New Melbourne Sew Inn dates


We've just released Melbourne Sew Inn dates for the second half of 2012. Here are the available dates and all bookings must be made online here:

Saturday 21st July - Bring Your Own Project (with Vanessa)
Saturday 4th August - Japanese Patterns for Beginners (Suzie)
Saturday 11th August - Bring Your Own Project (with Vanessa)
Saturday 25th August - Pattern Fitting & Modification (with Vanessa)
Saturday 15th September - Sewing With Knits Without An Overlocker (Suzie)
Saturday 29th September - Bring Your Own Project (with Vanessa)
Saturday 13th October - Pattern Fitting & Modification (with Vanessa)
Saturday 27th October - Bring Your Own Project (with Suzie)
Saturday 3rd November - Advanced Class (with Vanessa)
Saturday 17th November - Bring Your Own Project (with Vanessa)
Saturday 1st December - Pattern Fitting & Modification (with Vanessa)
Saturday 8th December - Japanese Patterns for Beginners (Suzie)


Using Japanese Patterns for Beginners is a class specifically aimed at helping students understand how to use the wonderful range of Japanese sewing pattern books currently available. Students bring their own project (book, fabric, tracing paper, highlighter pen, pencils and sewing things) and Suzie will help you locate and trace your pattern pieces and then interpret the diagrams in the book for construction. Students are welcome to begin at home if they feel confident and use the class to focus on whatever part of the process they are most concerned about. Students can email Suzie before the class or ask Tessuti staff if they need help in selecting a project or suitable fabric.



Sewing With Knits Without an Overlocker for Beginners While an overlocker is an ideal tool for sewing knit fabrics, a home sewing machine can achieve great results with simple knits. This class is designed for those who may never have sewn with knits before and would like to start with simple projects such as T-shirts, jersey dresses, leggings or knit pants. Students need to bring their own pattern and fabric, or if the project is simple (such as a plain T-shirt) they may bring an existing garment to make a pattern from, along with pattern paper and drawing things. As there are a wide range of knit fabrics with very different properties (degree of stretch, drape, elastine content and so on) students should seek advice from Suzie or Tessuti staff prior to the class on fabric suitability, or purchase at Tessuti on the day.

Advanced class is an unstructured class in which you can receive advice and instruction to help you with any project. You will be able to tackle problems relating to garment details such as zips, collars, sleeves, bindings, casings, insertion of boning and anything else that presents difficulties in constructing the garments you want to make. Attending students should have some experience in sewing garments. Take advantage of the tailoring skills of your instructor who has teaching qualifications and 20 years experience in a made-to-measure workroom.

Modification of a Commercial Pattern If you are able to sew your own garments but experience frustration with producing ill-fitting garments this workshop will enable you to adjust a bodice or dress pattern to fit exactly (no pants or sleeves this time). To prepare for the workshop you will need to cut out your pattern (perhaps it will be one that you have previously used and know that it needs some work). If in doubt, make sure the size you cut is too big rather than too small. Cut a calico (or scrap fabric) garment from this pattern. Do not cut pockets, facings or sleeves but bring the entire pattern to the workshop. Sew the calico together using a big stitch and even a contrasting thread so that seams can be unpicked quickly if necessary. Please be aware that the fitting of your calico will take place in the shop during business hours and ensure that you wear a close fitting t-shirt and leggings if your calico won’t cover as much as you would like. As well as your calico and pattern you will need pins, measuring tape, ruler, a sharp pencil, eraser, paper scissors, fabric scissors, magic or sticky tape, needle and thread. If you have a grading ruler, tracing wheel or coloured texta pens these can also be helpful.

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