Hand Stitching 101 for Garments

An in person class with Cal Patch

Mar 6, 9:00am-12:00pm

Learn several ways to sew seams, finish necklines and hem edges, with just a needle and thread and your hands! Now you can make clothes whenever and wherever you have a bit of time, and find moments of calm in your new hand-stitching practice.

Removing the sewing machine from the equation transports your sewing practice into the meditative realm of handwork (like knitting, crochet, and embroidery), and means you can stitch up garments whenever you have a few spare minutes in your day, or on the couch at night while watching a movie, and carry a project with you so you always have it. Amazingly, you might find you can finish a hand-sewn garment sooner than a machine-sewn one!

We will work up a sampler of basic hand-sewing techniques: how to sew seams, finish necklines and hem edges, using only your hands and a needle and thread. Several methods for each type of seam will be shown, and on future projects you can use your new skills in combination with machine sewing, or entirely on their own.

Supply List
• Fat quarter (or about 18×24” rectangle) of fabric: light-to-medium weight woven cotton, linen or blend. Solid fabric is best to see your stitches, but print is ok too.
• Bias tape, 1 yard of ½” single-fold, can be self-made or packaged
• All-purpose thread, can be contrast (to see your stitches) or matching
• Hand-sewing needles in a few sizes, or your favorite size
• Pins
• Scissors
• Marking tool (chalk, wax or pencil) and ruler
• Optional: Thimble
• Sewing Basics: Needles, Thread, Sharp scissors, Notebook, Pen or pencil with eraser, Tape measure, Seam ripper, Pins