Frequently Asked Questions

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I want my students to learn traditional sewing techniques, so that their projects look handmade, not homemade, professional, not amateur.  To accomplish this I help the students build their skills in a methodical fashion.  I do not like "make and take" style projects. 

For in-person classes, beginner students do not need anything for the first lesson. I have a sewing machine for students to use in class. However, if you already have a sewing machine, please bring it. It is better to learn on your own machine. 

For online students, you will need a sewing machine for the first class. For subsequent classes you will need: sewing scissors, pins, a pin cushion, measuring tape, seam ripper, safety pins, water soluble marking pen or tailor’s chalk, thread, hand sewing needles, machine needles and bobbins. Some of these items will come with your sewing machine.  There is a shopping list in the FILES section.

You do not need to have a sewing machine to start lessons with me. I do provide a machine during class. The type of machine you get is dependent on what you intend to do with it and your budget. I tend to steer people toward less expensive machines, especially if you are not sure if you will continue sewing as a life-long hobby or profession. Machines can range from $30 for the horrid little toy machines to $20,000 or more for more expensive brands or industrial machines. 

With that in mind, for most of my students, I am currently recommending the Brother cs7000 or something similar. At this moment the extras that you get with this computerized machine make it a very good value. As of this writing it is running  $200-240ish new.  Cheaper mechanical machines are running about $150ish(6/25)

The lower priced Brothers and Singers are kind of the Hondas of the sewing world. Inexpensive, hard-working machines. You can get lots of cool features in these machines for not too much money. They will handle most of the jobs home sewers will want to do.  However, if they break, you will often pay almost as much as they cost for repairs.  

If you are on a strict budget, let people know that you are interested in sewing and you will likely be offered one that someone bought 10 years ago and never took out of the box.  Grandma's attic, yard sales, thrift stores are also good places to get a machine.  Do not be afraid of old metal machines.  They will probably outlast all the plastic machines that have been made in the last 20 years.  I have also bought refurbished (used) machines online for about half of retail.

My online classes follow the same curriculum and usually the same time frame as listed below.  Students will need their own sewing machine and tools and access to a computer, although some of my students used their phones.

Yes.  Prior to the pandemic, I would not have thought so.  Several of  my pandemic era girls have gone on to Parsons and FIT, fashion schools in New York.  5 years later I still have students I see weekly from across the country.  Online sewing classes are great for those who cannot find a teacher they like locally or have mobility issues.  

We do the same lessons in my online classes. I have 5 cameras with multiple views including close ups, so students can see exactly what is going on.  Online classes are private only.  Just between me and you and are conducted the same way as in person lessons.  In fact, if you are local and can't make it to class one day, we can always pop online.

Beginning students have little or no experience. This includes many self-taught sewers who have learned watching YouTube.

My curriculum is based on my grandmother’s 1968 4H teaching manual. You will be learning step-by-step all the skills necessary to complete a garment or other project. We start at the very beginning and build a foundation so you will be able to sew on your own.

Class 1 - Parts of a sewing machine and how to avoid breaking the machine or making knots. 

Class 2 – Fabric basics, how to thread and wind a bobbin, pinning, straight line sewing, ironing. 

Class 3 – Completing the pattern-less project. 

Class 4 – How to measure for using patterns and how to read the pattern envelope

Class 5 – Prepping the pattern, how to lay out pattern pieces for cutting, cutting the pattern.

Class 6 – 8 Sewing the second project, sewing curves

The first project for beginners is a pattern-less skirt, drawstring bag or pillow.  The second project is pajama bottoms. 

These are low (emotional) investment projects designed to explain basic sewing concepts and build on skills from the previous lesson without causing crying. 

An intermediate student is comfortable with the sewing machine.  This student understands that knit is not easy to sew and that you must have consistent seam allowances.  They are ready to use challenging fabrics, learn zippers, buttonholes, facings, bindings, interfacings, finishings and advanced sewing techniques.  If you don't recognize these things you are probably a beginner.

I consult with intermediate students and meet them at their level.  Usually, we will be working on their project with guidance on any special stitching or techniques.  

Sometimes students just want help with one or two mysteries. Many intermediate students want some guidance on making sure they cut their patterns out correctly, learn advanced techniques, help with constructing multi-piece patterns, learning basic pattern adjustments.

Some intermediate students come for one or two classes.  Some pop in and out when they need help with a project. Others come for years working on new skills with each project. 

To learn more than just the basics and be able to create handmade, bespoke, professional looking items, you will need 4-6 months of classes at least.   Some students come for years.  Many like the accountability of having a lesson each week to keep them doing something they enjoy.

This is very personal. Some students just want to make pillows. They may only need a few lessons.  Some want to learn fashion design. Some use sewing to relax, challenge themselves or express their creativity.  These students will be honing their skills their entire lives.

There are many different skills to learn to sew. Each one has its own learning curve. 

1. Learn how to comfortably use the sewing machine.

2. Learning how to handle fabric

3. How to lay out patterns for cutting

4. Learning how to pin

5. How to cut fabric

6. Basic construction 

7. Getting comfortable with construction

8. Learning finishing techniques

9. Fabrics that need special handling (all the ones you like)

10. Fitting the garment.

11. Choosing the right fabric for the project

12. Reading the pattern envelope

13. Reading a pattern

I have a lot of experience teaching children.  I started teaching by teaching after school programs for children.  

I regularly teach children 6 and up to machine and hand sew.  Children do not need to start with hand sewing.  The child should be able to follow instructions and be willing to follow safety rules.  Historically, children started to learn how to sew around 3 or 4.

Do Not buy a toy or miniature machine. Get a normal-sized sewing machine that you would use. The cheap toy/just for mending/mini sewing machines will not work properly and cause much more frustration than they are worth. A child 6ish and up is perfectly capable of using a normal full-sized sewing machine.

No, I no longer make items for other people.  I am happy to teach you how to make your own. 

This is the wrong way to go about learning to sew. This will depend entirely on what you want to make and at what level. Sewing is a series of several skills that must be learned. Learning how to use the sewing machine is the least of these skills. What type of machine you need will depend on what you will be making.  

No. I have no formal training in draping or drafting. I have occasionally done it for myself and, sometimes, my students, but I am learning those skills myself. 

If you want a formal fashion design education, check out the Fashion Institute of Florida in Miami - https://fashionsfl.com/   There is a similar school in Boca.

Mending and upcycling clothing is not as easy as you think.  Each different type of fabric has different challenges.  A silk blouse, t-shirt and blue jeans are made from challenging to use fabrics.  Using challenging fabrics is an intermediate to advanced skill. Trying to work with these fabrics as a beginner will usually result in crying.

Yes.  I teach hand and machine embroidery. 

The machine embroidery class is 2 hours.  I have experience with Brother home sewing and embroidery machines, not commercial machine.  The numbers of the machines change yearly, but the machines stay the same.  

I do not teach digitizing or creating your own embroidery patterns.

I do hand embroidery, cross stitch and needle point.  I can teach all of these.  Usually I find that once you know a few basic stitches and how to start, students can go on their own fairly quickly.

I know how to knit.  I have taught a few students how to knit.  I can get you started on a few basic projects.  If you can find someone who is more experienced, I recommend you work with them.   If you are okay with learning the basics and then learning on your own, I'm happy to help you.  If you know  someone who teaches these things let me know, I'd love to have someone to refer people to.

Crochet - no.

My background is as a home sewer, not a fashion design student.  

I have been sewing for over 50 years.  I do not remember learning how to sew.  I learned first with my grandmothers, one of whom taught sewing for 4H.  Later with my mom who made all my clothes when I was young and is now an avid quilter.  I had a few classes in middle school at the local library, not school.  I was not allowed to take home ec., since I already knew how to do all that. 

I made an apron and embroidered a turkey on it for some project in elementary school.  I remember sitting in the lecture hall with my mom, when Stretch and Sew was introduced to home sewers.  And then making a navy blue tshirt and shorts set.

I made all of my clothes in high school.  I wore a fully-lined wool suit that I made to the mock trial in front of the Virginia Supreme Court, back in the day.  Made my prom dress.  If you are with me for a while, you will hear the lesson I learned with that project.  And the Nancy Zieman trick that I teach all my students to this day.

Between high school and college, I worked at a upholstery and drapery shop.  In college, i experimented with silk, making my formal for a fraternity party and knitting 1/4 of a sweater that I never finished. I wrote papers about sewing and fashion history for class.  I worked at an alterations shop over the summer.

I made my wedding dress.  As a young mom I made diapers, baby clothes, clothes for my boys and weird stuff for my husband's boat and car.  Since I didn't "have a degree" in sewing, I figured I needed more "formal" education and took a mail order sewing class.  meh!  Didn't learn anything new from that. 

Now I make clothes, household items ( I love my studio curtains), historical costumes for live reenactments, stuff for my son's sailboat, and soon baby stuff for my first grandbaby. 

While my college degrees never made me any money, sewing has.  I've done alterations, prototyping projects, repaired fire fighter uniforms, made cushions, curtains and banquettes when I needed money.   I no longer do those things, because they are not enjoyable.  

I love teaching sewing.  It is a gift from the women in my life, a bridge between past and future, a shared memory of people I love.  One I want to pass on to you.