Learn to make and mend your own clothes in a small, supportive class.

The Art of Sewing is a multi-week clothing-creation course for adults. Over five to eight evening sessions you go from threading a machine to finishing garments you will actually wear, with an instructor beside you the whole way. No experience is needed; sewists with some skills use it to fill the gaps and gain confidence with patterns and fit.

Upcoming cohorts

The Art of Sewing runs as a cohort when there is a group ready for it: a public run open to anyone, or a run delivered with a partner organization for its own participants. When a cohort is open for registration it is listed here with its start date. If nothing is listed, follow this program at the bottom of the page and we will email you the day the next one is announced.

What you will make

Each cohort builds toward real garments. Past cohorts made leggings customised to fit, a basic T-shirt or blouse to learn garment construction, and a trapeze dress to bring the skills together. Shorter runs focus on the everyday essentials: hand sewing buttons and hems, sewing a pillow or pouch on the machine, an apron, and basic alterations and repairs.

Skills you will learn

• Understanding sewing machines: the anatomy and functions of the machine, and how to keep it running.
• Pattern making: the fundamentals of creating patterns tailored to your body and style.
• Garment construction: the step-by-step process from cutting fabric to final stitching.
• Fabric selection: choosing the right fabric for a project by texture, weight and stretch.
• Precision cutting and seam finishing: neat pieces and polished, professional-looking seams.
• Troubleshooting: solving the common problems every sewist hits.
• Sustainable sewing: re-using your patterns to make variations, and repairing rather than replacing.

Who it is for

Whether you are a novice eager to learn the fundamentals or an experienced sewist looking to expand your repertoire, the course meets you where you are. All materials and equipment are provided; just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to explore.

Graduates also earn the Sewing Machine badge, which gives independent access to MakeHaven's sewing area, and cohorts have included a short MakeHaven membership so you can keep practising between sessions.

Bring this program to your organization

The Art of Sewing was first delivered in 2021 and 2022 for parents of New Haven Public Schools students, free of charge through a partnership with the New Haven Board of Education and the Fair Haven after-school programs, with transportation and a MakeHaven membership included and a refurbished sewing machine for graduates. It was taught by Ceresa Newsome of Endangered Stitches. The same course can run for your school, agency or community group, in English or Spanish, on a schedule that suits your participants. Write to education@makehaven.org to start the conversation.