Sewing For Beginners
Always wanted to learn to sew? Come along to this fun class and make your own tote bag and apron (for evening classes) or tote bag and hat (for weekend classes) while learning the basics of sewing. Bring your own material etc. Two patterns are prepared and supplied by the teacher. A charge for this is included within the course fee. This course is offered as either an evening or weekend course. Read below for more details.
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Mon 21 Jul8 weeks, Mondays 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Karen Balmer
Apron and Tote Evening Course
- $209.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Mon 21 Jul 19:00 - Mon 21 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Mon 28 Jul 19:00 - Mon 28 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Mon 04 Aug 19:00 - Mon 04 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Mon 11 Aug 19:00 - Mon 11 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Mon 18 Aug 19:00 - Mon 18 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Mon 25 Aug 19:00 - Mon 25 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Mon 01 Sep 19:00 - Mon 01 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Mon 08 Sep 19:00 - Mon 08 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Event is fullJoin waiting listPlease note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Sat 27 SepFull weekend, Saturday and Sunday 9:30AM - 4:30PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Karen Balmer
Hat & Tote Weekend Workshop
- $209.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 27 Sep 09:30 - Sat 27 Sep 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 28 Sep 09:30 - Sun 28 Sep 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Mon 06 Oct8 weeks, Mondays 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (No class Labour Day, 27 October) At Selwyn College, Auckland. Karen Balmer
Apron and Tote Evening Course
- $209.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Mon 06 Oct 19:00 - Mon 06 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Mon 13 Oct 19:00 - Mon 13 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Mon 20 Oct 19:00 - Mon 20 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Mon 03 Nov 19:00 - Mon 03 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Mon 10 Nov 19:00 - Mon 10 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Mon 17 Nov 19:00 - Mon 17 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Mon 24 Nov 19:00 - Mon 24 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Mon 01 Dec 19:00 - Mon 01 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
This course is designed for those new to sewing and will teach fundamental sewing skills while making a tote bag and an apron. At the conclusion of the course you will be confident at the machine, and will have completed two practical garments.
Expected learning outcomes for Sewing For Beginners
In this class you will learn how to:
- thread and use a sewing machine
- lay out and cut your fabric
- sew a garment together
You will learn lots of helpful tips along the way about design, fabric, and construction techniques. If there is time, we will make a bucket hat or you may choose to make another tote or apron.
Materials and what to bring (varies for evening and weekend courses)
The tote and apron patterns will be supplied and your course fee includes a charge for this. You will need to bring pins, fabric, thread, interfacing, etc. Course options:
- 2025: Mondays 7 - 9 pm starting 10 February
- 2025: Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm 1 & 2 March 2025 Hat & Tote
- 2025: Mondays 7 - 9 pm starting 28 April
- 2025: Mondays 7 - 9pm starting 21 July
- 2025: Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm 27 & 28 September 2025 Hat & Tote
- 2025: Mondays 7 - 9 pm starting 6 October
Evening course
Full details on how to choose materials will be provided on Week 1 so bring a pad and paper to class. Your first night will focus on familiarisation with the sewing machines and learning basic sewing skills. Karen will discuss suitable fabrics and interfacing options with you, how much you will need, and the best places to shop.
Weekend course apron and tote
You'll need to bring your sewing kits, fabric (2.5 metres - cotton, drill, or duck, avoid stripes, patterns) and haberdashery on the first morning. Full details are supplied in the course instructions emailed upon registration. Bring your lunch each day. Tea and coffee is supplied.
Weekend course hat and tote
You'll need to bring your sewing kits, fabric (1.5 metres - cotton, drill, or duck, avoid stripes, patterns) and haberdashery on the first morning. Full details are supplied in the course instructions emailed upon registration. Bring your lunch each day. Tea and coffee is supplied.
Equipment
Our sewing room is equipped with domestic Bernina sewing machines which are available for you to use during class. You may prefer to bring your own machine to get familiar with its operation. For further information, please call the office on 5219623. There are scissors (fabric and paper), measuring tapes etc in the sewing room to use during class, but we recommend that you bring your own kit as follows. We will discuss your sewing kit on the first week, and the best places to shop for various items.
- Tailors chalk or fabric marking pen
- Pins
- Fabric scissors
- Small scissors or snips
- Unpicker/stitch remover
- Your own bobbin for a Bernina machine (or to suit your own machine if you are bringing that)
Follow on courses
This course Sewing for Beginners will give you the necessary skills and knowledge to attend our Sewing - Next Steps course where you will develop your skills by making a simple skirt or pants. Later, you may be interested in Pattern Alteration and Design or one of Karen's other weekend sewing workshops with a different project.
People who attended this course also attended...
Sewing Next Steps, Sashiko Stitching, Pattern Alteration and Design
Testimonials
Hi Karen, This is Y here. Last week I have joined your class for 10-11 June weekend. I wanted to say thank you for the wonderful class n great learning for us. I thoroughly enjoyed your class. I would love to join advance classes of sewing too. I loved the way you taught n beautiful things you taught us. Please let me know when you have advance classes for sewing. Thanks YG June 2023
