Class Meets from 10:00-5:00 on one of the dates below:

03/21
03/22
03/23
10/09

Each date is a different class and will require a separate signup.

Lunch is included!

Garment alterations are a fun and empowering way to level up your sewing skills and expand your wardrobe options. Professional tailor Lauren Taylor is here to guide you through the entire process of this essential skill set! Whether you are working with handmade, ready-to-wear, vintage, or thrifted clothing - this class will teach you how to see garment flaws as exciting opportunities for improvement.

Students are encouraged to bring a variety of garments, both handmade and ready-to-wear. Although we may not get through every single piece by the end of class, students can expect to leave with the knowledge and confidence to be able to continue their practice at home.

What students can expect to learn:

Effective seam-ripping techniques for a variety of stitches, including straight
stitches, serged finishes, and chainstitches
How to assess a garment’s fit and style, and how to determine what changes
need to be made
How to pin fit a garment and transfer the adjustments in preparation for sewing
How to take apart a garment, look inside, and determine the best method for
executing whatever adjustment needs to be made based on the construction of the original garment
Basic garment repair
How to determine whether a garment can successfully be altered or repaired,
best practices for using trial-and-error to approach for alterations on existing
garments, and how to troubleshoot any problems that may arise

The exact techniques covered in class will depend on the garments that students bring in. Don’t know what to bring? Here are some suggestions of topics that can be covered:

Altering a garment for a better fit
Making design changes to a garment - shortening or removing sleeves, changing necklines, or collars, adding or removing style ease/volume, adding or removing pockets
Changing hemlines - topstitched, blind, rolled, using the original hem on jeans
Garment repairs - holes, split seams, tears, replacing elastic, replacing buttons, replacing broken zippers, adding patches and repairing worn fabric
Making a garment smaller or bigger
Repairing or replacing garment lining
Garments for friends, family members, loved ones, etc

Skills Needed: This class can accommodate most skill levels, from beginner to professional. For beginner students, it is important that you have a general understanding of clothing construction and the process of assembling a garment (including pressing, maintaining accurate seam allowances, sewing curved and straight seams, finishing seams, etc). They should be comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine, and be able to work independently with minimal instruction.

Supplies You Provide: 6-8 garments to alter/repair

Instructor: Lauren Taylor

About Lauren Taylor: Lauren Taylor is a sewing enthusiast and rad sewing instructor based in Nashville, TN. 100% self-taught, Lauren has been sewing for most of her life and makes anything and everything! In addition to teaching fun sewing workshops, Lauren also works professionally as a tailor for a local fine suiting store, as well as on set wardrobe + alterations for commercials, music videos, tour and performance wardrobes, and red carpet events. Lauren can be found at LLADYBIRD.com and at @LLADYBIRD on Instagram.

CLASS POLICY: Seats for special events and master classes are non-refundable. They may, however, be transferred to someone else. If you're unable to attend, please notify us immediately as we may have a waitlist. If not, it's the attendee's responsibility to find someone to take their spot. Please check your schedule prior to registering.

Special Events & Master Classes