Sewing – The Lost Art
I believe that everyone should have basic sewing skills, and it doesn’t have to be tedious, frustrating or time-consuming. I teach Guerilla Sewing, with shortcuts, tricks and designer secrets for professional result. I specialize in beginner students with “No Tears” instruction.
Weekly Open Studio at the Truckee Roundhouse Maker Space
* Every Friday, 2pm-6pm
* No experience is necessary, beginners welcome.
* Ages 12 – Adult, students under 15 must be accompanied by adult.
* FREE to members. $25 for non-members.
Learn to safely use our shop’s basic sewing machines, quilting machines and serger machines through demonstration and hands-on training. Bring a project or I’ll give you one. Bring your own machine or use ours.
Rotating Workshops at the Truckee Roundhouse Maker Space
* No experience is necessary, beginners welcome.
* Ages 12 – Adult, students under 15 must be accompanied by adult.
* See my current Workshop Schedule .
* Contact me for upcoming dates or to schedule a private session.
Put a Pocket On It:
Add a funktional (funky+functional) pocket to any garment using fun upcycled fabric samples. Class includes instruction in; machine sewing, machine embroidery, serging, pattern-making, basic construction.
Make an Upcycled Utility Belt:
Make a functional pocket-belt out of upcycled materials; perfect for festivals and everyday use. Instruction includes machine sewing, serging, pattern-making, basic construction, design.
Adult Fleece Onsie:
Make yourself a one-of-a-kind onsie out of fleece fabric, as a costume or Winter loungewear. Instruction includes machine sewing, serging, using a pattern, basic construction, zipper installation and design. Some sewing experience is recommended but not required.
Mending, Alterations & Reworking Garments:
Learn how to use your machine or ours. Our Textiles shop lead will be your on-site guru and will help bring all your repair and/or alterations to fruition. Repair or rework your own garments; bring your own projects and materials. Class includes instruction in; machine sewing, serging, hand sewing, reconstruction.
Upcycled Cashmere Fingerless Mittens:
Make a pair of Fingerless Mittens out of an old Cashmere sweater, for yourself or as a gift. Instruction includes hand sewing, reconstruction and design.
Denim Jean Bag:
Make a functional shoulder bag or tablet bag at of your favorite old jeans. Instruction includes machine sewing, serging, industrial sewing. All materials included. Beginner/Intermediate. No sewing machine experience needed.
Sock Monkey:
Make a Sock Monkey out of fun socks, for yourself or as a gift. This is a kid-friendly workshop open to individuals and families. Instruction includes machine sewing, hand sewing, using a pattern. All materials provided, including a selection of colorful and traditional red-heal socks. Age: 8 – Adult.
Monster Making: Contact me for dates or schedule a session
Design and make a monster out of upcycled fleece and felt. This is a kid-friendly workshop open to individuals and families. Instruction includes machine sewing, hand sewing, using and making a pattern. Ages: 8 – Adult.
Playa-wear Workshop: 
Bring your playa-wear projects, and I’ll help you make it happen.
MOOP-Bag Workshop:
Learn how to make MOOP-bags for Earth Guardians to gift at Burning Man. Learn basic sewing skills and make a few bags for yourself. No sewing experience necessary. Bring old pants/jeans , spray paint and sewing machine if you have one.
Private Workshop at your location in Lake Tahoe, Reno, Sacramento & Bay Area:
Single Student: $35 per hour, 2 hour minimum
2-4 students: $30 per hour per person, 2 hour minimum
5 or more students: $25 per hour per person, 2 hour minimum
* Travel fee will apply outside of North Tahoe
Contact me for more information:
What city are you located? Kd
I am in Vallejo.
HI JUDY,
This sounds wonderful. Is this an ongoing open ended class? Can’t take it for awhile, don’t know how to sew and don’t have a sewing machine. But I want to!! Cherry
Hi Cherry! This is an on-going workshop. Anyone can join, even if you don’t have a sewing machine. It’s also a great way to learn about sewing machines so when you’re ready to buy one, you’ll know what you want.
Next month I’ll be focusing on Halloween costumes, then start on holiday gifts in November. Yay!
Nice! I would love to come to your workshop, I learned to sew in jr. high (I think they call it middle school now LOL) and need to polish my skills. I mostly want to work on refashion and alterations. I’m looking at next year sometime (its almost Nov., can you believe it?) hopefully you will have classes then as well.
Cheers!
Adriana Zaragoza (aka Lawson) 🙂
I would love to attend your classes, but work M-F. Are there weekend classes available?
I will be offering weekend classes in the fall, starting in late September.
I am interested in taking one of your classes one day. Unfortunately, my schedule is tight with the next theatre season opening soon and a month long vacation planned soon. But I will contact you judy! Thanks, dyanne
Judi, I really loved the guerilla sewing workshop a few weeks ago! I’m so stoked about my new dress! I’ve asked a couple of my friend’s for their dresses so I can replicate one for them, too! I’d like to take the Sock Monkey workshop…can you please add my email to your list of class update notifications?
Judi, I can get 2-3 people together, give me some dates that will work for you. On the meantime, I’ll share this on my page.
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Yes, but not often. My next Guerilla Sewing workshop is on Sunday June 14th in Vallejo. Fill out a contact form on my Contact page and I’ll send you details.
I am looking for someone to teach me how to use my sewing machine I got as gift are you still teaching?
I took a sewing class from you two years ago and can’t thank you enough. I made another floor length skirt. Problem is that I’m a bit rusty and need to up my skills. Please come to Berkeley and teach a class! mountainacupuncture at gmail much love Anahita Bird