Specialty Workshops

Specialized design and sewing workshops to help you create seasonal items, costumes, key fashion pieces, and personalized gifts.  Include “Project Kits” that provide all the materials you need.  Also, don't miss our camps for kids during school breaks at Thanksgiving, Winter break, Spring break and Summer. 

August Workshop Schedule Summary:

8/23   Sat 9:30am      Sewing Basics
8/30   Sat 9:30am      201 Sewing Skills
9/3     Wed 9:30am    Embroidery 101
9/4     Thu 10am        Home Decor Pillows - Piping [continues 9/11 Thu 10am]
9/17   Wed 10:30am   Alterations 101
9/18   Thu 10am        Home Decor Pillows - Flange [continues 9/25 Thu 10am]

Embroidery 101 Workshop
 
 

Embroidery 101.  Learn how to use the computerized embroidery machine to add great designs to your projects - from monograms to sophisticated designs.  After completing this course you will be able to use the studio's embroidery equipment during open studio time.
Dates/Times:
    Wednesday, Sept 3rd, 9:30am-12pm
Price: $75 includes one embroidery stitch-out and a supply set for future projects.

Sewing Basics Workshop
This hands-on fast track workshop covers the basics of operating the sewing machine for those who wish to get some of the 101 level skills, but do not have time to take the full course and create the projects.  This is a perfect refresher course for someone with a new sewing machine, those who have not been sewing recently, or for anyone who wants to jump into a higher level workshop, class, or camp that has sewnow! 101 or equivalent as a prerequisite. 
Dates/Times:
    Saturday 8/23 9:30am-12:30pm
Price: $55

201 Sewing Skills Workshop
This hands-on fast track workshop covers the bulk of sewing skills learned in the sewnow! 201 Fashion Sewing Basics course - but without the design component or making the sleepwear project.  It's designed for graduates of sewnow! 101 who want to move on to 301 level classes or camps that have 201 skills as a prerequisite.  Specific skills covered are use of the serger/overlocker machine, and making hems, buttonholes, sewing longer and curved seams.
Dates/Times:
   Saturday 8/30 9:30am-12:00pm
Price: $55

Serger Basics Workshop
This workshop covers the basics of using the serger/overlocker.  Learn to thread the studio's Brother serger and beginner serger techniques for knits.  A basic T-shirt will be assembled during the workshop.  Students will create samples of each technique - assembling seams, applying rib-knit trim, and stabilizing shoulder seams.  The workshop includes a coupon for 2 hours of Open Studio time to allow you to work on a personal project of your choice.  
Dates/Times:
    September dates TBD
Price: $85

Alteration 101 Workshop
Alteration 101.  Save money at the Dry Cleaners by learning how to hem pants and shorten sleeves!  You will alter a piece of your own clothing during this workshop. After completing this workshop you will be able to measure, mark, and complete your own basic alterations.   Prerequisite: Assumes you have basic sewing machine skills. 
Dates/Times:
    Wednesday, Sept 17th, 10:30am-12:00pm
Price: $60 includes a voucher for 2 hours of Open Studio Time.

Home Decor Pillows - Piping
Learn how to make your own embroidered home decor pillows with piping in this two session workshop.  Learn to cut bias strips with rotary cutters, create piping with the zipper foot, and set piping into an envelope back designer cushion.
Prerequisite:  basic sewing machine skills, or Sewing Basics Workshop. 
Dates/Times:
    Thursday, Sept 4th 10am-12pm, continuing Thursday Sept 11th, 10am-12pm
Price: $115

Home Decor Pillows - Flange
Learn how to make your own embroidered home decor pillows with a flange in this two session workshop.  Learn to cut bias strips with rotary cutters, create piping with the zipper foot, and set piping into an envelope back designer cushion.
Prerequisite:  basic sewing machine skills, or Sewing Basics Workshop. 
Dates/Times:
    Thursday, Sept 18th 10am-12pm, continuing Thursday Sept 25th, 10am-12pm
Price: $115

Embroidered Jeans Workshop
Create a one-of-a-kind pair of embroidered designer jeans.  Bring in an existing pair of jeans and work with the sewnow! design staff to create a unique personalized design that incorporates embroidery, felting, crystals, nailheads and more.  Includes instruction, design assistance, a large embroidery stitch-out, and all notions.  Also includes a one hour voucher for Open Studio Time to return to the studio, pick up the completed jeans, close up the seams, and add more embellishment if desired.

   
Dates/Times:
    September dates TBD
Price: $75

Recent Completed Workshops:

Mother's Day "Secret Special Gift" Workshop
Create a special and unique gift for your mom for Mother's Day.  Great for boys and girls.  We created the perfect personalized gift item that mom will absolutely love and cherish - but had to leave out the description until after the workshops were over - so it could remain a surprise.  The Secret Gift was a custom designed pillow with an embroidered message and a portrait photo.

Photo Pillow Project Kit
Project kits to make your own Photo Pillow are available in the Studio - please allow 3 days turnaround time for the photo transfer and embroidery preparation.  Kit, including portrait, photo transfer, fabrics and notions, embroidery service, and pattern - $55

Chiton Workshop for Stanley Greek Festival
Come to sewnow! as your one-stop-shop to create your Chiton for the Stanley Greek Festival.  Take our complete Chiton Workshop, or buy the Chiton Project Kit to make your chiton at home (see below).  The workshop is 1hr and 45min long and Includes a sewing machine lesson and all supplies and instruction to design, make, and embellish an authentic Greek Chiton with belt. Sign up with a friend - boys and girls welcome! Chiton Project Kit
Just the thing if you already know how to sew and want to make your chiton at home or during sewnow! Open Studio Time.  Kit includes everything you need to make your chiton: pre-cut fabric, rope belt, design template of choice, special fabric pen (color of choice), safety pins and instructions.  Requires basic sewing skills.  Price: $20.

Valentine's Fun Workshop
Create an embroidered felt sweetheart banner to decorate your bedroom or door, or create a keepsake valentine card holder. We'll use felt, crystals, and embroidery to make a one-of-a-kind project. Includes all patterns, fabric, embroidery, bling, and 3 hours of instruction.  No previous sewing skills necessary.

Kids Holiday Fun Workshop
Create your own fun gifts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah. Festive Christmas stockings, advent calendars, gift bags, and more.  Get ready for fun with crystals, applique and creative felting!  The three hour workshop includes technique instruction, a Holiday Project Kit, design assistance, and a voucher for 1 hour of Open Studio Time to complete your project.

Adult Holiday Decorating Workshop
Create your own modern decorator heirlooms for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah. Luxurious Christmas stockings, advent calendars, tree skirts, table linens, garlands, and more.  Get ready for fun with Swarovski crystals, metallic threads, and creative felting!  The workshop includes two hours of technique instruction, a Premium Holiday Project Kit, design assistance, and a voucher for 2 hours of Open Studio Time to complete your project.
  

Kids Halloween Workshop
Create a fun Halloween treat bag!  Open to all sewnow! students.  In this 2 hour workshop you will design and create your own unique treat bag for carrying your Halloween goodies. Includes pattern, instruction, all fabric and notions and an embroidered applique patch from our Halloween collection.
 
3D Bats!                                                         Crystals and Glow-in-the-dark threads

Back-to-school Custom Backpack Workshop
Make a big splash when you return to school with a unique fashion backpack that you designed and created - perfect for toting around all your school stuff!  For graduates of sewnow! 101 (or equivalent sewing experience).  This workshop consists of two, half-day sessions - 6 hrs total.  All materials and a medium complexity embroidery are included - choose from a variety of fun colors of designer canvas or durable Cordura.

The August backpack workshops are now completed - we may add more in the future, please let us know if you are interested. 

Boys Learn-to-sew Workshops
Learn how to sew with a focus on boy projects - create cool board shorts, duffel bags, backpacks and more.   Boys learn-to-sew workshops can be arranged for group sizes from two to ten and take 3 hrs or more depending on the project complexity.



Lafayette Juniors: Pillow party for Cancer Patient Pillows

Lafayette Juniors: pillows for Cancer patients