Creative Upcycling Six-Week Adventure

About this experience

Creative Upcycling is a new six-week workshop meant to inspire and provide the skills you need to dig deep into your creativity and re-invigorate your wardrobe! 

Rather than a particular project-type workshop, students will be supported through specific skills and individual goals.

Prerequisites: Students should already be reasonably comfortable on a sewing machine. If you want a refresher before starting this class, try Get to Know a Sewing Machine . Please understand the focus of this class is upcycling, and while the teacher will be able to support you on our machines- in particular she will go over settings for specific goals in upcycling various materials, we want to keep to the focus of the class for the benefit of everyone.

Outline: In this course we will dive into upcycling and get inspired with the possibilities of playing with our wardrobe. Projects will include adding applique to a garment, creating cuffs on a pre-existing top or pants and a personal project of choice that will be decided upon over the first few weeks. 

Personal projects do not have to be just clothing; tote bags, cushions or keepsakes can be created based on what each individual decides they would like to create.

(Some sessions are 2hrs/wk for 6 weeks, some are 3hr/wk, 4 weeks)

WK 1: The creative process of upcycling (bring your ideas and items you wanna play with over the course)

*assessing existing garments for potential, learning to dismantle with a plan

*brainstorming projects in a group to generate inspiration, sharing ideas & discussing possibilities for upcycling.

*I will showcase some samples of ideas of what can be created

WK 2: Applique & decorations (scraps available, students encouraged to bring things they want to work into things)

*discussion: fabric behaviours (knits vs woven, fraying vs rolling, stretch vs structure). Painting on fabrics & bleaching (how to play at home with inspiration and examples)

*sewing fabrics on fabrics w/ machine vs hand sewing , playing with top stitches, creating patches to put on other creations 

WK 3: Cutting & cuffs + easy modification ideas (bring old tshirts & leggings to play)

*how to cut knits & altering the fit slightly + turning leggings into a top

*demo of creating a cuff & explanation on how that can translate to a waistband.

*start creating cuffs. 

WK 4: open play & personal projects

*finish/ attach cuffs & applique

*knit modification

*demo: cloning parts of pre existing garments …ie switching sleeves on a top or light weight (unlined) jacket

***added demos based on students wants/needs and desires during the course

WK 5 & 6: open play and personal projects continued

The final 2 weeks will be dedicated to diving into the projects and allowing space to work with the students based on what they are wanting to learn and complete. Each session will be different! 

*materials are not included, though we will have various scraps, trims, ribbons, elastics, buttons accessible to you! 

Also note: This truly is a learning journey, with a teacher guiding each of you towards your sewing goals. It's a small group class, and people work at their own pace. Students who prefer to take a little more time, or who miss a class may need to work on homework between classes, or book in for Open Sew time. We have Supported Open Sew on a regular schedule, as well as non-instructional Sewcials and Your Studio time that can be booked if you don't have a sewing machine at home. We do our best to encourage and support you in finishing your project, but make no guarantee of completion if students miss classes or need extra time. We cannot guarantee available make up classes. We are all individuals in learning style!

Because of the nature and small size of our classes, we are happy to switch you to another session or offer a refund with a minimum of two weeks notice.

Within 14 days of your starting class, we are happy to transfer your seat to a friend, but there are no refunds available- FINAL SALE. No shows are not eligible for refunds.

If you are a shift worker (or partnered with one, affecting your ability to plan) or have irregular ability to plan for other reasons, saving your registration for when you are certain about your availability reduces the stress for everyone- and if a class sells out before you get in, reach out to be added to a waitlist or to see if we can squeeze you in. We can often accommodate a last minute extra person, especially if you've been in touch in advance.