Katy Patzel
Activewear Instructor
I'm so excited to introduce you to the amazing world of spandex and expand your sewing skills into a whole new category of garments—activewear!
Class Description
Anyone can sew their own clothes! It just takes a little imagination, some instruction, and practice.
Learn how to sew your own workout wardrobe in our How to Sew Activewear Sewing Intensive. Students learn key properties of activewear, how to select and work with performance fabrics, and how to make style modifications to totally customize your gym looks.
In this class, students sew 3 garments including a sports bra, workout leggings (or bike shorts), and jogger pants (or gym shorts). After class, students should feel confident to continue their activewear sewing journey at home.
As part of our Learn to Sew classes, sewing instruction is taught with an emphasis on key industry skills and techniques to create garments that look well-made. All of our sewing, fitting, and patternmaking classes are both fun and productive, instead of just one or the other. We encourage anyone who is interested in sewing clothes to join us for our sewing classes, whether you are strictly a hobbyist or interested in learning clothing construction skills to bring your original fashion designs to life.
Our How to Sew Activewear Sewing Intensive is like taking a 2-day sewing vacation, and we’ve taught wonderful students who have visited us from all over the world. We invite you to spend two days working with us in our inspiring and friendly studio. After this class you’ll start your week with lots of excitement to continue your sewing adventures at home!
Classwork includes...
- How to choose sewing patterns, fabrics, and notions appropriate for activewear.
- How to how to cut and how to mark activewear fabrics
- How to handle and sew activewear fabrics on a sewing machine.
- How to install elastics.
- The techniques learned in this class also apply to sewing other kinds of stretch fabrics like swimwear and lingerie.
Tuition includes...
- Lunch and treats both days.
- 3 sewing patterns (sports bra, workout leggings/bike shorts, and jogger pants/gym shorts patterns).
- Handouts and other supporting materials.
- Use of studio equipment and tools.
If you prefer to work on your own sewing machine, you are welcome to bring it.
Due to the unique nature of this course, an optional supply kit with specialty fabrics and notions is available for students to purchase. Students who do not purchase our supply kit are responsible for providing their own supplies for class. Supply lists are emailed to enrolled students about two weeks before each class date.
Skills needed to take this class include...
- Experience setting up, operating, and troubleshooting sewing machines.
- Experience sewing straight seams. Experience sewing curved seams is helpful.
- A general understanding of sewing patterns.
This class is designed for a confident beginner level sewist and above.
Are you an absolute beginner who is interested in taking this class? We’d love to have you! Please email us at hello @ workroomsocial.com for more information on how you can take this class.
Please be sure to read our Terms and Conditions before you register for class.
Our Expertise and Approach
At Workroom Social, we teach adults how to sew clothes that fit their individual styles and unique body shapes and sizes.
We create a supportive and non-competitive environment in all of our classes. Perfection is never our goal in the classroom. Students should expect that their skills will improve with practice over time.
Our team of professional designers and sewists make garment sewing approachable, and it’s our goal to provide students with the confidence and knowledge they need to continue practicing sewing at home.
Our Belief in the Power of Sewing
Through sewing we build communities, stimulate creativity, and help improve women’s self-esteem and confidence by empowering them to sew the clothes they want to wear.
We work hard every day to promote a sense of accomplishment in our students and customers by reminding them of their abilities. Together we learn from each #sewingfail and celebrate every #sewingwin, no matter how small.
We use our shared passion for sewing to connect with those we might not meet otherwise, and we create opportunities for our students to develop relationships that go far beyond sewing itself.
About the Instructor
After working around the world in biomedical laboratories with a doctorate in biochemistry, Katy Patzel decided to develop her interests in patternmaking, fit, and construction by pursuing a second career in the fashion industry. She then completed the Fashion Design program at Parsons School of Design, and has interned at various designer and luxury brands. Katy now works as a patternmaker in New York RTW for both men and women. You can see her most recent work on Instagram.