Here is a quick diagram and some fabric terms and vocabulary for anyone in my beginning sewing class.
If you are already in my free beginning sewing class, I hope it’s going well. If you aren’t, you can find us here. I’d love to have you join us!
With most of us staying home over the next few weeks practicing some social distancing, I thought I’d bring the sewing classes to you . You can find my Social Distancing Sewing Classes on Facebook at the link below. These are beginner classes, and they do build on each other, but you can jump in at any time and catch up.
Here’s the plan: around 11 am (CST) each day next week, I’ll bring you a short sewing lesson. I’m planning on these running for at least a week.
You won’t need much to get started, just your sewing machine and any of the goodies it came with. I will be posting a basic supply list in the next few hours. I will have supply kits to offer you that can be mailed USPS Priority tomorrow (or dropped off in Shreveport. I’ll leave them by your front door to avoid extra germs.) You are also welcome to grab your supplies on your own. You’ll need these items by Thursday.
To join in these sewing classes on Facebook, please join the NNB Sewing Class FB group.
Here’s the class schedule:
Monday, March 16 Introductions and Supply Basics
Tuesday, March 17 Winding Bobbins, Threading Your Machine, and Selecting Needles/Fabrics
Wednesday, March 18 Sewing a Seam
Thursday, March 19 A Basic Pillowcase
Friday, March 20 On-line Patterns
I’m starting a new Learn to Sew series through LSUS Continuing Ed in March. These classes are all stand-alone classes and designed for you to join in at your current sewing ability. Sign up here.
If you’ve never sewn before, or if your sewing machine is new to you, start with:
If you already know how to thread your machine, but you’re wanting to learn more:
Ready to make a skirt that fits you beautifully? Let’s get started. You’ll need your measurements, some freezer paper or tissue paper, and a ruler. A dressmakers’ curve would also be helpful, but it’s not totally necessary.
Here’s my sloper. I use two pieces of freezer paper taped together for the width.
So here’s how you do it:
1. Draw a rectangle. The rectangle should be as long as your waist to hem measurement and as wide as 1/2 your widest width.
2. Draw a line from top to bottom down the center of your rectangle. Draw a second line across your rectangle at your hip measure. This line should be down from the top the distance of your waist to hip measurement.
3. Now we are going to start drawing the waist. Divide your waist measurement by 4. Add 1 5/8 inch to this measurement. Make a mark that distance from the LEFT edge along the top. Draw a small line up 5/8 inch up from there. Now, add 7/8 inch to 1/4 your waist measure. Make a mark that distance from the RIGHT edge along the top. Draw another small line up 5/8 inch from that point.
4. Now we need to create our waist curve using these new lines. Draw a curving line from the center of each narrow rectangle to connect with the top of the small line you drew up from the waist line. A dressmaker’s curve will help, but if you don’t have one, just do your best.
5. Time to connect your waist to your hips. Your waist to hip line may have more curve than mine. That’s fine if it does. That’s why we are making our own personal skirt pattern. To do this, draw a slightly curved line from the top of your waistline to your hip point (where your hip line intersects your midline). Mine is almost straight because my waist is not a whole lot smaller than my hips. Yours may be.
6. Time to draw the darts. The darts are how this flat piece will fit our curves. Let’s work on the darts on the left first. Divide your waist measurement by 12. Measure in this distance from the left edge. Draw a line 5.5 inches down from this point. For the second back dart, divide your waist measurement by 6. Draw a line 5 inches down from this point. Now for the front darts. Draw a line 4 inches down, 4 inches from the right edge.
7. Now to make these lines into darts, just draw triangles. The base of each triangle is 5/8 inch wide and is centered over your dart line. The base is along your waistline and the point of the triangle should touch the bottom of your dart line. 
8. Almost done! Label your sloper. Here are the labels I use.
So…how’d you do?
Here’s your assignment for next time:
1. Cut out your sloper. Don’t forget to cut down that center line, separating your front and back pieces.
2. Trace both pieces of your sloper onto another sheet and add 1 inch around each piece. Be sure to trace your darts too.
3. Grab some fabric to make a muslin (a practice skirt). You can raid your stash or grab something from the remnant bin at your favorite shop. You’ll need 1 1/2-2 yards (basically, 2 x your waist to hip measure).
I’m so excited about our March Sewing Day! I’ll be at Lil’ Miss Priss on Thursday, March 13 offering 3 45-min sewing tutorials! You can join me for 1, 2, or all 3. Here’s the schedule:
11:00 What size should I sew?
12:00 Twin needle sewing
1:00 Hemming feet
Message me to reserve your spot!
So…you know how to thread your machine and sew a simple straight stitch. Are you ready to learn something new? Maybe ruffles and topstitching? Then here’s the class for you:
What Else Can Your Machine Do?
Monday, March 10
9am-noon
@LSUS.
Sign up here.
