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Gift Certificates Available!
Gift the gift of sewing with a certificate for lessons with Better Living Through Sewing. For private lessons go to this page, then click on the PayPal button for 2, 4 or 8 hours of instruction. Any of the classes listed below can also be given as a gift, just specify that you want a certificate sent to you in the “notes” section when you make your payment.
All classes are held at the Better Living Through Sewing studio in North Oakland @ 40th and Broadway. Exact address will be given upon registration.
Don’t have a PayPal account? To pay via check, or for any questions, email Better Living Through Sewing or call 510-681-3779.
Private Lessons are also available–click here to find out more.
Have a Trubates voucher? Click here.
The Ins and Outs of Commercial Patterns
Cost: $150 ($160 if you rent a machine)
Four class series limited to 5 students.
Four Saturdays, February 11-March 3, 2-5 pm–FULL, email info@betterlivingthroughsewing.com to get on the wait list.
Four Tuesdays, February 21-March 13, 6-9 pm–5 spaces left
Four Sundays, March 18-April 1, 2-5 pm–5 spaces left
Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Prerequisite: No prior sewing experience required. Perfect for beginners.
Class description: This comprehensive class is perfect for total beginners, those needing a brush-up, and those who want to venture into the world of garment-making. First, we’ll go over the attachments and tools used in garment sewing, how to sew a straight seam, backstitch, machine tension and troubleshooting. You’ll learn how to take your measurements and purchase the correct pattern for your size, determine the yardage needed, and choose a zipper and notions. Fabric types will be discussed: Knits vs. wovens, fiber types and that confusing term, “nap”!
In the second session you’ll make any needed pattern alterations, then you’ll learn pattern layout and cutting techniques. In the 3rd and 4th sessions you’ll construct and finish a simple skirt or pair of pants including zipper installation, darts, fine-tuning the fit, and hemming. You’ll leave with a completed garment and the skills to make more!
Before registering, please read my cancellation/refund policies here.
Intro to the Machine
 Photo by Pamela Sharma ThursdayJanuary 26, 6-9 pm-5 spaces left
Saturday January 28, 2-5 pm–FULL, email to get on the wait list.
Tuesday February 7, 6-9 pm–3 spaces left
Sunday February 19, 2-5 pm–1 space left
Monday February 27, 6-9 pm-6 spaces left
Sunday March 4, 2-5 pm-6 spaces left
email: info@betterlivingthroughsewing.com
Level: Beginner
Cost: $55; $5 extra to rent a machine
Class description: In this beginner-level class, you’ll learn sewing machine threading, operation, troubleshooting and the most often-used presser feet. One-and four-step buttonholes will be covered. We’ll go over the differences in needle and thread types, how to sew a perfectly straight seam and turn corners, backstitch, and finish and press seams. You’ll learn to sew, stuff and close a simple pillow, and leave with skills to get you started on more projects! Three machines are available for student use for $5 extra.
Hemming & Alterations
One-session class limited to 4 students.
MondayFebruary 6, 6-9 pm–4 spaces left
Cost: $55; $5 extra to rent a machine
Got a closet full of clothes you don’t wear because they just don’t fit properly? In this class we’ll go over techniques to take in and let out skirts, dresses, pants and shirts, as well as hemming sleeves, shirts and 3 types of hems: Blind, rolled and mock cuff. Bring a few garments that don’t fit and we’ll make them more flattering! Basic machine skills required.
Flat Pattern Design and Manipulation
Two-class series for all sewing levels, limited to 8 students.
Tuesdays,January 24 and 31, 6-9 pm–7 spaces left
Cost: $75
Class is taught by Barbara Beccio
Bored with commercial patterns? Design your own! Using a flat pattern for a bodice and skirt in 1/4 scale, you will learn how to change the basic pattern shapes by cutting and spreading and/or changing the dart placement. Once you understand the principles of manipulating the basic pattern, many new styles can be created. Come with your ideas and leave with techniques to bring them to life!
Altering Patterns to Fit
SaturdayMarch 11, 11 am-1pm–6 spaces left
Cost:$40
Do you have problems with fitting patterns, or have a figure that doesn’t fit the “standard” fit model measurements? Learn to alter patterns to fit your body. Bring 1 or 2 basic patterns (blouse, skirt, pants or jacket) and we’ll cut and paste them to make a more flattering fit.
Copy a Garment
Four-session class limited to 5 students.
Sundays February 12-March 4, 10:30 am-1:30 pm–4 spaces left
Cost: $150 ($160 if you use my machine)
prerequisite: Intro to the Machine or basic sewing skills. Experience cutting out patterns helpful but not required
 The dress on the left was copied from a vintage slip on the right Got a favorite garment that’s wearing out or that you want in different colors? Copy it!
In this class we’ll take a garment (pants, jeans, skirt or blouse) and make a pattern from it WITHOUT taking it apart. Bring 2 or 3 simple garments to the class to choose from. You’ll make a pattern from it and go on to cut, sew and finish a new version of the garment in fabric of your choosing. Alteration techniques to make the new garment fit better will also be covered, as well as minor alterations you can make to change its look.
Jackets and Coats
Sundays February 12-March 4, 10:30 am-1:30 pm–4 spaces left
Cost: $150 ($160 if you use my machine)
prerequisite: Ins and Outs of Commercial Patterns and/or experience cutting out patterns and basic machine skills.
Make a gorgeous winter coat or jacket from a commercial pattern in this informative and challenging class. Collars, closures, linings, sleeve insertion, blind hemming and altering patterns will be covered, based on your project. Learn techniques that take your skills to the next level.
Paper Tape Dress Form Class
Saturday March 10, 1-5 pm
Cost: $75 includes materials
Prerequisite: no experience required!
Custom-made dress forms can cost hundreds of dollars, but in this class you’ll collaborate with others to make a paper tape duplicate of yourself at a fraction of the cost. Paper tape is applied while damp and hardens to form a solid form that you can pin fabric onto. It holds up to heat and time better than duct tape and won’t lose its shape. We’ll also make a stand for the dress form from pvc pipe. Bring comfortable shoes and a long t-shirt. Please note: This class involves standing for long periods of time, up to an hour and 15 minutes, while you are wrapped in paper tape. Please sign up if you are able to do so without problems.
Block Quilt
four-session class limited to 3 students.
No class scheduled at this time; email info@betterlivingthroughsewing.com to request
Cost: $150, $10 extra to rent a machine
prerequisite: Intro to the Machine or equivalent experience.
In this beginner quilting class, we’ll create a baby or lap quilt (about 45″ x 45″) using the block (square) technique. Quilt design, piecing, pressing, design, batting, binding and tying will be covered. Make an heirloom quilt for yourself or as a gift for a loved one and leave with skills to make more! Supply list emailed upon registration.
Do-It-Yourself Silkscreened Tshirts
One three-hour class limited to 8 students.
Wednesday November 16, 6-9 pm–7 spaces left
Cost: $40 includes materials
Class is taught by Pam Ybanez.
This DIY Screen Print Workshop will teach you the process of screen printing from start to finish. You’ll learn how to make a screen from scratch, attach a pattern/design, and pull your image using simple materials. By the end of the workshop you’ll be going home with your own uniquely designed t-shirt and re-usable screen. Best of all, you’ll go home with instructions on how you can do it again and print on many surfaces.
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"I really found the time I spent with you valuable in current projects as well as giving me the confidence to work on different types of projects. I am so pleased that I can now sew a button hole! Thanks so much."
–Jessica S., Better Living Through Sewing student
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Sewing Instruction, San Francisco