What You'll Learn
The classes in this virtual retreat cover how to…
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measure your body
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use different sewing machine needles
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use basic sewing machine feet including the regular (zigzag) foot, the regular zipper foot, and the ¼" foot
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understand fabric weave and construction
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correctly use fabric grainline
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cut pattern pieces
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mark fabric
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sew seams including straight and curved seams
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ease seams including straight and curved seams
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clip, grade, and press seams
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use fusible interfacing
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sew fundamental stitches including topstitching, understitching, staystitching, and machine baste stitching
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finish raw edges
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print a digital pattern
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sew a dart
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gather fabric
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sew a basic elastic casing
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sew a patch pocket
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sew a double folded hem
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sew a facing
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sew a princess seam
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choose sewing patterns that you can successfully sew using the skills taught in this class
The classes in this virtual retreat don't cover how to…
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fit patterns for your body
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grade sewing patterns
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make fit alterations
Special note about choosing sewing pattern sizes: Due to time restrictions, Christine won't be able to assist individual attendees on choosing their unique sewing pattern sizes. If you'd like help choosing a pattern size, join Jennifer during an open sewing session for assistance. See schedule below.
Schedule
Weekday EditionWednesday, September 21, 2022Class Day 1 12:00–5:00 p.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Pacific) 5:30–7:30 p.m. Eastern (2:30–4:30 p.m. Pacific) Students are split into breakout rooms of 3–5 sewists to create space for better conversation. Jennifer is available to answer questions and help students. Thursday, September 22Class Day 2 12:00–5:00 p.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Pacific) Thursday, September 29, 2022Optional Day 3 12:00–2:00 p.m. (9:00–11:00 a.m. Pacific) Students are split into breakout rooms of 3–5 sewists to create space for better conversation. Jennifer is available to answer questions and help students. Sunday, October 2, 2022Optional Day 4 3:00–5:00 p.m. (12:00–2:00 p.m. Pacific) Students are split into breakout rooms of 3–5 sewists to create space for better conversation. Jennifer is available to answer questions and help students. |
Weekend EditionSaturday, September 24, 2022Class Day 1 12:00–5:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Pacific) 5:30–7:30 p.m. Eastern (2:30–4:30 p.m. Pacific) Students are split into breakout rooms of 3–5 sewists to create space for better conversation. Jennifer is available to answer questions and help students. Sunday, September 25, 2022Class Day 2 12:00–5:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Pacific) Thursday, September 29, 2022Optional Day 3 12:00–2:00 p.m. (9:00–11:00 a.m. Pacific) Students are split into breakout rooms of 3–5 sewists to create space for better conversation. Jennifer is available to answer questions and help students. Sunday, October 2, 2022Optional Day 4 3:00–5:00 p.m. Eastern (12:00–2:00 p.m. Pacific) Students are split into breakout rooms of 3–5 sewists to create space for better conversation. Jennifer is available to answer questions and help students. |
Logistics
This virtual retreat is hosted through SocialSewists.com using the platform Mighty Networks. Online classes and working sessions take place on Zoom. Students need a computer, smart phone, or tablet with internet access to participate. Within 72 hours of registration, students will receive an email with instructions on how to set up their Social Sewists account and access class information. Confirmations are sent to the email address used at checkout.
Online classes are recorded, and students get access to the recordings for the lifetime of the class through Social Sewists. Working sessions are not recorded.
What You Get with Registration
- 2 live class sessions with Christine Haynes
- Recorded playbacks of the 2 class sessions
- 3 live group working sessions moderated by Jennifer Wiese
- Digital sewing pattern pieces for the class exercises
- Opportunities to connect with the other sewists in your virtual retreat
- Access to Social Sewists, Workroom Social's online sewing community
Registration Details
Scroll up to the top of this page to register. Space is limited and this event is likely to sell out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: This is exactly what I'm looking for! How do I register?
Scroll up to the top of this page to register. Space is limited and this event is likely to sell out!
Q: When is this virtual retreat?
We currently have 2 sessions available. You can choose the Weekday Edition or the Weekend Edition.
The Weekday Edition is Wednesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 22, with 2 additional, optional working sessions on Thursday, September 29 and Sunday, October 2.
The Weekend Edition is Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, with 2 additional, optional working sessions on Thursday, September 29 and Sunday, October 2.
Scroll up for a full, detailed schedule.
Q: I can't make these dates, do you know when you'll be hosting the virtual retreat again?
We don't have future dates scheduled at this time. We do hope to run Garment Sewing Fundamentals again in the future. The best way to learn when registration opens is to join Workroom Social's mailing list.
Q: How long will I have access to the classes in this virtual retreat?
Students get access to the recorded classes for the lifetime of the class. That means as long as the platform is available, you'll have access to the recordings.
Q: Are the classes in this virtual retreat live or recorded to watch on-demand?
The classes during the virtual retreat happen live, and we encourage students to attend live to ask questions in real-time and engage with their fellow students. Classes are recorded for those who can't attend live and can be watched on-demand as often as you want. Group working sessions are not recorded and must be attended at their scheduled times.
Q: Who is this virtual retreat designed for?
Garment Sewing Fundamentals is designed for sewists who don't have a cohesive and comprehensive foundation in garment sewing skills. It's designed for both new sewists and active sewists who aren't succeeding in or satisfied with their garment construction skills.
Q: Will this virtual retreat teach me how to sew?
Yes! More specifically, it will teach you how to sew clothing using sewing patterns. It will not teach you how to operate a sewing machine. All students must know how to operate their individual sewing machines.
Q: Will I sew a garment in this virtual retreat?
No, you will not sew a complete garment in Garment Sewing Fundamentals. Students learn the garment sewing skills listed above, and apply this knowledge to sewing sample pieces using sewing patterns developed specifically for the class.
At the end of class, students see how the specific skills are used in different garment sewing patterns. Students are encouraged to choose a sewing pattern to create immediately following class, and they can start work on them in the optional group working sessions that take place after the class sessions end.
Q: Will this class teach me how to make adjustments to my sewing pattern to alter the fit?
No, this class does not cover how to make adjustments to sewing patterns.
Q: Can I find this information on YouTube for free?
You can find some of the information in this class for free online. However, as expert sewists and experts in adult-skills-training, Christine Haynes and Jennifer Wiese developed this virtual retreat to teach sewists a comprehensive foundation for garment sewing. The classes in our virtual retreat are taught in a systematic way so that knowledge builds on itself, setting up our students for sewing success. When you register for this virtual retreat, not only do you receive the class materials, which were specifically developed to teach this topic, you also get help from experts and your fellow students in our online class community. And remember! By registering for this class, you're supporting a small business too.
Q: What if I want a refund on my class registration?
Due to the nature of digital products, Workroom Social does not offer refunds on class and event registrations. All registrations are final sale. You can read more about our Terms, Conditions, and Refunds policy at https://workroomsocial.com/terms.