Teaching

Upcoming Teaching events…

A series of garment sewing classes at the Petoskey Public Library

          Perfect Fit T-shirt – Jan 3 and 10, 2019 {5:15pm – 7pm}

          Learn to use a sewing pattern and alter it to fit your unique body.

          Self-drafted Skirt – Jan 24 and 31, 2019 {5:15pm – 7pm}

          Draft and sew a skirt using your measurements and your sense of style.

          Self-drafted Leggings – February 7 and 28, 2019 {5:15pm – 7pm}

          Building on the skills you learned while drafting your skirt, we’ll develop a pattern for fitted leggings that you’ll love…no more tugging!

Basic sewing skills helpful, if you can confidently thread your sewing machine, we’ll learn the rest. All garments will be made with easy to fit and comfortable, jersey fabric.

Bring your sewing machine and it’s accessories to these classes.   A required materials list will be sent out upon registration.

Please register, as attendance is limited.  Four sewing machines will be available to use during the class for those who do not have their own.   First come, first serve.   Please contact the library to register.

Do you wish you could sew your own clothes, perfectly fitted to your body and style, but it seems too daunting?  Have you always wondered about natural dyes and how to use them?

Let’s slow the process down, learn the construction, work on fit and sew by hand…no machines required. 

In this class we’ll sew a perfectly fitted Tee Shirt, altering the pattern with your unique measurements and style.  Then we’ll learn and practice the hand stitches needed for construction.  At the end of class, we’ll dye our t-shirts using a natural dye bath that we’ve prepared.

All while connecting with one another over the joy of hand work.    All Materials are provided.  You may want to bring your hand sewing kit, but it’s not necessary.  Register on the Tip of the Mitt Fiber Fair website.

Past Teaching Events

Is your sewing machine sitting in the back of a closet gathering dust? 
Do you wish you remembered how to thread it? 
Do you want to learn to sew?

Bring your sewing machine and all of its accessories (power cord, manual, bobbins, presser feet, needles, etc.) to this 4-hour workshop.  Instructor Tina Bury will show you how to wind the bobbin and thread the machine, talk about the most common issues when using your machine and how to avoid them, and familiarize you with the most useful stitches.

A quick project will be sewn together to get you started. You’ll leave feeling confident that you can sew on your own!

So, you can thread your machine and sew a straight stitch, but what about those others stitches? 
Do you wonder what all those feet are for? 
Do you wish you could install a zipper or sew a button hole? 

Then, come and join us.  We’ll begin where the “Get to Know Your Sewing Machine” left off.  {Didn’t take the first session?  No problem, we ask only that you be able to thread your machine and wind a bobbin.  (Your owner’s manual is a great place to start!)}

Bring your sewing machine and all of its accessories (power cord, manual, bobbins, presser feet, needles, etc.) to this 4 hour workshop.  We will talk about the common presser feet and what they are used for.  We’ll practice a variety of stitches and learn about their purposes.  We’ll discuss the most common issues when using your machine and how to avoid them and how to clean and oil your machine.  We’ll get more familiar with needles, thread and fabric.  We’ll practice stitching, installing a zipper and making a button hole with a project that we’ll make together in class.   When you leave this class, you’ll be ready to sew up some lovely gifts.

Visible mending is a nod to the traditions of prolonging the life of our clothes and our fabrics through the art of caring for them. We’ll learn techniques borrowed from the Japanese – Sashiko stitches and Boro cloth – and our own quilting roots.  Students will begin the class by creating and practice stitching small pouches before beautifying their own garments.  Suitable for all skill levels.

Handsewn pouches

Visible Mending on Jersey

Visible Mending on Blue Jeans

Visible Mending on Blue Jeans

Do you wish you could sew your own clothes, perfectly fitted to your body and style, but it seems too daunting? 

Let’s slow the process down, learn the construction, work on fit and sew by hand…no machines required. 

In this class we’ll sew a perfectly fitted Tee Shirt, altering the pattern with your unique measurements and style.  Then we’ll learn and practice the hand stitches needed for construction.