Lessons & Workshops
Learn sewing, tailoring and garment design in our apparel-focused classes
Workshops, Courses and Private Lessons
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Beginner Tailoring Course 3WKS
This three-week course of 3 X 2-hour classes is Ideal for sewists who have taken the Tailoring Basics class, or who have done some sewing before. Learn to hem shirts and pants, taper pant legs, shorten sleeves and adjust the size of pants and dresses and repairs!
Bring 1-3 garments from your own closet to each class!All tools and threads are provided for you in class.
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Tailoring Basics 2HR
Learn to use a sewing machine, basic alterations, and garment repairs in this 2HR single class.
Bring 1-3 garments from your wardrobe to for tailoring, repairs or upcycling.Multiple dates/times available.
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Copy Your Favourite Garment 6WKS
This six-week course of 6 X 2-hour classes is Ideal for sewists who have taken the Tailoring Basics class, or who have done some sewing before. Learn to recreate a garment from your closet such as a collared shirt, day dress or pants. This class will teach you to create a pattern, cut fabric and steps for sewing your garment of choice.
Bring 1 garment to replicate, your own fabric and notions!
All tools and threads are provided for you in class.
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Pants From Scratch 7WKS
Learn to pattern, cut, and sew your own pants design according to your measurements. In this 7-week course, students will have guidance on fabric selection, how to cut fabric efficiently and effectively, and how to assemble pants from zipper flies, waist bands, crotch curves, pockets, hems and more.
This class is great for intermediate sewists or those who have taken our Beginner Tailoring Course. -
Block Making Workshop 3WKS
This three-week course of 3 X 2-hour classes teaches students how to map a bodice block according to a set of measurements.
Once bodice blocks are drafted, students cut and sew a mock-up to assess and adjust for fit perfection. Students leave this class with a custom set of blocks for a bodice front and back in both soft paper and hard paper. -
Make Your Own Hoodie 3WKS
Learn to make your own hoodie in this three week 3X 2-hour course!
This class is a sew-along style course where students make the same hoodie with the opportunity for some modifications. Great for beginner/intermediate sewists.
Bring your own fabrics. Patterns, machines, tools, and thread are provided. -
Draping Skills Workshop 3HR
In this 1 X 3-hour workshop, learn beginner draping skills. Discover the successful steps for draping on a mannequin and transferring your designs into a pattern. Learn how to effectively achieve silhouettes, seam positions, balance and design from physical form to pattern paper. Students will leave this class knowing how to creatively drape, then create a pattern from the draping process.
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Private Lessons with Maegan
Individual 1-on-1 lessons with our master tailor Maegan McWade, customized to suit your project needs.
Offered in 1-hour, 2-hour and 3-hour sessions.
Add additional guests and learn along with friends!
Multiple dates/times available.
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Bulk Private Lesson Packages
5, 10, 15 and 20 hour lesson packages for book-as-you-go learning!
Have longer term learning goals or a larger project and want the right guidance?
Find great savings with our lesson packages.
Our private lessons are designed to match your learning style, project requests and your sewing & drafting goals.
Buy now, book later.
Lesson and Workshop details
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Private Sewing and Design Lessons with Maegan McWade
Whether you are an absolute beginner, design student or an experienced designer, Maegan caters each lesson to your specific goals such as,Learning the basics of using a sewing machine. Ex: domestic sewing machine, serger, cover stitch, industrial machine.
Following and understanding commercial patterns.
Block making and pattern drafting.
Fittings, tailoring and alterations for professional such as stylist and costume designers.
Portfolio building and small business consultation
When booking your lesson time, specify what your learning goals are and we will design your lesson to suit.
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Tailoring Basics
2-hour workshop
1 class
Beginner level
# of guests: 4
Overview:
This 2-hour workshop teaches students how to thread and operate a domestic sewing machine. Students will work on 1-3 garments from their own closet, learning to pin, mark, cut, and sew a selection of alteration techniques and repairs. Items and alteration ideas ideal for this class are pants, skirts, shirts, and jackets for hemming, side seam adjustments, sleeve shortening, crotch repairs, and more.Goals:
Students will learn a basic understanding of deconstruction and reconstruction concepts, practice pinning silhouettes in the mirror, prepping garments for adjustments, and furthering their comprehension of garment components, shape adjustments, reassembly, and finishing techniques. Students will use 1 to 3 items from their own wardrobe they wish to tailor. The goal of this class is to leave students feeling empowered and prepared to execute basic alteration types on their own clothes.
Who:
Beginner sewers who have none or some sewing experience, those who are looking to expand their understanding of garment construction.Supplementaries:
Bring your own clothing for hemming, side seam adjustments, and repairs. Thread, tools, and machines are supplied.Syllabus:
Hour 1: Demonstration on how to thread and operate a domestic machine. Work in pairs to pin alteration desires in the mirror. Prep, chalk, and seam rip garments for adjustments.Hour 2: Re-assemble garments with prepared alterations. Receive assistance in executing each step, with tips and tricks for successful sewing.
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Beginner Tailoring 3 Class Series
2-hour workshop
3 class dates
Beginner level
# of guests: 4
Overview:
This weekly 2-hour class series teaches students how to thread and operate a domestic sewing machine. In each class students will work on 1-3 garments from their own closet, learning to pin, mark, cut, and sew a variety of alteration techniques and repairs. Items and alteration ideas ideal for this class are pants, skirts, shirts, and jackets for hemming, side seam adjustments, sleeve shortening, crotch repairs, and more. Each week students will gain confidence and knowledge to progress and execute more advanced tailoring techniques.Goals:
Each week students will work on tailoring adjustments more advanced than the previous class. Building off a basic understanding of deconstruction and reconstruction concepts, students will practice pinning silhouettes in the mirror, prepping garments for adjustments, and furthering their comprehension of garment components, shape adjustments, reassembly, and finishing techniques. Students will use 1 to 2 items from their own wardrobe they wish to tailor. The goal of this class is to leave students feeling empowered and prepared to execute more challenging alteration types and feel confident in creating ways to update and enhance their own wardrobes.
Who:
Beginner sewers who have none or some sewing experience, those who are looking to expand their understanding of garment construction.Supplementaries:
Bring your own clothing for hemming, side seam adjustments, and repairs. Thread, tools, and machines are supplied.Syllabus:
Hour 1: Demonstration or quick reminder of how to thread and operate a domestic machine. Work in pairs to pin alteration desires in the mirror. Prep, chalk, and seam rip garments for adjustments.Hour 2: Re-assemble garments with prepared alterations. Receive assistance in executing each step, with tips and tricks for successful sewing.
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Copy Your Favourite Garment
Six 2-hour workshops (12-hours in total)
Beginner level
# of guests: 4
Overview:
Learn how to pattern, cut, and sew a carbon copy of your favourite garment. Learn clever techniques for copying your clothing without destroying or cutting up the original! This class is great for beginners and intermediate sewers looking for an introduction to pattern drafting and sewing. Students who have not used a sewing machine before are encouraged to take a Tailoring 101 class to prepare for the sewing portion of this workshop. This class is taught using domestic machines.Goals:
Over the course of six 2-hour classes, students will pattern draft and copy their favourite garments, cut out their pattern in new fabric, and sew it together. Ideal garments for this class are non-stretch/ low-stretch pants, shirts, and skirts such as denim, wool trousers, and chinos. We will NOT be covering knit garments in this class.
Students will learn about grain lines, pattern drafting tools and equipment, pattern terminology, cutting and fusing practices, and sewing on a domestic sewing machine.
Who:Beginner to intermediate sewers who have used a sewing machine before AND who want an intro to pattern drafting.
Supplementaries: Students must supply their own fabric and notions. Pattern paper will be provided.
Syllabus:
Class 1:
Students will learn to prep their garments for pattern copying, be introduced to patterning tools and copying techniques and will trace and extract garment info onto pattern paper. They will add seam allowances, and labels, and cut the pattern out in preparation for the next class.Class 2:
Students will continue to finalize their pattern details from class 1, cut fabric out and fuse necessary pieces. Students may begin serging and sewing their garments in this class.
Class 3:
Students will continue to finalize their pattern details from class 1 & 2, cut fabric out and fuse necessary pieces. Students may begin serging and sewing their garments in this class.Class 4:
Students will continue to sew their garments together with guided instruction.
Class 5:
Students will continue to sew their garments together with guided instruction.
Class 6:Students will continue to sew their garments together with guided instruction.
Bulk Lesson Packages
We offer bulk lesson pricing in 5/10/15/20 hour bundles. Designed for creatives who want a longer learning structure! Book all your hours at once or schedule them across days or weeks.
Buy now, save big, and book as you go!