an additional $5 fee for fabric that will be provided for this lesson. This is a 2-3 hour lesson that can be broken up into a few sessions or taken in one sitting.
Level 2- After taking level 1 you can move onto level 2 samples which is a group of common techniques that are a little more involved. You will make 9 samples which include; undersitching, gathers, easing, straight dart, waist dart, inward outward curve & point, button & button hole, centered zipper and invisible zipper. There is an additional $10 fee for Fabric and zippers that will be provided for this lesson. This is a 2-3 hour lesson that can be broken up into a few sessions.

**NEW** Sewing Till Sunset Sewing Pattern
Pick a Sewing Till Sunset sewing project that you would like to make in person with me. I will help you every step of the way as you learn new skills & sewing techniques, giving you tips and tricks throughout the process. At the end of the lesson not only will you walk away with a finished item but also a digital copy of the sewing pattern and instructions so that you can make the item again on your own. Students must know how to use their sewing machine to take these lessons. The current projects are listed below. New projects will be released monthly so make sure to check back often. (click on the name of the item to find out more details)

Pillow Case- 1 hour + $5 for the pattern
Throw Pillow- 1 hour + $5 for the pattern
Tote Bag- 2.5 hours + $8 for the pattern
Zippered Pouch- 1.5 hours + $8 for the pattern
Lanyard- 1 hour + $5 for the pattern

Pick A Project Lessons
Some students prefer to learn by making something they are interested in instead of doing samples. In these lessons you can pick something you are interested in making and learn different sewing techniques along the way. We will sit down and make it together from start to finish. The time these lessons take varies based on the project. Lessons are $30.00 per hour and you are required to bring the materials needed for your project (I will provide you a shopping list).

Beginner sewing project- I will give you a list of beginner sewing project to pick from such as; tote bag, pencil case/ makeup bag, pin cushion, pajama pants, elastic waist skirt, face mask, throw pillow, pillow case, apron ext… you pick one that you would like to make. I will send you a list of materials that are needed to make your project for you to bring to the lesson. I will teach you step by step how to make your project of choice . You will learn a variety of sewing techniques along the way. This is a 1-4 hour lesson depending on the project you pick. It can be broken up into a few sessions. Students must know how to use their sewing machine to take this lesson.
Sewing Pattern Walkthrough- You pick a sewing pattern (garment or other) at your skill level and I will help you complete it from start to finish. Learn how to understand, read and follow a online or store bought pattern. This can take 3-6 hours of lessons that can be broken up into a few sessions. Homework may be given to cut out pattern pieces and fabric or other sewing steps along the way as long as you are comfortable doing it on your own. Student must know how to use their machine and basic sewing techniques to take this lesson.

Quilting for Beginners- Learn how to cut and assemble a quilt top, put layers together, machine quilt layers together, and finish off the edges with binding. In this lesson you will create a mini 12"x 12" quilt sample. The techniques you learn can be used to create a larger quilt on your own. There is an additional $10 fee for fabric that will be provided for this lesson. This is a 1-2 hour lesson that can be broken up into a few sessions or taken in one sitting. Student must know how to use their sewing machine and basic sewing techniques to take this lesson.

Alterations- learn how to make alterations to your own clothes to help them fit you better. Learn how to hem pants, take in a top or dress, slim the legs of your pants and more. Bring your pile of alterations and we will work through each piece making the unique alterations they need. Starting with pinning and fitting we will go through each step in the process. After this lesson you will have the confidence to make alterations on your own. This lesson can be 1-3 hours that can be broken up into a few sessions depending on how many pieces you have to alter. You must know how to use your sewing machine to take this lesson.

Learn to crochet- A beginner crochet lesson on the basics to get you started. Learn how to hold the hook and yarn, 5 essential stitches (chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, and slip stitch) and how to read a crochet pattern. In this lesson we create a small sample with the 5 stitches you learn and I'll send you home with detailed instructions for each stitch. Yarn and crochet hooks are provided for this lesson but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is a 1 hour lesson. Cost- $30.00

These are the lessons that I am currently offering (more coming soon) but if there is something else you are interested in learning please ask. Lessons can be customized for what you want to learn!

Book sewing lessons!