At The School of Making, we incorporate our core values of sustainability, fashion, DIY, craft, and community into our mission, daily practices, and our educational initiatives. Through our sewing workshops, we are able to teach these values and create experiences for our guests to connect creatively with our team, each other, and their own selves.
In Crafternoon, Maura Madden writes about the act of making together, “In a community engaged in the process of making, it is easy to find something newly beautiful. And the bonus is, you wind up with something special to take home and treasure or give away to be treasured by another.” And while she is referring to her recurring gathering of friends who get together to make, we rightfully feel the same way about our sewing workshops. We provide the space, materials, and instruction. Our guests bring their own inspiration, encourage the beauty in each other’s work, and create community, each taking home their own project and memories.
We hope you’ll (safely) join us for one of our workshops in the coming year and be a part of our making community. View our schedule below—which also includes a virtual workshop this December.
For more about the connection between making and mental and physical health, read Natalie’s post Man and Women as Maker.
“It’s as if the act of cooking or sewing cracks open spaces in my mind that I’m not able to access in any other way. This space brings me peace and peace is what I need today.”
WORKSHOPS SCHEDULE
Virtual Classic Workshop | December 4th, 11th, 18th, 2020 (Three sessions)
Taught by Natalie, our Virtual Classic Workshop includes a discussion of the physics of sewing, reverse appliqué, and an overview of garment construction and other sewing techniques. This workshop is suited to beginners and experienced sewers alike. Work with The School of Making team to create a hand-sewn project from a selection of custom kits.
Three-Day Workshop | May 20 – 22, 2021
Three-Day Workshop | September 9 – 11, 2021
Three-Day Workshop | November 4 – 6, 2021
The Three-Day Workshop opens our studio doors at The Factory in Florence, Alabama, and allows participants to work with our in-house team, a selection of our most loved DIY garment patterns, and our extensive DIY stencil library. Participants create a customized, hand-sewn garment or project of their choice from Alabama Stitch Book, Alabama Studio Style, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, or Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns. We offer a range of options that can be tailored to any skill level. This workshop includes materials, tours, instruction, meals, plus small bites, snacks, and cocktails along the way.
Waitlist Only: Classic Studio Week | June 7 – 11, 2021
This week-long event invites participants into The School of Making’s expanded studio for a total immersion into our philosophies, methods, materials, and products. Participants will experiment with several different techniques in hand sewing and will be guided through each step in the process of creating a garment from The School of Making. Techniques include design basics and the physics of sewing, stencil design and creation, airbrush and stenciling of garments, fit and pattern alterations, discussion, and critique. This Monday through Friday event includes yoga sessions, time for sight-seeing, and some delicious, locally sourced meals with optional time Saturday for any last minute studio time, packing up, and checking out.
Waitlist Only: Pattern Making Week Workshop | June 21 – 25, 2021
This workshop highlights Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns and focuses on taking measurements, creating a customized sloper using our T-shirt pattern and Drawstring Pant pattern, making alterations to existing The School of Making patterns, and reviewing how to create and adjust commercial garment patterns for cotton jersey. The Physics of Sewing and The School of Making Construction lessons help students understand best practices when working with cotton jersey and with The School of Making hand-embroidery techniques.
Contact Bonnie at workshops@alabamachanin.com or call +1.256.760.1090 ext 113 for questions regarding our workshops.
P.S.: Creativebug, an online craft platform, offers thousands of online classes and is currently offering the opportunity to get a head start on holiday crafting with three months of Creativebug for $5. Visit here to learn more and register.