Specialty Classes

Specialty classes are designed to explore techniques for different types of clothing and are project-oriented sewing classes. Elementary Sewing is a prerequisite for all specialty classes.

Every course runs for several weeks with 3-hour class sessions.

Jacket Making (French Inspired)

This interactive course is designed to help students perfect their construction skills working with wool, wool blend, and tweed fabrics. Special emphasis is placed upon achieving a professional look of a tailored jacket. The course explores inter-construction techniques, making trim, trim application, and making contoured shoulder pads.

Additional prerequisite: Mid-Level and Fine Sewing

Course length: 10 weeks

Corset Making

Students learn the rare and fine art of fashion corset making. This class explores the different facets of making a corset, such as spiral boning, boning placements, eyelets, tipped lacings, bias binding techniques, bias-making tools, and couture-style hand-finishing techniques.

Course length: 8 weeks

Shirt Making

This course teaches students techniques through sample work as well as a finished garment. Sample work includes patch pocket, cuff, placket, band, and collar application. The course explores fit and includes a fabric shopping trip.

Course length: 10 weeks

Dressmaking

This interactive course is designed to help students perfect their construction skills and produce a nice dress. Special emphasis is placed upon achieving a professional look and fit. These skills are taught through a combination of assignments that include minor sample work and finished garments.

Additional prerequisite: Mid-Level Sewing

Course length: 10 weeks

Handbag Making

Students learn handbag sewing techniques such as applique and zipper-secure pockets, loops for handles, applied webbing, topstitching, and applied interfacing. Students choose one to two projects for their skill level and desired handbag. There are 4 styles to choose from, 2 easy and 2 moderate sewing.

Course length: 2 weeks

Introduction to Knits

Students learn through a T-shirt sample project how to sew with two-way stretch knit fabrics. The T-shirt project includes techniques such as using a stretch needle, neckband application, sleeve ease, overlock seams in sequence, pressing, and hemming. Students also learn how to judge stretch by pattern guide and how to judge fit.

Course length: 2 weeks

Lingerie Making

Students learn to make a lingerie garment, either boy-legged pants, camisole, or slip by size, with soft fine knits. Techniques applied are trim application with zigzag, overlock seaming with soft wooly thread, and judging stretch. This is an interactive course where students learn from each other’s projects.

Course length: 2 weeks

Overlock Applications

This class teaches students different techniques for sewing clothing with an overlock machine. The course has applied sample work and a function overview of the machine. Students produce one to two garments with the instructor’s guidance while exploring knit, woven, stretch, and no-stretch fabrics. Clothing constructed with the overlock machine will be wash-and-wear.

Course length: 5 weeks

Open Sewing Time

Open class time is for guided project learning without a course outline. Students can choose to work on alterations, a special project, and/or work on techniques for refining their future projects or sewing skills.

Open-time options are by availability and only offered to students who have finished a Fashion Sewing School course.

Open sewing time is not available for students who intend to produce clothing for profit or online business content.

Prerequisite: Elementary Sewing

$70 per 3-hour session