<p>D is seriously interested in learning to sew clothes. Alas, my granny, the last woman who sewed in our family, is long departed. D also wouldn’t mind a few insights on pattern-making as she has an interest in the fashion world.</p>
<p>Any ideas for a summer program that won’t cost the amount of a small auto???</p>
<p>Call your local fabric shop; often they have sewing lessons over the summer or they can direct you to someplace that does give lessons. It’s also possible that a store that sells sewing machines would have classes.</p>
<p>Actually, if your daughter is that interested, she can learn the basics on her own.</p>
<p>When I was 13 I wanted to learn to sew. My mother, who could barely sew on a button, bought me the cheapest sewing machine made by Kenmore, I bought an easy pattern (if you look in the pattern books, there are patterns by every maker labeled, “easy” or “beginner”, and I basically taught myself by reading the pattern instructions and following them to the letter.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>How old is she? If she’s 15 or younger, she should look at Fernwood Cove. It’s an all-girls summer camp in Maine, and they have something called Fabric Arts. You can learn how to sew there and people make all kinds of things like skirts, pj’s, pillow cases, etc. </p>
<p>I’m not really into sewing, and as a whole, the camp is seriously amazing, but I know that Fabric Arts was good because everybody wanted to do it. You should look at this camp, she’ll probably like it. You can PM me if you want for more information about it.</p>
<p>Simplicity has a line of very simple patterns. If she is familiar with how to use a sewing machine, she can likely teach herself.</p>
<p>Thanks, she is 16, a JR in HS.</p>
<p>why would anyone need an expensive summer program to learn to sew? often, local colleges and park systems have classes where people can learn to sew with minimal cost.</p>
<p>I think she is looking more for a pre-college program that might give her an idea of whether she wants to pursue the fashion design aspect of her interests.</p>
<p>To be clearer, somewhere where she would learn to sew but also might begin to pick up how patterns are made, etc.</p>
<p>FIT, Parsons, etc. They both have summer programs.</p>
<p>Parsons requires prior sewing experience I believe. I’ll have her check FIT.</p>
<p>I looked around online a bit for you. Check these out:</p>
<p><a href=“Home - Pre-College Programs for High School Students – Syracuse University”>Home - Pre-College Programs for High School Students – Syracuse University;
<p><a href=“http://www.putneyschool.org/summer/artsdescrip.html[/url]”>http://www.putneyschool.org/summer/artsdescrip.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“SBOBET : Daftar Situs Agen Sbobet | Judi Bola Online Terpercaya”>SBOBET : Daftar Situs Agen Sbobet | Judi Bola Online Terpercaya;
<p><a href=“http://www.moore.edu/index.cfm/nodeID/11de116b-446f-4818-ac59-2dd22fe07dbb/fuseaction/content.page[/url]”>http://www.moore.edu/index.cfm/nodeID/11de116b-446f-4818-ac59-2dd22fe07dbb/fuseaction/content.page</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://webtest.academyart.edu:5009/programs/sumcourses.asp[/url]”>http://webtest.academyart.edu:5009/programs/sumcourses.asp</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.risd.edu/precollege.cfm[/url]”>http://www.risd.edu/precollege.cfm</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.scad.edu/scadatlanta/admission/summer.cfm[/url]”>http://www.scad.edu/scadatlanta/admission/summer.cfm</a></p>
<p>Also look at the summer programs at Parsons, Pratt, and Fashion Institute of Technology. </p>
<p>Before going to these summer programs, your daughter could learn basic sewing in local classes.</p>
<p>my daughter takes “vintage” clothes and alters them to fit
she has a nice machine that we bought at Costco- Janome brand- ( parent company of Newhome)
She started sewing with classes at the community center- and there are fashion design courses in our area as well as courses through high schools and fabric stores. it doesn’t take long to get the basics down
some places even have machines that you can rent and tables you can use there.</p>
<p>I bought her this book- which also comes with a few patterns
[SEW U](<a href=“http://www.builtbywendy.com/about.htm”>http://www.builtbywendy.com/about.htm</a>)
which she liked so much that she gives it to her friends as gifts</p>
<p>Check out patternreview.com. It’s an online sewing community. You can also take on-line sewing classes through this site. I’ve taken one and it was excellent. This would be a great way to get started before D is able to get to a school that teaches sewing. there are many posters on that site who love to help beginning sewers, especially teens and 20’s who are the future of sewing.</p>
<p>Do you have a county extension service anywhere near you (you might be surprised)? 4-H does sewing. Do you have an older neighbor, have a senior citizens’ group in your community that might have a member who sews? Also try your local library - ours has done knitting, crocheting and quilting. Try your local fabric store.</p>
<p>All great suggestions. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think sewing is becoming a lost art. I learned in school and also strangely from my stepfather who was the most unlikely person from his personal appearance and demeaner to know how to sew. My Mom couldn’t sew.
One problem I notice in our community is that the community classes are not open to anyone under 18. All the fabric stores have closed down and we must drive 45 minutes to even buy fabric.
If your D doesn’t already have a sewing machine many sewing machine stores have free classes if you buy your machine from them.</p>