Sewing for Beginners I - Learn All the Basics to Get You Started Creating!

Students can start to enjoy a wonderful form of self-expression by learning the basics of sewing and creating two simple projects.  In this 6-week class, we will learn about everything we need to know to get started sewing by hand and sewing on a sewing machine. This is a hands-on class that will require some tools including a simple sewing machine (week 4) and some basic sewing supplies. I will sew along with students demonstrating with close-up images, practicing, and creating a hand-stitched fabric bookmark and a machine stitched reusable snack bag. No prior knowledge is required, but adult supervision is required for some tasks. Please be advised that students will be using sharp objects, pins and needles and will need to press seams with an iron.

Week 1 – Tools of the trade/Your beginning sewing kit
•	Pins and needles
•	Measuring tools
•	Cutting tools
•	Pressing tools
•	Basic Sewing Machine
Week 2 – Fabric 
•	Types of Fabric
•	Warp and Weft and other parts of a piece of fabric
•	Yardage and how it is measured
•	Using a pattern
•	Measuring correctly/practice
Week 3 – Hand Sewing
•	Threading the needle
•	Securing the thread
•	5 Hand stitches and French Knot
•	Hand-stitched bookmark
Week 4 – Anatomy of a Sewing Machine
•	Basic parts of all machines- Sewing machines have feet??
•	Machine Needles
•	Threading the machine
•	Filling and loading a bobbin
•	Getting the tension right
Week 5 – Getting Started
•	Straight Stitch and zigzag stitch
•	Importance of backstitch
•	Sewing and pressing a seam
•	Turning a corner
•	Tips for success
Week 6 – Machine project/Reusable snack bag
•	Cutting the pieces
•	Step by step guide to sewing the bag
•	Attaching a Velcro fastener
•	Sharing the finished products
•	Reviewing what we have learned