| An Offering of Sewing Classes |
The following list includes all classes currently taught by Janet Dapson, Palmer Pletsch Certified Sewing Instructor and Educational Associate. They range from very basic to advanced and cover a wide range of topics. In any given season, only certain classes are scheduled, but you may request any of the others for private instruction or as a special offering for your group of 3 or more (see bottom of this page for details).
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| Intro to Sewing |
If you have no sewing experience, this introductory
session will provide the background information you
need to get started. Learn about sewing tools, types
of fabric, sewing terminology, basic functions of your
sewing machine, and choosing a pattern. Completing
this class will prepare you for “Beginning Sewing”.
[Lecture, 2 hours]
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| Fit for Real People |
Find out how your body shape varies from the sloper from which patterns are designed, then learn how to easily alter any pattern to fit you. In the first class session, you will take one body measurement to determine your true pattern size. You will then make alterations to tissue and fabric using Palmer/Pletsch fitting concepts. The McCall's “Learn-to-Fit” Pattern #2718 is used (included with registration fee), plus a pattern of your choice (which you will bring to class).
[Hands-on, two 6-hour sessions]
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| Beginning Sewing |
If you are an inexperienced sewer or need to refresh
your skills, this class will get you going. Choose an
easy skirt or lounge pants pattern provided with your
registration fee. Depending upon the style of garment,
you will learn skills such as pattern alteration, inserting
zippers or elastic, sewing smooth darts, topstitching,
applying fusible interfacing, hemming and more. Those
who have little or no sewing experience must take “Intro
to Sewing” before “Beginning Sewing”.
[Hands-on, 6 hours] |
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| Pants for Real People |
Learn how to alter any commercial pants pattern to fit
your body. Discover solutions to fit problems and pick
up tips on creating a flattering style. Innovative Palmer/Pletsch concepts of tissue-fitting and Fit-As-You-Sew
will be used. Choose a basic pants pattern in the first
class (included with registration fee). After making
alterations to the basic pattern, you will cut out, fabric-fit
and construct your pants.
[Hands-on, 6 hours] |
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| Exploratory Sergery |
Need help with operating your serger? In this class, you
will practice threading your machine “from scratch”,
learn basic serging techniques, and adjust tension for
various stitches and fabrics. You will take home samples
you have made in class. Bring your sergerʼs accessories
and instruction manual along with the machine.
[Hands-on, 3 hours] |
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| Fit a Blouse |
Find out how to alter any commercial blouse or shirt
pattern to fit you. Innovative Palmer/Pletsch concepts
of tissue-fitting and Fit-As-You-Sew will be used.
Choose one of several blouse patterns provided at
class (included with registration fee). After making
alterations to the pattern, you will cut out, fabric-fit and
construct your blouse.
[Hands-on, two 6-hour sessions] |
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| Young Sewers Level 1 |
This is for young people aged 10-12 who have little or
no experience with sewing. Students will make an easy
skirt or pants using a pattern provided at class. Skills
such as choosing fabric, determining size, cutting out a
pattern, finishing seams, inserting elastic, and hemming
will be taught. Proper use of sewing tools (including
the sewing machine) will be covered.
[Hands-on, three 2-hour sessions] |
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| Young Sewers Level 2 |
Young Sewers who have completed Level 1 may take
this class to advance their skills and make an easy top
to go with their skirt or pants.
[Hands-on, three 2-hour sessions] |
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| Jeans that Fit |
Frustrated with the fit of ready-to-wear jeans? Make your own! McCall's pattern #5142 (included with your registration fee) includes a natural-waist relaxed fit jean, as well as a low-rise slim fitting style. You will use the Palmer/ Pletsch concepts of tissue-fitting and Fit-As- You-Sew to obtain the best fitting jeans ever. On the first day, you will tissue-fit and cut out your jeans, then begin construction. The second session focuses on fabric fitting and sewing.
[Hands-on, two 6-hour sessions] |
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| Tailoring Basics |
Sharpen your tailoring skills by creating a lined jacket.
Modern techniques make tailoring easier and less timeconsuming
than traditional methods. In the first session,
you will alter your pattern for a perfect fit, cut the fabric
and prepare jacket pieces. The second and third days
will be spent on jacket construction. Learn about types
of interfacing, plus where and how to use them; how to
make perfect pockets and notched collars; and discover
the secret of inserting the lining completely by machine.
You will choose a Palmer/Pletsch McCallʼs pattern to
use for your jacket (included with registration fee).
[Hands-on, three 6-hour sessions] |
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| Sewing with Knits |
Working with knit fabrics can be tricky, but it is easy
once you learn the proper techniques and use quality
fabric. You will have the advantages of both in this
class. We will provide an easy T-top pattern (by Great
Copy Patterns) along with your choice of one of our knit
fabrics (both included with registration fee).
[Hands-on, one 6-hour session] |
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| Silk Made Simple |
Would you love to make a silk blouse or skirt? If you
have fears about a silk sewing disaster, practice on
samples in this class to conquer those fears. Then start
to work on a simple project and create a classy garment
with your newly acquired skills.
[Hands-on, one 6-hour session] |
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| Zip It Up |
If you get a headache from trying to properly place
zippers, let us help ease your pain. Learn easy
techniques for inserting centered, lapped, fly front and
invisible zippers. Just bring your machine and the feet. We supply the zippers and fabric pieces.
[Hands-on, one 2-hour session] |
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| Welts & Holes |
Like the look of welt pockets and bound buttonholes, but have been less than successful in creating them? Do they seem too complicated to even attempt? It is not so difficult to give your garments this couture touch. This hands-on class will show you easy sure-fire methods for making perfect "welts" & "holes" every time!
[Hands-on, 2 hours] |
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| Fitting Solutions |
What is your most aggravating fit problem: baggy seat in your pants; small shoulders; large upper arms; full bust; choking neckline; more than one of these; none of these but something else? Take a three-dimensional approach to understand how to correct a two-dimensional pattern. Learn how to alter patterns to compensate for your body shape and create solutions to those vexing fitting dilemmas.
[Lecture, 1.5 hours] |
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| 20 Tips to Improve Your Sewing |
Sometimes it's the little things that make the big difference. Drawing from hundreds of topics in more than 30 Palmer/Pletsch
books and DVDs, this seminar focuses on some of the most useful techniques to obtain better sewing results. See how to: get a more flattering fit; select and use interfacing; easily insert zippers and sleeves; prepare fabric; minimize mistakes; and other useful tips.
[Lecture, 1.5 hours]
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| Rediscover Sewing |
If you used to sew, but have been away from it for a while, this is a refresher session to help you get started again. Learn about the latest in fabrics, notions, and timesaving techniques. Determine how to choose the correct size pattern and make simple alterations for a better fit. Pick up tips on easy ways to insert zippers, sew smooth darts that lie flat, choose and apply fusible interfacing, and more. No sewing tools are needed; this is a lecture/slide presentation. Be sure to bring your questions!
[Lecture, 2.5 hours]
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| Common Alterations |
Need to mend a broken zipper, hem your pants, shorten your sleeves, or simply replace a button? Beginners and experienced sewers will see how to make adjustements to garments, whether purchased or made yourself. You will discover easy methods and tips for making alterations. This is a lecture/slide presentation. Bring your questions and a notepad!
[Lecture, 2 hours]
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| Private Instruction (Call to arrange) |
Take an hour or all day, Janet will custom-design a session just for you. This is a great opportunity for those who want extensive personalized instruction or who cannot fit a regular class into their busy schedules.
[Format and time to suit you] |
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| Your Own All-day Class (Call to arrange) |
| Have your own all-day class! Gather 3 to 5 people to take a full day of hands-on instruction. We will work with you to select a mutually convenient date for one of our all-day or multi-day classes (we require a minimum of 30 days' notice). Regular class fees apply. You will receive a 10% discount off all purchases on the day(s) of class. |
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| Let Janet Come to You (Call to arrange) |
Would your sewing group like to schedule seminars or workshops in your area? Let us know what topics are of interest and the time frame desired. Fees will vary depending on the presentation, time involved and travel factors. Further details will be provided upon request.
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Special Programs for Special Groups
(Call to arrange) |
| Let us host your sewing group! Come for a field trip to Fabrications and enjoy a day designed just for you. We can accommodate groups of up to 20 participants in a lecture setting. Depending upon your time frame, you may choose one of two presentations. Here’s how it works: (1) Let us know when you would like to come (we require a minimum of 30 days notice.) We will work with you to select a mutually convenient date. (2) Select your presentation(s): Fit for Real People Lecture, Pants for Real People Lecture, Rediscover Sewing Lecture, or 20 Tips to Improve Your Sewing. Each is about 1.5 hours long. Lunch is on your own. Groups of 6 or more receive 20% off all purchases! There is no charge for this event. Just bring a group of friends for fun and shopping!! |
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Special Sessions by Request
Contact us for details:
info@fabricationsonline.com
269-629-0190
Toll free: 877-629-0190 |
Click here to download the detailed Class Schedule in pdf format.
Best viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader.
Set your printer at “Scale to fit” or use paper, 8.5 x 11 inches.
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