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? When paying via check, you can reserve your space in class by paying 1/2 tuition now and 1/2 when you attend class.
To pay via check, or for any questions, email Better Living Through Sewing or call 510-985-0997.
To get on my email list for notification of specials and upcoming classes, fill out this handy form!
Beginner Level Classes
Introduction to the Machine
Monday March 8, 6-9 pm
OR
Sunday March 21, 2-5 pm
OR
Wednesday March 31, 6-9 pm
OR
Sunday April 4, 10-1 pm
Level: Beginner
Cost: $55; $5 extra to rent a machine
Class description: You’ll learn the basics of sewing machine threading, operation, troubleshooting and attachments. We’ll go over the differences in needle and thread types, how to sew a perfectly straight seam and turn corners. You’ll make a basic pillow, and leave with skills to get you started on more projects! Two machines are available for student use for $5 extra.
Supply list: Bring your machine, any attachments that came with it and its manual, 1/2 yard of non-stretch woven material (no slinky, silky, furry, velvet or knit fabrics please!) and all-purpose thread to match.
The Ins and Outs of Commercial Patterns
Four class series limited to 3 students.
Saturdays 2-5 pm March 20 to April 10–1 spot left
OR
Thursdays 6-9 pm March 18-April 8th–3 spots left
OR
Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Cost: $140 ($150 if you use my machine)
Class description: This class is perfect for total beginners or those needing a brush-up. First, we’ll go over the attachments and tools used in sewing, how to sew a straight seam, backstitch and turn corners, and machine tension and troubleshooting. From there you’ll go on to take your measurements and purchase fabric and a pattern. Then you’ll cut, construct and alter a simple skirt or pair of pants, install a zipper and create a rolled hem. You’ll leave with a completed garment and the skills to make more!
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Classes
Copy A Garment
Four-session class: Saturdays April 24-May 15, 2:30-5:30 pm
Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Cost: $140 (Bring your own machine or rent mine for $10 more.)
OR, take just the first class for $40 if you only want to make a pattern from the garment.
The dress on the left was copied from a vintage slip on the right
Got a favorite garment that’s wearing out? Make a copy! In this class we’ll take a garment (pants, jeans, skirt or blouse) and make a pattern from it. In the following classes you’ll cut it out, make any alterations, and sew it up in subsequent classes. Bring 1 or 2 garments to the first class. You’ll get started on construction and leave with a pattern to make more favorites in new fabric.
Materials: Bring 1 or 2 garments to copy, 2.5 yards of washed and dried material similar to the original fabric, pins, thread and any other notions required (zipper, buttons, interfacing etc.)
Advanced Commercial Patterns: Shirts and Dresses
Wednesdays April 7-28, 6-9pm
Level: Advanced beginner/intermediate
Cost: $140; $150 with machine rental
This class is a great follow-up to Ins and Outs of Commercial Patterns. Take your sewing up a level and learn to make a dress or shirt from a pattern. Collars, cuffs, darts, sleeve insets, invisible zippers, facings, front plackets (where the shirt/dress buttons up ), and altering patterns are some of the topics that may be covered.
Open Sewing Labs
Sunday March 14, 2 pm to 5 pm
Level: All skill levels welcome.
Cost: $35; machine available for $5 extra
Class description: Got projects you want help finishing? Need a hand with something you’re stuck on? Bring it to a Sunday Sewing Lab and get expert assistance! Diana will be on hand to help with machine problems and tricky spots.
Revamped and Recycled
Friday March 26, 2-5 pm
OR
Sunday April 11, 2-5 pm
Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Cost: $50; $55 if you rent a machine
Class description: Ever wonder what to do with those clothes that no longer fit, are partially worn out, or are just not right for you? in this creative class we’ll take two or more garments and mash them up to make something totally new. Design new sweaters, skirts, and dresses on the fly! Combining garments and creative cutting and finishing will be covered. Bring 2 to 4 garments and your sewing machine and creativity, leave with a new garment (or two)! Two machines are available for student use.
Baby Block Quilt
Wednesdays March 17-31, 6-9 pm
Cost: $100, $10 extra to rent a machine
In this beginner quilting class, we’ll create a baby or lap quilt using the block (square) technique. Quilt design, piecing, pressing, design, batting, binding and tying will be covered. Make an heirloom quilt for yourself or a loved one!
Sunday March 28, 10-1 pm
Level:Advanced beginner/intermediate
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 a basic pants hem. Bring a few garments that don’t fit and we’ll make them more flattering!
Hem Me In!
Sunday March 28, 2:30-5 pm
Cost: $35, $40 with machine
Sick of spending money at the cleaners? Learn to hem in a variety of styles yourself and save big bucks! In this class we’ll cover blind hemming by machine and by hand, rolled and handkerchief hems on the machine, mock cuffs, hem tape, the “original hem” and hemming knits. You’ll leave with a sampler of a variety of hems and a new arsenal of hem techniques.
Special offer! Take “Hem Me In” and “Basic Alterations” together and save $15!
All Level Classes
Paper Tape Dress Form Class
Sunday February 28, 2-5:30 pm
Cost: $75 includes materials
All skill levels welcome.
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. 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 only if you are able to do so without problems.
Gift Certificates Available!
Gift the gift of sewing with a certificate for lessons with Better Living Through Sewing. For private lessons just click on the paypal button for 2, 4 or 8 hours of instruction. Or, any of the classes listed below can be given as a gift, just specify that you want a certificate sent to you in the “notes” section when you make your payment.
