Do you want to learn how to make beautiful, unique clothing for yourself?Are you looking for a deeply fulfilling creative outlet? Are you sick of the disposable fast fashion industry and want to make your wardrobe more sustainable?
Welcome to the class designed to to teach you everything you need to know to start sewing the wardrobe of your dreams! Spoiler alert: it's not as hard as you think, and the skills and techniques you'll learn in this online workshop will completely transform your closet AND inspire and engage your creativity as you discover the joy of sewing your own clothing from scratch.
Learn How to Sew Clothing is a comprehensive online course that guides you through the entire sewing process. The first section of the class will walk you through all the key information you need to know to get started. In the second section, we will show you how to construct all three of the garment patterns included with enrolment. You'll develop the skills necessary to sew a modern boxy tee or shift dress, a classic flared skirt, and chic pants or shorts, opening the door to your wildest fashion and sewing dreams. Heather Lou of Closet Case Patterns teaches each lesson in simple language everyone can understand, so whether you've never sewn a stitch or are simply looking to brush up on your skills, you will feel completely confident sewing and creating a totally unique wardrobe that fills you with pride.
Work at your own pace – anytime, anywhere, on any device – and learn everything you need to know to sew clothing, from the very basics to more advanced techniques.
IN THIS CLASS YOU'LL LEARN...
✂ How to thread and operate a basic home sewing machine.
✂ How to sew even, straight stitches and troubleshoot problems.
✂ Professional seam finishes, including gorgeous French and bias bound seams.
✂ How to choose the right fabrics for your sewing projects.
✂ How to set-up and stock your sewing space, including the best tools to get the job done.
✂ How to decipher and easily work with sewing patterns (including how to assemble digital patterns).
✂ How to take your measurements, choose a size and do basic pattern modifications to get the best fit.
✂ How to prepare fabric and cut out your pattern with confidence.
✂ Basic hand-sewing skills for a flawless finish.
✂ The key skills to construct the three patterns included with the course, including zippers, pockets, facings, waistbands, hems, darts, sleeves, buttons and buttonholes, among many more!
ABOUT THE PATTERNS INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE
The skills you will learn in this class will help you sew any pattern from any company you desire, but we wanted to include three simple-to-make patterns to help get you started (together they retail for $42 but are included with your enrolment). Our Rome Pattern Collection is designed for beginners in mind, designed to be mixed and matched endlessly to create a chic, modern capsule wardrobe. All pattern are available in our two size ranges: 0-20 and 14-30.
Our Fiore Skirt is a classic A-line skirt with a twist; choose between a simple flared skirt, elegant asymmetrical wrap or picnic worthy button front option. Our Cielo Top & Dress has a modern, boxy shape with multiple lengths and sleeve options. Finally, our Pietra Pants & Shorts are the comfy but sophisticated stuff of dreams, with a sleek, panelled flat front and elastic waist in the back for the ultimate in comfort.
In the second section of this workshop, follow along with Heather as she walks you through the main techniques of each pattern on camera. Whether you make one pattern or all three, by the end of this course you will have the skills to tackle future sewing projects with ease. Available as digital files, each pattern includes annotated instructions that refer back to useful course content, ensuring you are learning how to work with a typical pattern while developing the skills you need to sew like a pro. Prefer a paper pattern? Visit the Getting Started section of the course for a 50% discount on printed versions of the patterns!
ALSO INCLUDED:
- The Fiore Skirt, Pietra Pants & Shorts and Cielo Top & Dress in PDF format, including in-depth instruction booklets with annotated notes to help you follow along while watching the course.
- A downloadable guide that accompanies the video content, which includes helpful resources like an anatomy of your sewing machine, sewing machine needle chart, and fabric and terminology cheat sheets.
- Detailed supply guide to help you source fabric and supplies.
- Resource list to additional helpful books and online tutorials.
COURSE BENEFITS
✂ Learn anytime, on any device, with unlimited access.
✂ Self-paced lessons mean you decide when the course begins and ends, and how many times you watch it over again.
✂ Helpful tips, techniques, and methods for making your own clothes from an industry expert.
✂ Acquire sewing skills that are transferrable and can be built upon in future sewing projects.
✂ Get additional help! You can always count on a response from Heather when you leave a comment or question in the lesson.
Your Instructor
Heather Lou is a pattern designer, blogger, and sewing educator for the modern maker. As the force behind Closet Core Patterns, she has been writing about sewing for over ten years, and has taught thousands of people to sew, both online and in her sold-out sewing workshops across North America & Europe. Her work has been featured in Threads, Sew News, Seamwork, Love Sewing and Sewing World magazine.
With her contagiously positive attitude, Heather’s teaching style is fun and filled with helpful tips and techniques to help you transform the outfits in your imagination into a self-made wardrobe you love -- not one you’re limited to buying off the rack.
Keep in touch with Heather over on the popular Closet Core Patterns blog.
Sewing isn't just a tremendously fulfilling hobby - it's a gateway to loving body acceptance, creative superpowers you never knew existed, and a soothing, mindful practice that helps you escape the ceaseless parade of fast fashion.
Learning to sew will -- seriously -- change your life.
TESTIMONIALS FOR CLOSET CASE PATTERNS WORKSHOPS
This has been the richest sewing learning experience I've ever had. I feel like I've had personal by my side tuition. I can hardly believe I am sitting here in my sewing room in Auckland, New Zealand, looking at a Blazer which looks pretty damn close to the course samples and rivals anything I am seeing in RTW. I feel really proud of what I have have accomplished. A big bouquet to Heather and her team!
This workshop has significantly upgraded my garment sewing skill set. Up to this point, I have confidently sewn many professional looking garments, but this is the next step into an actual professionally sewn garment.
I was so inspired by the feedback on my muslin.Heather's guidance helped me make the right alterations and her encouragement gave me even more motivation. Although I am a perfectionist,I appreciated her belief that each sewist decides when their work is complete.I feel I worked toward and exceeded my Personal Best!
Class Curriculum
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StartIntroduction (4:49)
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StartLesson One: Understanding Your Sewing Machine (40:06)
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StartLesson Two: Your Sewing Space & Tool Kit (49:52)
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StartLesson Three: How to Sew (38:29)
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StartLesson Four: Basic Stitches, Techniques & Seam finishes (53:46)
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StartLesson Five: Understanding Fabric & Interfacing (30:05)
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StartLesson Six: Understanding Sewing Patterns (22:52)
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StartLesson Seven: Choosing a Size & Basic Fitting (29:59)
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StartLesson Eight: How to Cut Fabric (37:38)
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StartLesson Nine: Handsewing (12:49)
FAQ
Q: I’m psyched about making my own clothes! How do I sign up to get started?
A: Welcome to the course that will easily teach you to make your own clothes! To get sewing, click on the button at the top or bottom of this page, and you’ll be enrolled immediately.
Q: When does the course start and finish?
A: The beauty of Closet Case Patterns’ online courses is that you call the shots on when they begin and end. Learn to Sew Clothing is a completely self-paced, online course, which means you get to decide when you start, when you finish, and how many times you replay it.
Q: What will I need to get started?
A: Before you get started, we’ll share a complete supply list, along with information about where and how to source everything on said list. At the very least, you’ll need a sewing machine, iron, scissors, pins, marking tool and fabric.
Q: How long does the course take to complete?
A: It’s up to you! To give you an idea of how long the entire course is start to finish, the first section of "beginner basics" runs just over 5 hours long and comprises 9 lessons total. The second section, which focuses on specific techniques for each pattern, has a runtime of 3.5 hours. Binge watch them in a weekend, or do a little at a time. You can return to the course as many times as you’d like, and there’s no time limit for you to complete in.
Q: How do I get my free patterns?
A: Once you enroll in the course, you’ll be able to download a PDF copy of each pattern. Head to the “Getting Started” session to download it to your device of choice.
Q: Can I use any pattern when following along with course?
A: This course covers everything you need to know to sew your clothes, so feel free to use any pattern you like when following along! The second section focuses on techniques specific to the the three included patterns, but these tutorials can be applied to other patterns as well.
Q: What if I want a printed pattern?
A: If you’d like a print copy of the Fiore, Pietra or Cielo, we offer a 50% discount to all class participants. Visit the “Getting Started” section and follow the instructions to get your copy.
Q: How long can I access the course?
A: All day, ‘erryday. But for real, this course includes lifetime access. After you enroll, the course is yours, which means you’ve got unlimited access for as long as you like, across all devices for all of eternity.