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An Offering of Sewing Classes
The following list includes all classes currently taught by Janet Dapson, Palmer Pletsch Certified Sewing Instructor and Educational Associate. They range from very basic to advanced and cover a wide range of topics. In any given season, only certain classes are scheduled, but you may request any of the others for private instruction or as a special offereing for your group of 3 or more (see botton of this page for details). The schedule for this season's classes is available for downloading.
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Intro to Sewing (Spring 2008)
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If you have no sewing experience, this introductory session will provide the background information you need to get started. Learn about sewing tools and types of fabric as we discuss fundamental sewing terminology and technique, basic functions of your sewing machine, and how to choose the correct pattern. Completing this class will prepare you for the all-day “Beginning Sewing” class.
[Lecture, 2.5 hours]
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Fit for Real People (Spring 2008)
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Find out how your body shape varies from the sloper from which patterns are designed, then learn how to easily alter any pattern to fit you. In the first class session, you will take one body measurement to determine your true pattern size. You will then make alterations to tissue and fabric using Palmer/Pletsch fitting concepts. The McCall's “Learn-to-Fit” Pattern #2718 is used (included with registration fee), plus a pattern of your choice (which you will bring to class).
[Hands-on, two 6-hour sessions] |
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Beginning Sewing (Spring 2008)
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If you are an inexperienced sewer, or if you have not sewn for years and need to refresh your skills, this class will get you going. Choose an easy skirt or lounge pants pattern provided at class (included with registration fee). Depending upon the style of garment, you will learn skills such as pattern alteration, garment fitting, inserting zippers or elastic, sewing smooth darts, topstitching, applying fusible interfacing, hemming and more.
Those who have little or no sewing experience must take “Intro to Sewing” before “Beginning Sewing”. “Intro to Sewing” also is recommended as a prerequisite for those who have not sewn for a while.
[Hands-on, 6 hours] |
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Pants for Real People (Spring 2008)
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Learn how to alter any commercial pants pattern to fit your body. Discover solutions to fit problems and pick up tips on creating a flattering style. Innovative Palmer/Pletsch concepts of tissue-fitting and Fit-As-You-Sew will be used. You will choose from one of several pants patterns available at class, including flat front or pleated styles (included with registration fee). After making alterations to the basic pattern, you will cut out and fabric-fit your pants.
[Hands-on, two 6-hour sessions]
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Exploratory Sergery (Spring 2008)
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Need help with operating your serger? Use this hands-on session to practice threading, learn basic serging techniques, and adjust tension for various stitches and fabrics. You are encouraged to bring along your questions and problem projects. Be sure to bring your serger & accessories, instruction manual and serger.
[Hands-on, 2 hours] |
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Follow-up Fridays (Spring 2008)
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Need a little additional help with sewing or fitting ? Whether you want to finish a project or start a new one, you are welcome to this session. Bring the supplies you need for your particular project. NOTE: This is only for those who have taken a previous class, who will be working mostly on their own.
[Hands-on, 2.5 hours]
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Easy Shirt or Blouse
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Learn simple fitting concepts and garment construction techniques based on Palmer/Pletsch principles. Brush up on skills such as sewing smooth darts, topstitching, using fusible interfacing and more. Learn about some of the latest notions and timesaving techniques while creating a simple blouse or shirt using a Palmer/Pletsch McCall's pattern (included with registration fee).
[Hands-on, 6 hours]
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Jeans that Fit
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Frustrated with the fit of ready-to-wear jeans? Make your own! McCall's pattern #5142 (included with your registration fee) includes a natural-waist relaxed fit jean, as well as a low-rise slim fitting style. You will use the Palmer/ Pletsch concepts of tissue-fitting and Fit-As- You-Sew to obtain the best fitting jeans ever. On the first day, you will tissue-fit and cut out your jeans, then begin construction. The second session focuses on fabric fitting and sewing.
[Hands-on, two 6-hour sessions] |
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Fitting Solutions
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What is your most aggravating fit problem: baggy seat in your pants; small shoulders; large upper arms; full bust; choking neckline; more than one of these; none of these but something else? Take a three-dimensional approach to understand how to correct a two-dimensional pattern. Learn how to alter patterns to compensate for your body shape and create solutions to those vexing fitting dilemmas.
[Lecture, 1.5 hours] |
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20 Tips To Improve Your Sewing
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Sometimes it's the little things that make the big difference. Drawing from hundreds of topics in more than 30 Palmer/Pletsch
books and DVDs, this seminar focuses on some of the most useful techniques to obtain better sewing results. See how to: get a more flattering fit; select and use interfacing; easily insert zippers and sleeves; prepare fabric; minimize mistakes; and other useful tips.
[Lecture, 1.5 hours] |
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Rediscover Sewing
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If you used to sew, but have been away from it for a while, this is a refresher session to help you get started again. Learn about the latest in fabrics, notions, and timesaving techniques. Determine how to choose the correct size pattern and make simple alterations for a better fit. Pick up tips on easy ways to insert zippers, sew smooth darts that lie flat, choose and apply fusible interfacing, and more. No sewing tools are needed; this is a lecture/slide presentation. Be sure to bring your questions!
[Lecture, 2.5 hours]
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Tailoring Basics (Spring 2008)
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Sharpen your tailoring skills by creating a lined jacket. Modern techniques make tailoring easier and less time-consuming than traditional methods. In the first session, you will alter your pattern for a perfect fit, cut the fabric and prepare jacket pieces. The second and third days will be spent on jacket construction. Learn about types of interfacing, plus where and how to use them; how to make perfect pockets and notched collars; and discover the secret of inserting the lining completely by machine. You will choose a Palmer/Pletsch McCall's pattern to use for your jacket (included with registration fee).
[Hands-on, three 6-hour sessions] |
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Common Alterations (Spring 2008)
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Need to mend a broken zipper, hem your pants, shorten your sleeves, or simply replace a button? Beginners and experienced sewers will see how to make adjustements to garments, whether purchased or made yourself. You will discover easy methods and tips for making alterations. This is a lecture/slide presentation. Bring your questions and a notepad!
[Lecture, 2 hours] |
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Sewing Knits (Spring 2008)
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Working with knit fabrics can be tricky, but it is easy once you learn the proper techniques and use quality fabric. You will have the advantages of both in this class. We will provide an easy T-top pattern (by Great Copy Patterns) along with your choice of one of our knit fabrics. (both included with the registration fee). Take home a classy garment!
[Hands-on, two 6-hour sessions] |
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Welts & Holes (Spring 2008)
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Like the look of welt pockets and bound buttonholes, but have been less than successful in creating them? Do they seem too complicated to even attempt? It is not so difficult to give your garments this couture touch. This hands-on class will show you easy sure-fire methods for making perfect "welts" & "holes" every time!
[Hands-on, 2 hours]
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Private Instruction (Call to arrange)
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Take an hour or all day, Janet will custom-design a session just for you. This is a great opportunity for those who want extensive personalized instruction or who cannot fit a regular class into their busy schedules.
[Format and time to suit you]
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Your Own All-day Class (Call to arrange)
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| Have your own all-day class! Gather 3 to 5 people to take a full day of hands-on instruction. We will work with you to select a mutually convenient date for one of our all-day or multi-day classes (we require a minimum of 30 days' notice). Regular class fees apply. Lunch is included and you will receive a 20% discount off all purchases on the day(s) of class. |
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Let Janet Come to You (Call to arrange)
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Would your sewing group like to schedule seminars or workshops in your area? Let us know what topics are of interest and the time frame desired. Fees will vary depending on the presentation, time involved and travel factors. Further details will be provided upon request.
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Special Programs for Groups (Call to arrange)
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| Let us host your sewing group! Come for a field trip to Fabrications and enjoy a day designed just for you. We can accommodate groups of up to 20 participants in a lecture setting. Depending upon your time frame, you may choose one of two presentations. Here’s how it works: (1) Let us know when you would like to come (we require a minimum of 30 days notice.) We will work with you to select a mutually convenient date. (2) Select your presentation(s): Fit for Real People Lecture, Pants for Real People Lecture, Rediscover Sewing Lecture, or 20 Tips to Improve Your Sewing. Each is about 1.5 hours long. Lunch is on your own. Groups of 6 or more receive 20% off all purchases! There is no charge for this event. Just bring a group of friends for fun and shopping!! |
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Special Sessions by Request
Contact us for details:
info@fabricationsonline.com
269-629-0190
Toll free: 877-629-0190
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