The Creative Hinterland: Patternmaking for Mindful Sewists teaches you the skills you need to modify sewing patterns to your liking, bringing a spirit of playfulness to your sewing hobby and your closet.
Includes drafting instructions for 12 Hinterland hacks, a value of $192, PLUS over 20 hours of video instruction and membership in our vibrant online course community.
This course is designed for intermediate to advanced sewists.
Pattern making topics covered:
Tools and supplies
How-to coaching on research and style planning
Mindset coaching
Rotating darts into new locations
Creating new seams, including color blocking and princess seams
Changing seam locations and functions through developing yokes and closures
Adding design ease through gathers, slash and spread, and in seams
Changing armhole and neckline shaping
Adapting sleeves to different styles and fit preferences
Developing raglan seams in two different ways
Drafting different edge finishes like shaped facings and bias facings
Drafting collars, including flat collars and a convertible collar
Creating new pocket styles
Drafting a circle skirt to fit your bodice
Drafting a culotte bottom to fit your bodice
Developing details such as pintucks, keyhole necklines, and released darts
Different levels of memberships for different prices. Skill builder classes are in depth instruction for specific sewing areas: sleeves, collars, pockets, zippers, buttonholes, etc.
Sew Sew live – search her you tube channel and you may find your pattern already sewing by Saremy and a full sew along in real time!
Also has a message board. I’m a member but I really don’t take advantage of it.
Courses offered through local fabric stores– many of these are focused on beginners and many are not accessible for everyone. Things to look for: size-inclusive patterns, room between sewing machine stations – COVID has been helpful in this regard, but not all rooms are easy for everyone to get around in. A good way to meet sewing friends and to learn new skills. I have done “this looks right” quilting, but don’t know the rules – best to know them before I break them. My entry into quilting is this quilted vest class focusing on hand quilting.
STEP-BY-STEP COURSES: Each course is designed to be concise and easy to follow.
OUR METHOD: We use easy to understand terms and clear instruction to keep you interested and excited as you go through each course.
COURSE GUIDE: Each course is designed to build on the skills learned on the previous course.
AUTO RESUME: Log in and get right back to where you left off.
OUR FOUNDER: Mimi G has taught tens of thousands of people to sew and has built a recognized and respected brand. She is most known for her ability to teach anyone.
INCLUSION: With over 54 womenswear courses and 29 menswear new courses added monthly we offer something for students at each skill level.
Located in New York City’s Garment District, The New York Sewing Center has long been an authority on sewing education. Now, the center has taken its instruction to the digital realm, with a variety of classes, workshops, and private lessons offered online through Zoom or FaceTime. The uniqueness and wide variety of choices in classes that the New York Sewing Center offers put them in the top slot.
If a one-on-one private lesson is what you’re after, you can learn at your own pace courtesy of an instructor at a cost of around $60. The company is also flexible—if you don’t have a sewing machine, you can receive lessons in hand sewing, embroidering, or knitting. The New York Sewing Center team can also help you find a machine that matches what you’re looking for.
You can also sign up for an online workshop. Offerings are constantly changing and updating. Past classes include Virtual Summer Top workshop (you’ll make a chic fabric and elastic top ) and Virtual Knit Jumpsuit class roughly ($275) , during which you’ll create your own soft, stretchy, and stylish jumpsuit (pattern included). The New York Sewing Center has classes designed for all levels, including kids. They can sign up for a Virtual Fashion Summer Camp (about $375), learn how to make a skirt and scrunchie outfit, and more.
Prices vary depending on which class you choose, and they can last anywhere from one hour, a full day, or even 2 to 3 hours per week for up to six weeks to complete.
Skillshare has classes in pattern making, sewing, draping, etc
Getting an education in pattern construction will help you further understand how garments come to life. Hyden Yoo, the instructor of this course, is the creator of his own eponymous fashion label, and his mens- and womenswear have been featured in publications such as GQ, Elle, Details, WWD, Nylon, and W.
In this Skillshare class, Yoo outlines how important the paper pattern is in garment production. The class is designed for beginners and will teach you a simple, four-step process for pattern drafting: measurement (taking proper measurements to build a pattern), detailing (creating different collar types), materials (choosing materials for the optimal fit), and finally, paper drafting (actually drafting the paper pattern).
You’ll complete the lessons by creating a pattern for one of the workhorses of anyone’s wardrobe—the classic T-Shirt. If you don’t have a Skillshare membership yet, you’ll be able to take the class for free during the platform’s 30 day free trial period. A Basic Membership is free with limited access. The Premium Membership costs $32 per month, or about $170 annually.
Topic: Sewing gifts – what seems realistic to you for this year? Are we getting more generous? LOL!
I thought we could ID new patterns that would make good gifts (for ourselves or others), as well as ID actual items that would make a nice treat for the sewing enthusiast in your life.
Our last month sponsor Needle Sharp has offered a discount code for all of our listeners this month! The discount is for 15% off and the code is: PFNOV
Johassler: Labels & patches for one lucky winner
Catch up:
Beverly: Creative Hinterland class: I’ve altered the wrap dress pattern as I described in the last episode – kept the raglan sleeves, made the bodice one piece, kept the sleeve and back details, made the skirt fuller by doing width of fabric x 2 (in my size this is almost double the fullness).
I also made the original Hinterland – a little shorter for a tunic using some lovely linen I purchased from Blackbird Fabrics. They don’t have the same fabric still but loads of beautiful linen and other fabrics
Jenny:
Bags, bags, bags, lol. Also carving stamps. And I made my dress for Atlanta Frocktails … and I think I hate it. I have time to make another so I’m probably going to do that. Assuming I go – I’m still trying to find someone I can bunk with, lol.
Whaaaattt??? A non-garment theme???? Well, mostly. Here are some ideas:
Bags
Slippers
Toys
Dog beds
Pillows
Pillowcases (technically clothes for pillows but we will allow)
Tablecloths
Napkins
Tea cozies (clothes for teapots?)
Tapestries
Sheets
Quilts
So many choices! What are some of your favorites?
Beverly: I’m excited to make a fanny pack/bum bag. I don’t even know all the things I need to buy to make one but I bet I can figure it out. We also have some ugly couch pillows (loose pillows, not part of the couch) that I would like to recover.
Jenny: 2 yards of a pink white blue moth design created by a non-binary trans masc artist in a cotton knit.
Catch up:
Jenny:
I’ve fallen in love with stamping so hard. I’m also mostly prepping for holiday craft fairs.
I’ve still found time to make a couple of my self-drafted dresses AND my drafting class has started & I’m officially scared. Learning illustrator is something I’ll definitely do better if it’s in person. Sigh. Lol.
Beverly: Creative Hinterland class: finished my Jacket! It is made from Merchant and Mills Jacquard fabric in color “Quink” and “Hardy Falls” (navy and olive) from Domesticity. I am so proud of this jacket! In case you haven’t heard progress from recent episodes, this make required 3 toiles. It started as the Hinterland dress pattern and after adding ease, sleeve length and a bit of length to the bodice, plus making it a V neck and adding style lines that continued over the sleeves and onto the back- it became a jacket. All the pieces were serged before starting so that the seams could be busted open instead of finished together to minimize bulk. I love it so much. Next up: a wrap dress. We have converted the Hinterland into raglan sleeves and added some extra gathers at the shoulder and back. In addition, we added width to the sleeves and extra length in the back to gather into a cuff. I’ve made my first toile and I don’t like the fit. Two things: our teacher suggested washing it first to be sure I don’t like the fit after a bit of shrinking back (fair point) and I want to also try it without the wrap, just make the front on the fold instead of single triangle pieces.
Aims is a romantic oversized button-up blouse with raglan sleeves, and front and back gathers on the lined, curved yoke. It features a band collar, elastic at the sleeve hem, and 3/8″ (10 mm) buttons down the front.
Jade features a fully lined sleeveless bodice with princess seam front shaping and darted back shaping, finished with a V neckline.
A wide A-line skirt includes side seam pockets and falls to below the knee. The back skirt overlaps almost side seam to side seam (it’s stepped back just a smidge so you can’t see the edge of the skirt when looking from the front), meaning you have plenty of coverage across the back – even in windy weather.
Jade can be made in both floatier fabrics with some drape for hot weather (think cool linens and floaty cottons) as well as heavier weight fabrics like denim and wool suitings for a crisper finish in cold weather.
The September Sun Dress and Top features corset sealing details, a soft sweetheart neckline, an open back with ties and a gathered skirt/peplum. There is light boning in the sides for structure. View A is a midi length dress, View B is a short dress hitting just above the knee and View C is a peplum top.
Jenny: 2 yards of a pink white blue moth design created by a non-binary trans masc artist in a cotton knit.
Catch up:
Beverly: Creative Hinterland class still going strong, but a bit slower now. Did my THIRD toile for my jacket. I am so glad I did because there were things wrong.
Jenny:
Two new self-drafted dresses, both with cap sleeves & a ruffle at the hem. Planning further development of sleeve options coming sooooon.
Jenny: 2 yards of a pink white blue moth design created by a non-binary trans masc artist in a cotton knit.
Catch up:
Beverly:
Shirt – Byrdie Button Up from Pattern Scout –
The shirt has a full collar with stand, sleeve placket, two front pockets, darts. Very nice pattern with great instructions. It doesn’t have a yolk, which may be important for folks that need more shaping on their back. It fit me well, but in the end I didn’t think I’d wear it. I was more wanting an oversized shirt (so I should have made one!) But my mom LOVES it!
Projector for patterns: Epson PowerLite 680 H746A Ultra Short Throw Projector w/ Remote
New patterns:
KnowME – the good, the bad
Diverse representation rarely seen in Big 4 patterns – all POC, black
FOUR patterns go up to a 58-60” chest (another leap for Big 4) – guessing based on the limited chart shown on the pattern page.
Most patterns end at 48” chest – sigh
No visibly old sewists, one sewist above a small fat sizing visibly
Men’s patterns end at size 52
Now you can sew comfortable undies for and maintain a high level of modesty. This pattern includes instructions to make boxer brief style underwear with two different hem options, two lengths, and two rises. Women love their Boxerwear for under dresses and skirts, sleeping and even daily underwear. Be careful though, you may need a larger dresser to house all of your new undies
Moderne is a drop shoulder cocoon coat. It has generous pockets and a roomy fit. It is inspired by Art Moderne architecture, a style prominent in the 1930’s and 40’s that featured aerodynamic curves and clean horizontal lines.
Version 1 has a sporty knit collar and cuffs and its curved seams are accented with piping. It is fully lined and closes with a zipper.
Version 2 features a flat band collar, 3/4 length sleeves with a decorative notch, and gracefully curved side hem vents. It is unlined and closes with buttons.
This collarless coat is designed to play well with your favorite hand knit scarves. Make it up in denim or canvas for a light spring coat or in wool with lining for cozy winter outerwear.
Saturday, October 22 at 6pm, City Winery Atlanta will be the host of our event, on the patio with lots of fashion fun, food and our signature Frocktail. Make your most fun frock and come hang out for a night off. There will be a camera everywhere you look, fun surprises from our Sponsors and new friends will be the reward.
Jenny: 2 yards of a pink white blue moth design created by a non-binary trans masc artist in a cotton knit.
Catch up:
Jenny:
I found a cute fabric on clearance at Joann & bought it to make a version of my self drafted dress. I have to share how cutting & buying it went.
Beverly:
New set of PJs for my mom – used the Sew Liberated Nocturne pattern – same as the pair I made for myself except fabric. I did use Liberty Tana Lawn, but the print is Hydrangeas – my mom loves hydrangeas! Gift for her birthday.
New Patterns:
Sew Over It Nicole Dress– Nicole is a classic shirt dress with all the trimmings: buttons all the way down the front, collar and collar stand, and a midi A-line skirt with a gently curved hem. Bust and waist darts in the bodice create a feminine silhouette and you can pick between a gathered skirt or a flat-fronted skirt with darts at the back. And yes, there are pockets!
We’ve given you the choice of two sleeve styles to make this a pattern that can serve you from spring all the way to winter. The short sleeve is finished with a stylish turn-up, whereas the long sleeve features traditional shirt cuffs with a bound opening.
Make Nicole in a viscose or crepe fabric for a fluid look, or choose a cotton poplin, cotton lawn or linen for a more structured style.
Here’s a version by inspired.chic in a solid – much easier to see style lines.
Pattern Emporium Wanderlust dress – Expanded sizing – Nice to see companies that continue to go back into old patterns and expand sizing and not just new patterns.
Sewing community news:
In case you haven’t seen this yet, MyBodyModel – custom croquis making service is going away. If you’d like to get one for yourself, you can still do so until December 15, 2022. There is a discount of 20% with code: THANKYOU20
MyBodyModel is an app that makes custom fashion croquis templates (body outline sketches) with your real body measurements. Get your own printable & digital fashion sketchbook and draw your fashion designs on a body model that looks like you.
#pfGenderMORE
We know that clothing doesn’t have a gender – is genderless, but thinking outside of gender norms gives us so much MORE, so that’s why we’ve used this hashtag.
What does this mean?
Fabric, notions, clothing styles aren’t gendered – so expand your mind 😀
Could use patterns or styles that are conventionally designed for a different gender than the person wearing the garment.
Could use fabrics or colors out of conventional male/female norms
Maybe you try something to explore your own relationship with gender
What will you do?
Beverly: I think I’ll make Jim a house dress/skirt
Jenny: I’m not sure yet … I’m thinking I’ll focus on pants this month.
Many #MeToo bags & carving a rubber stamp for creating craft fair items.
Also: a stretch velour Toaster Sweater by Sew House 7 – both fabric & pattern gifted by Seams fabric. Both are in sale in Sept there.
NYT crossword. Some update logged me out & broke my streak when I logged back in!! I’m so upset!
Beverly:
More work with Creative Hinterland class. I learned how to add ease to a bodice to make it into a jacket! It’s much more involved than simply making another size. The shape of the sleeve cap changes, for example. It’s a way to create ease specifically for wearing over something else, and keep the fit the same.
Beverly: I have been using my stash exclusively so far, EXCEPT – I bought some Merchant and Mills cotton jacquard (quilted sort of fabric) for a specific project. It’s ok because I bought it from the store of this month’s sponsor!. I have also been cutting a bunch of scraps to make some quilted fabric or maybe a quilt. For simplicity, I decided to cut them all 5×5 and the little bits that don’t fit I’m tossing. It’s a good thing to do while watching TV (FOOTBALL!)
I also recently reorganized my fabric and I found some that I didn’t know I had!!! I also created a bin for “one yard wonders” – things that I have a larger than ½ yard scrap, but not really enough to make much- Maybe I can use them for an Ogden cami? Not exactly sure what I’m going to do with them, but they have a home for now.
The photo below is not all of the fabric, but it’s my “display fabric”. Ha! I have a bin for rayons and others that are too slinky to stay put on a shelf, denim, double gauze – a few others.
Jenny:
Organized & started planning. I’ve seen mostly stash items this month, including using so many scraps & deep quilting stash for items to sell.
Favorite ideas that folks have used for #pfSewYourStash
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