Get ready for a sewing experience like no other with Sit and Sew Social! It’s not just a sewing class, it’s a fantastic opportunity to indulge in your love for sewing while enjoying the company of fellow sewers. Picture yourself sipping on a steaming cup of tea, having a friendly chat, and stitching away, all while mastering a wide array of exciting sewing skills. Your class tutor is all about flexibility and creating a vibrant atmosphere where everyone can work at their own pace. Whether you’re a beginner itching to thread your first needle, a seasoned professional looking for fresh inspiration, or a future fashion designer harbouring dreams of launching your own clothing business, Sit and Sew Social offers the perfect environment.

This class is designed to cater to all skill levels and you’ll have the invaluable support and guidance of our experienced tutor every step of the way. Bring your current projects or dive into new ones during the class it’s completely up to you! You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish with the right encouragement and expert tips. Your tutor is here to help you unlock the full potential of your sewing machine too! You’ll uncover a treasure trove of sewing machine knowledge that will take your skills to the next level. But wait, there’s more! Prepare to be blown away by captivating demonstrations of cuttingedge techniques and jaw-dropping sewing hacks. No matter what project you’re working on, your tutor will be right there to provide personalized advice and assistance. Whether you’re stitching up fashionable adult clothing, adorable children’s outfits, comfy stretch fabrics, stylish homewares, or even crafting something special for your furry friends, this class has got you covered. Don’t miss out on this fabulous opportunity to sew, mingle, and have a blast! Enrol today and join us in this exciting, fun-filled class. You can jump in at any time, and no previous sewing experience is necessary. Get ready to unleash your creativity and make lifelong sewing buddies along the way!

Course Outline:

Lesson 1 & 2: Unlock Your Machine

• Discover the ins and outs of your machine
• Master machine set-up and thread tension
• Learn maintenance tips and tricks
• Embrace the power of different stitches

Lesson 3 & 4: Seams and Finishing Finesse

• Master the perfect seams and finishes
• Unleash the art of hemming

Lesson 5 & 6: Pattern Play and Cutting Wizardry

• Explore the world of commercial patterns and decode pattern terminology
• Select suitable fabrics based on pattern requirements
• Learn efficient cutting techniques, especially for tricky fabrics

Lesson 7 & 8: Machine Magic Unleashed

• Master machine techniques for your chosen project
• Master the art of specialised techniques that can be applied to your chosen project
• Explore versatile applications that will take your projects to new heights

Lessons 9 & 10: Unleash Your Creativity with your Individual Project

• Apply techniques relevant to your project
• Master the art of stylist closures such as buttonholes, zippers, hooks and eyes and magnetic closures
• Explore suitable hems for your project such as single hems, double hems, blind hems, rolled hem, bias bound hem, lettuce hem, hand rolled hem, faced hem, hand rolled hem and decorative hem.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop proficiency in accurate measuring and pattern selection
• Make informed fabric choices by understanding fabric suitability for specific patterns
• Demonstrate proper fabric preparation techniques and cutting correctly with the grainline
• Operate sewing machines effectively, including threading, tension adjustment, stitch selection, edging, and troubleshooting.
• Create various types of seams, hems, and closures to enhance garment construction.
• Maintain and make necessary adjustments to sewing machines for optimal performance.
• Acquire basic sewing and pattern cutting skills to confidently handle sewing projects.
• Successfully complete garment construction from start to finish.

What to bring:

To ensure you’re fully prepared for an amazing sewing adventure, here’s a handy checklist of items to bring:

• Sewing Machine: If you have your own sewing machine, bring it along with all the accessories that came with it. Don’t forget your pedal, power cord and instruction manual for reference and note-taking during class. If you can’t find your manual its ok you can download a copy online.
• College Machines: If you don’t have your own machine, you are welcome to use one of the college machines and explore the different features they offer. It’s a great opportunity to learn before making a purchase.
• Thread: Pack one spool of either polyester Gutermann thread or Rasant thread (avoid birch threads). These high-quality threads will ensure smooth and reliable stitching

throughout your projects.

• Bobbin: Remember to bring an empty bobbin that belongs to your machine. It’s essential for winding and using the thread of your choice, if you are using a class machine

please purchase some Janome clear bobbins.

• Glass Head Pins: These are high quality pins and perfect for dressmaking as you can iron over them.
• Scissors: Don’t forget a pair of fabric scissors for precise cutting and paper scissors to cut interfacing & paper.
• Notepad and Pen: Keep a notepad and pen ready to write down important tips, ideas, and inspiration that come your way during class.

About the Tutor:

'I have accumulated over 25 years of extensive experience in the field of sewing. Teaching individuals of all skill levels brings me immense satisfaction, whether they are beginners taking their first steps in the world of sewing or advanced students seeking to enhance their skills further. I also enjoy teaching children’s classes and providing guidance to HSC students as they embark on their final textiles projects. My journey has been enriched by owning and operating my own sewing store. This venture has allowed me to access specialized training and delve into unique sewing skills and techniques while continuously pursuing training on various sewing machine brands and overlockers.

I am devoted and recognize the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest sewing trends, techniques, and advancements in machinery. I constantly make a commitment to ongoing training and professional development that enables me to offer the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge to my students. Furthermore, I am a happy, fun, caring tutor that’s driven by the desire to preserve and invigorate the sewing industry for future generations to enjoy. My extensive experience, passion for teaching, constant pursuit of knowledge, and dedication to the sewing industry positions me as a reliable and enthusiastic guide on your sewing journey. Join me, Claudia, as we embark on a rewarding and fulfilling sewing adventure.' Claudia

Tutor Qualifications:

• Certificate III in applied Fashion Design & Technology – Ultimo TAFE
• Statement of attainment Screen printing – St George TAFE
• NSW TEXStyle Teachers training Certificate – Technology Educators Association
• Statement of attainment in History of fashion – Ultimo Tafe
• Sewing Machine mechanic training level 1 and 2 – Husqvarna Viking
• Overlockers Mechanic Technical training – Husqvarna Viking
• SVP Technical Electronic Certificate – Husqvarna Viking
• TCF Fashion Growth workshop – St George & Sutherland shire Business enterprise centre
• Bachelor of Arts Components -UWS
• Specialist workplace training Disabilities Category 1 – First Contact
• Sign Language and the Deaf Community – Auslan 1

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.