July 18th Sew Underwear & Swim Workshop

If you've always wanted to tackle sewing your own underwear or swimwear this is the perfect place to start! In this workshop we'll work through general underwear & swimsuit construction using a standard domestic sewing machine*. DESCRIPTION: Skills you'll learn in this workshop: Reading sewing patterns and size charts. Understanding important measurements for choosing the correct size. Laying out and cutting sewing patterns. Underwear and swim construction including options for seam construction and finishing. We'll also cover lots of options for waist and leg opening finishing. This class is designed for a standard sewing machine (needs a zig-zag stitch). WHEN: Saturday July 18th 10am - 4pm. PATTERN: For this class we are leaving the pattern up to you, so you have the freedom to choose the underwear or swimsuit cut you prefer. We highly recommend a simple pattern, as the class is focused on the most common construction techniques. UNDERWEAR: we recommend a pattern with standard construction with a front piece, back piece and crotch gusset. Below is a list of possible options. Paper Theory (medium rise basic underwear; size 6-20) Megan Neilson Acacia (low rise bikini cut; size 0-30) Muna and Broad Kapunda (Very high rise brief; 41.5" to 70" hip measurement) Primrose Dawn Hellebore (high cut; 44" to 60" hip measurement) Masculine option: Wardrobe By Me Boxer Briefs (2XS - 4XL). Note: the construction method will differ slightly, but we'll make it work! SWIMSUITS: We recommend simple two piece or a simple one piece suit with front and back pieces, straps and optional lining. Please note we will not be covering techniques for internal bra structures, ruching, ruffles, or any added detailing. Below is a list of possible options. Please select a patten similar in simplicity to these options. Helen's Closet Sandpiper (two piece, sizes 0-34 up to a 62″ chest/hip) Closet Core Faye (both one piece & two piece, sizes 0-32 up to a 63" hip) Megan Nielson Cottesloe (both one piece & two piece, sizes 0-34 up to a 62" hip) FABRIC: Underwear are a great scrap buster or upcycling project! If you've got a stack of leftover knit scraps this is a great way to use them up. Please note the knit you choose should be pretty lightweight (no heavier than t-shirt Jersey) and it needs to have minimum 30% stretch. We have several options in store as well. For Swim, you'll generally need swimsuit lycra with 4-way stretch (at least 50% crosswise stretch) to be confirmed with your pattern. We do not currently have swimsuit fabric in stock. ELASTIC & THREAD: We have included these in the price of the workshop. No need to buy in advance. We will have several colours of soft elastic in store for underwear and we have 6mm & 19mm chlorine resistant elastic for swimwear. OTHER INFO: Participants will need to bring their sewing machines* and accessories (don't forget your manual, power cord, pins and extra machine needles!). Please also bring all your personal sewing tools (seam ripper, snips, tape measure, scissors, etc). Sewists must be comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine and have spent some time using their machine for simple projects. This class is suited for any sewist with a little experience under their belt! Minimum age is 16 years. *Please ensure your sewing machine is in good working order and has a zig-zag stitch. We request that you bring all your machine accessories and manual.