Open Sewing / Upcycling and Alterations

Returning students and seasoned sewers are welcome on this sociable supported stitching session, where you can either work on your self-directed projects or choose to sew along with our chosen project. Cass will be on hand throughout to help you with your projects, and will assist with taking body measurements, adjusting the flat pattern to fit your specific body shape, seams and seam finishes, sleeves, darts, pockets, pleats and gathers, or whatever other issues you might encounter.

She will also be on hand with valuable techniques and tips for a more sustainable making practice. Our Open Sewing blocks offer the same expert guidance as our taught classes, but with no programmed course structure, letting you work on your own projects. In past terms students have made meaningful patchwork quilts, explored sustainability in sewing, and stitched garments in all shapes and sizes from dungarees to ball gowns!~

Our optional set project this session will be Creative Upcycling and Alterations. Breathe new life into forgotten items and create your own sustainable style by altering and combining old garments to create new ones! Join the up-cycling movement and recycle all those forgotten pieces in your wardrobe. Learn how to customise and personalise any garment in your own style – all you need is some creativity and basic sewing skills. With sustainability in mind as always we’ll also cover a variety of common alterations.

Learn how you can adjust the clothes in your existing wardrobe for a perfect fit, or how to hack your vintage and charity shop finds to suit your figure. Techniques will include strategies for resizing, shortening sleeves, adjusting hemlines on skirts, trousers and dresses, and more!