make workshop was named New York magazine's
"BEST OF NEW YORK: SEWING" (2009)

sewing

always wanted to learn how to sew? you've come to the right place! all of our classes teach professional-quality work habits and techniques, so there's always something to inspire and challenge you. if you're a complete beginner, a 2-hour intro to sewing machine is the best place to start. from there you can either enroll in an intensive 7-week intensive fashion lab series or sign up for project-based sewing workshops in the following categories:

x stitch accessories

x stitch alterations

x stitch home decor

x stitch fashion

x stitch kids' clothes

x stitch lingerie

x stitch skill building workshops

more intermediate-to-advanced seamsers might also be interested in checking out our patternmaking workshops.

last, but not least, MAKE is proud to offer private one-on-one or group sewing and patternmaking classes for adults, kids + teens with founder and SEW: the sew everything workshop author diana rupp. please send us an email with your availability and what you'd like to learn to make and we'll get back to you asap.

intro to sewing machine

with diana rupp, author of SEW: the sew everything workshop

x stitch click for a project pic: 1, 2 x stitch

if you've never ever touched a sewing machine, or the last time was in junior high school home ec, here's the perfect workshop to develop some basic machine sewing skills. identify the parts, what to look for when purchasing a new machine, and how to make a simple fabric wallet.
note: feel free to bring your own machine if you'd like to learn how to use it, otherwise we have have one for you!
x stitch good news: this class or equivalent experience is all that's required for signing up for beginner project classes like pillow making and our sewing I workshops (see below.) x stitch

one 2-hour class

(all supplies included + wallet pattern and resource list!)

$80

x stitch hurry, only 3 spots left in session D! x stitch

A fri jun 19
6:30pm – 8:30pm
B fri jun 26
4:00pm – 6:00pm
C mon jun 29
11:00am – 1:00pm
D thu jul 2
6:30pm – 8:30pm
E fri jul 10
4:00pm – 6:00pm
F mon jul 20
6:30pm – 8:30pm
G sat jul 18
12:00pm – 2:00pm
H wed jul 29
11:00am – 1:00pm

accessories

tokyo tie bag

x stitch tokyo tie bag from SEW: sew everything workshop x stitch

new! a few pics of the tokyo tie bag sewn by MAKE students!

take your fabric prep and machine skills up a notch by learning how to cut and layout a pattern, pivot, stitch around curves and make a fancy french seam. the end result? a super cute bag that's an ideal gift, and it only takes 2 hours to stitch! (click on the link above to see it or check out p. 170 of the book.) before enrolling please know how to thread a machine--if you're a bit rusty that's okay. this learn-to-sew project is suitable for complete beginners and can be taken as the first part of the fashion lab series (see schedule) or on its own.

one 2-hour class

$80 + supplies

note: this class is also available as a private lesson. please send us an email if you're interested!

x stitch only 1 spot left in session A! x stitch

A wed jun 24
6:30pm – 8:30pm
B mon jun 29
2:00pm – 4:00pm
C thu jul 9
11:00am – 1:00pm
D tue jul 28
6:30pm – 8:30pm

men's tie

x stitchpower tie from SEW: sew everything workshop x stitch

not sure what to give your favorite guy, but know you want to make something handmade with love? here's your chance to spend a few hours on a sewing machine and whip up a dapper gift they'll always remember. we'll show you how to stitch a lined and interfaced tie and how to create custom labels for your project. please note: this workshop is suitable for beginners, but be able to thread a machine. if you've never sewn before, simply take an intro to sewing machine first, and we'll teach you the rest! note: you can make a hipster-friendly "skinny" version of this project!

one 3-hour class

$120 + supplies


note: this class is also available as a private lesson. please send us an email if you're interested!

A fri jun 5
6:00pm – 9:00pm

zippered hobo handbag

with diana rupp

x stitch here's a pic! x stitch

have you ever dreamed of having your own line of handbags? or do you just want to make them for fun? either way, we'll show you basic bag-making tricks and techniques using our favorite hobo bag pattern from SEW: sew everything workshop. note: this project involves a zipper and drop-in lining; machine threading experience is mandatory. if you don't have these skills, sign up for an intro to sewing machine workshop so you'll be prepared.

three 2-hour classes

$240 + supplies

note: this class is also available as a private lesson. please send us an email if you're interested!

      next class TBA

 

alterations

skip the tailor: simple alterations

with diana rupp

tired of paying a tailor 20 bucks to shorten your skirts and pants? let diana teach you some tailoring basics including hemming (both by hand and on the machine), how to make simple repairs such as sewing on buttons or fixing torn seams. please bring some sample garments you'd like to alter to class for discussion. no sewing experience necessary! includes all supplies.

one 2-hour class (all supplies included except as noted above)

$80

x stitch sorry, session A is sold out! please sign up for B x stitch

A thu jun 25
6:30pm – 8:30pm
B mon jul 27
6:30pm – 8:30pm

 

fashion

sewing I: make a skirt (pencil or naughty secretary)

with diana rupp

x stitch this class has 2 pattern options for you to choose from:
a fitted pencil skirt or a versatile straight skirt, a.k.a. the naughty secretary. samples here x stitch

x stitchnaughty secretary as seen in SEW: sew everything workshop x stitch

 

ready to get started with your first fashion project? we'll show you how to make a cute and very wearable naughty secretary OR form-fitting pencil skirt--it's your choice! you'll shop for fabric and gather a basic sewing kit together before class, and then be taught how to layout, cut, and follow a pattern, as well as basic sewing techniques like darts, seam finishing, installing an invisible zipper and how to handstitch a couture-quality hem. elementary tailoring tricks will also be demonstrated to adjust the pattern to fit your body if need be. note: this is a project-based workshop. please be acquainted with winding a bobbin and threading a machine before signing up. an intro class (see above) will teach you all you need to know! this class can also be taken as part of the fashion lab series.

three 2-hour classes or two 3-hour classes

$240 + supplies

x stitch sorry, session A + B + D are sold out! if you want a weekday evening class, please sign up for session F! x stitch

note: this class is also available as a private lesson. please send us an email if you're interested!

A wed may 13|20|27
6:30pm – 8:30pm
B tue jun 16|23|30
6:30pm – 8:30pm
C tue jun 23|30|jul 7
11:00am – 1:00pm
D wed jul 1|8|15
6:30pm – 8:30pm
E thu jul 16|23|30
11:00am – 1:00pm
F tue aug 4|11|18
6:30pm – 8:30pm

new project for 2009!
sewing I: easy tunic/dress

with diana rupp

x stitch new! click to see a few project pics x stitch

at last: a super easy tunic that's also super fashionable! this project is perfect for beginners who want to whip up a project in a few hours that they'll actually wear, either as a dress or over skinny jeans. as with all our entry-level sewing classes, you'll shop for fabric and gather a basic sewing kit together before class, and then be taught how to layout, cut, and follow a pattern, as well as basic sewing techniques like seam finishing and stitching hems. note: this is a project-based workshop. please be familiar with winding a bobbin and threading a machine before signing up. an intro class (see above) will teach you what you need to know!

two 3-hour classes

$240 + supplies

note: this class is also available as a private lesson. please send us an email if you're interested!

       

sewing II: make a dress

with diana rupp

x stitch click here to see some samples of what we'll be making! x stitch

(psst! you can also find a pattern and instructions for this dress in
SEW: sew everything workshop
)

an original design by make workshop founder diana rupp: the girly go to dress! this project was created to teach you all the beginning-to-intermediate sewing skills you've been wanting to learn, including how to follow a pattern, properly layout and cut fabric, stitch darts, install an invisible zipper and insert a bodice lining with professional-looking results. the best part? you can make many more after the class is over, so your wardrobe will be complete! basic sewing machine experience is mandatory; please be comfortable threading and stitching on a machine before enrolling. if you have any questions or concerns about your skill level, please email us. this class can also be taken as part of the fashion lab series.

three 2-hour classes
$240 + supplies

note: this class is also available as a private lesson. please send us an email if you're interested!

x stitch sorry, session A is sold out and session E only has 3 spots left. note: session F skips a week (labor day holiday) x stitch

A wed jun 3|10|17
6:30pm – 8:30pm
B fri jun 5|12|19
4:00pm – 6:00pm
C wed jun 24| jul 1|8
11:00am – 1:00pm
D tue jul 21|28|aug 4
11:00am – 1:00pm
E wed jul 22|29|aug 5
6:30pm – 8:30pm
E thu aug 6|13|20
11:00am – 1:00pm
F tue aug 25|sep 1|15
6:30pm – 8:30pm

 

special appearance! tee party with megan nicolay

x stitch check out megan's book, "generation t" x stitch

make is beyond thrilled to have craft superstar megan nicolay host one of her famous tee parties! yay. bring a bunch of old and/or ill-fitting tees and megan will show you any number of 108 ways to reconstruct them into something you'll love to wear. class fee includes a goody bag. all ages welcome!

one 2-hour class (all supplies included except as noted above)

$60

 

      next class TBA

 

home decor

2-hour pillow making workshop

with diana rupp

x stitch pics from a recent pillow workshop: 1, 2, 3, 4 x stitch

one of my all-time favorite classes! sew the kind of high-end throw pillows you see at ABC and anthropolgie--only better! you'll pick up all the skills you need for making at least one envelope pillow cover from start to finish, and be able to make many more at home. beginner sewing machine experience required; please be able to wind a bobbin and thread a machine. if you don't know how, sign up for an intro to sewing machine class first (see above) and you'll be good to go!

one 2-hour classes

$80 + supplies

 

A fri jun 26
6:30pm – 8:30pm
       
       

 

kids' clothes

new! sewing for baby + kids: girls' pinafore

x stitch for a few pics of the dress we'll be making, click here!

take your fabric prep and machine skills up a notch by learning how to cut and layout a pattern, pivot, stitch around curves and make a fully lined dress with buttonholes. the end result? a super cute dress that's an ideal gift for your favorite girl. before enrolling please know how to thread a machine--if you're a bit rusty that's okay--or pass the intro class (see above.)

two 2.5-hour classes

$180 + supplies

note: this class is also available as a private lesson. please send us an email if you're interested!

A wed may 27| jun 3
11:00am – 1:30pm

 

lingerie

panty workshop

with designer laura mehlinger of lola haze


as featured in ideal bite, "a sassier shade of green"

x stitch new! check out some recent panty pics here! x stitch

I'm super excited to have laura in the studio to show us how to make sexy-yet-functional panties! she'll cover all the rules of lingerie-making including working with knits and lace, inserting a narrow waistband elastic, seam finishing--we'll have a serger here for a demo--and inserting a lining. the best part? you'll leave with a fully finished pair! please be able to thread a machine and sew simple seams before signing up for this project-based class.

one 2.5-hour class
$100 + $20 supply fee to be paid to instructor

 

A thu jun 18
6:30pm – 9pm

 

skill building workshops

invisible zipper 101 workshop

with diana rupp

x stitch zippered pouch as seen in SEW: sew everying workshop x stitch

want to make a project that requires a zipper, but are too intimidated to attempt the seaming-ly impossible? this workshop was created to demystify the various types of zippers and teach you the best techniques and correct presser feet for installing them, whether you're making a pillow or a pair of pants. class includes hands-on practice in the form of a versatile zippered pouch for you to keep, and a pattern so you can stitch up more when you get home. note: please be able to thread a machine as this skill is not the focus of the workshop. don't know how? sign up for an intro to sewing machine workshop first (see above.)

one 1.5-hour class

all supplies included + zippered pouch pattern

$60