The Sewing Workshop

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Upcoming Classes: Click on a class for details, times, and photos. To see an instructor's biography and individual class list, click on his or her name in the details section.

July 2009
01 - Begin Sewing 5 eves
10 - Couture Sewing 6 days
18 - Duvet Cover
20 - Teen Sewing 1
21 - Fit Clinic
28 - Pillows One
August
01 - Itsy Bitzy
02 - Itsy Bitzy
03 - Begin Sewing 4 days
25 - Fit Clinic
September
13 - Shoes
14 - Roman Shades
15 - Begin Sewing 5 eves
19 - Color at Donna's

September
23 - Pillows Two
29 - Fit Clinic
October
03 - Tea Cozy
10 - Children's Cloths
17 - Color at Donna's
17 - Fit Clinic
27 - Shirts & Collars
November
05 - Elegant Jacket
13 - The Magic of Wool
15 - Color at Donna's
20 - Fit Clinic
January 2010
29 - Asilomar 2009

Couture Sewing School with Susan Khalje
$995.00
Friday through Wednesday, July 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 10:00-5:00

Learn the fine art of couture sewing from couturiere Susan Khalje. Six intensive days are devoted to creating your own one-of-a-kind couture garment, which can be evening wear, sophisticated day wear or even a wedding gown. During your session, you plan, buy the fabric for and sew your creation. You incorporate into your project the couture techniques and details that go into Susan's exquisite gowns. Special attention is given to hand-sewing techniques and the inner structure and engineering that are the essential components of fine garments. One evening will be devoted to a discussion of business practices. Professional dressmakers and others with solid sewing skills benefit from this excellent course and from the interaction and camaraderie of working with fellow skilled sewers. The class will be small to allow for individual attention. Thirty-day cancellation policy.

Teen Sewing Camp 2009 with Debi Cournale
Class Full!$375.00
Monday through Friday, July 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 9:30-4:00

Last summer’s program was such a big hit; we decided to repeat it again this year. The students really enjoyed painting and creating their own fabric. Each student will be given the yardage and pattern needed to complete a beautiful summer dress. Designing the fabric creates a different challenge on visualizing the end garment. It teaches the importance of the fabric layout and how it affects the garment. The students learn how the placement of each pattern piece plays a major role in the look of a finished garment. The program teaches sewing, but stresses the techniques developed to create a beautiful fitted garment from conception to completion. The Camp will run one full week. No sewing experience is needed. Ages 12-17. I hope to see you this summer and hear all about your sewing projects. Remember there are only 6 students to a class, and they fill up quick! Any questions please call 415-676-1900 Hope to sew with you soon, Debi Cournale

ITSY BITSY IN SILK TAFFETA with Lynda Albiero
$90.00, materials cost $70.00
Saturday, August 1, 10:00-5:00

Capture the glory of the summer garden in beads and silk to hang off a drawer knob to enjoy during the winter months to follow. A French beaded flower rests on the hand dyed overskirt of Venise lace on this silk taffeta hanging sachet. The soft green color of the silk is a perfect foil for the lace that will be dyed during the workshop. Hands on experience with the non-toxic dyes is important for expanding embellishment skills. The beads will be selected to best showcase the dye work and ensure that each sachet is an original. Sewing knowledge limited to making a seam and an interest in beads combine to provide each student the skill to create this arresting little sachet. The beading technique for the petal shaped segments becomes the key for leaves, calyx and buds. The $70 materials fee covers hand colored instructions with Resource Guide, silk, lavender, lace, threads, beads and wire plus a set of 7 dyes. Extra Venise lace in a variety of patterns will be available for purchase. Homemade desserts, a cup of fine coffee or tea are complimentary and may be enjoyed in the beautiful garden at The Sewing Workshop. Note that you have the choice of a Saturday or Sunday class.

ITSY BITSY IN SILK TAFFETA with Lynda Albiero
$90.00, materials cost $70.00
Sunday, August 2, 10:00-5:00

Painting and Embellishing Shoes with Margot Silk Forrest
$95.00
Sunday, September 13, 10:00-5:00

Ever wanted to design your own shoes? Margot Silk Forrest will show you how to stretch your imagination -- and your budget -- by transforming plain (or just plain old) shoes into one-of-a-kind works of wearable art. You’ll learn techniques for painting shoes, sandals, and boots made of smooth leather, man-made leather, and fabric. You can pick a theme for your shoes, center the design around a fabulous embellishment or favorite color, or create your design as you go. For inspiration, Margot will bring a trunk show of shoes, boots, and sandals she has done. To see some examples, go to the Gallery at www .sassyfeet.com. You’ll learn how to paint, color block, or stencil your shoes in one or more colors, and attach beads, buttons, charms, piping, chains, appliqués, fabric, leather scraps, even feathers and fur! You can shop from Margot's private stash. You won’t believe how much fun it is to create art on a whole new kind of canvas one that will literally let you strut your stuff.

Inside, Outside and Everything In Between -- The Simply Elegant Jacket with Nancy Shriber
$375.00
Thursday through Sunday, November 5, 6, 7, 8, 10:00-5:00

Join us for four exciting days devoted to the design and construction of your next “best” artful garment! The class will focus on designing and working with two suggested patterns: Vogue 8399, a Marcy Tilton Wearable Art pattern and the Nikko Jacket, a Sewing Workshop pattern. During the course of this class you will review your selected pattern and fabrics, develop a timeline in which to work, and construct a lined jacket. In addition, Nancy will lead a discussion and demonstration on a variety of basic construction techniques, elegant embellishment options and appropriate finishing details. And, of course, you are always welcome to work with a favorite garment pattern of your own.

THE JEAN CACIECEDO VEST WORKSHOP: THE MAGIC OF WOOL with Jean Williams Cacicedo
$325.00
Friday through Sunday, November 13, 14, 15, 10:00-5:00

Jean’s vest workshop returns to The Sewing Workshop with new techniques and design approaches utilizing wools’ potential as a textured cloth .We will begin the workshop by learning three basic techniques that will produce beautifully textured cloth: Nuno Style Fabric incorporating raw fleece fibers onto cotton gauze, Resist Paste Fulling with wool gauze and’ Shrink” Quilting, a technique Jean has developed for sewing wool and polyester fabrics together. These techniques will be reviewed and then made into a simple style vest design, using. The Sewing Workshop Jean Cacicedo Vest Pattern. This will be a fun and fast paced workshop with a focus on understanding the transformative properties of wool and the magic of woolen cloth as a creative art fiber in fashion.

All classes are held in the San Francisco Bay Area. We strongly advise advance registration for classes, not only to ensure your space in the class but also to ensure that the class happens! If we don't meet the minimum of six students for a class a week prior to the class start date, we must cancel the event.

Registration: We now offer Paypal signup for all classes. You can also register for a class by , or by calling us at (800) 875-8824 or (415) 221-7397. Payments may be made by check or credit card. If you're registering for a Beginning Sewing class, we also need your size in order to send you the proper pattern.

Gift Certificates: Gift certificates are available for purchase. They are valid for one year from date-of-issue.

Studio Hours & Private Lessons: Need to finish a project but don't have the space or proper tools? The Sewing Workshop offers their well-equipped, large workroom for your private use. Call ahead to reserve time and a machine for a few hours or a day during our office hours. Studio hours are $15 per hour for the first hour, and $10 per hour thereafter. Private lessons are $50 per hour. Times can be arranged to fit your schedule. For more information on private lessons, please contact us for more information.

Class Fee Policy: All classes with a fee of $90.00 or less require full payment at the time of registration. Classes require at least $90 or 50% deposit, whichever is greater, at time of registration. The balance is due on the first day of the class. Partial payment is not available when paying with Paypal. Unless you cancel within the allowed period, full payment is required. Materials fees are made payable to the instructor on the day of class.

Cancellation/Transfer Policy: A $10.00 transaction fee applies to all class cancellations and transfers. Sorry, no refunds for missed classes. To receive a refund for a cancelled registration, notification must be given one full week prior to the class start date. (Of course, more time is always appreciated.) Retreat cancellations require 30 days notice or as noted in the description. If we must cancel a class, you will receive a full refund, or you may apply the fee to another class.

Calendar | Classes | Instructors | FAQ | About Us