Classes & Events
Contents
class Key
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For those who’ve never used a sewing machine, are just starting out, or need a refresher.
For learning foundational skills, like sewing in a straight line, how to thread a sewing machine, how to change stitch settings, how to wind a bobbin
No experience needed!
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For those who are new to sewing, just starting out, or need a refresher.
For learning foundational skills, like sewing in a straight line, how to sew zippers and buttonholes, and skills needed to make basic garments. There is some overlap with our true beginner courses - because we try to assess and tailor each class to student needs!
Should have some experience with:
Threading a sewing machine.
Changing your stitch settings.
Winding a bobbin.
We recommend taking one of our Sewing 101 workshops first if you are just starting your sewing journey
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For those who’ve used a sewing machine but could benefit from support, AND those who are confident in their ability to use a machine and are looking to learn new techniques.
For learning skills like pattern making, fitting, or working with specialty fabrics
Should have some experience with:
Threading a sewing machine
Changing your stitch settings
Winding a bobbin
Cutting out fabric
Troubleshooting machine issues independently
Winter 2026 Sign-ups are live!
We’ve changed how we do waitlist sign-ups.
If you’d like to be on an event’s waitlist, you can join here.
Open Studio Hours
Come in and get crafty!
Our workshop boasts domestic sewing machines, sergers, unlimited thread and notions, a cutting table and tools, a projector, a tea kettle, and two pretty cute kitties!
Open studio time is currently unstaffed - we ask that you attend a fellowship session or a workshop before participating in Open Studio time so we can give you the lay of the land!
Open studio is available during our regular business hours when no other events are taking place and on Friday during movie night. Check the calendar and our Stash House Instagram account for up to date event info!
Free for Members // Non-members are welcome to purchase a $15 day pass at the register
Our classes are for ages 15+ unless otherwise indicated!
REgularly Offered Classes
These classes are typically offered every 1-2 months.
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Instructor: Elsa
Duration: 1 hour
Class description:
Part lecture, part hands-on workshop, this skills class will help you develop your fabric ID skills
You will learn:
How to conduct a burn test to determine fiber content
How to differentiate basic types of woven fabrics
no experience necessary!
($35)
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Instructor: Jena
Duration: 3 hours
Class series:
Squares and Triangles
Log Cabin
Binding and finishing
Quilting with vibes
Class description:
An introduction to different components of quilting! In this series, we will learn about different key components of quilting. Some classes focus on quilt block construction techniques, while others cover things like finishing and binding. Use these classes to get started, and grow your quilt on your own to whatever size you want, or make a mini quilt to use as wall hanging or mat. If you prefer to make a larger quilt, you can tackle these last two steps on your own, in quilt finishing class, or for companionship and advice, come to the weekly Thursday 3-7pm Quilt Club.
In this series you will learn about things like ...
how to use a rotary cutter
color selection
conceptualizing and planning your quilt
working with different types of quilt elements
straight line chain sewing
tricks for foundational quilting methods like half square triangles
finishing and binding methods
Use the machines in the workroom, or bring your own. All materials are included, if you want to work with specific fabrics you are welcome to supply your own. This class is not intended to create a finished quilt, but to get you started on your quilting journey
Some sewing experience required - you should know how to thread a machine and run a pretty consistent seam allowance. If you don't, we recommend taking one of our Sewing 101 classes first
($50 per session)
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Instructor: Kathryn
Duration: 3 hours
Course Description:
This one-day workshop will cover...
- How to start a braided-in rug
- How to create circles and ovals
All supplies are included, though you are welcome to bring some of your own.
capped at 6 people, $65 a person
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Are you new to sewing or looking for a refresher? Wanting to pick up a new hobby? Come learn at the Stash!
In this class, you will learn:
How to thread a sewing machine
How to read a pattern
Choosing the right fabric for your project
A range of sewing techniques
All supplies are included! $65, limited to 6 participants.
Tote Bag:
We will be making a tote bag in this class, which will also include the following:
How to sew handles
How to box corners
How to sew a lining
Zipper pouch:
We will be making a zippered pouch in this class, which will also include the following:How to sew a zipper
How to box corners
How to sew a lining
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Some sewing experience required - you should know how to thread a machine and run a pretty consistent seam allowance. If you don't, we recommend taking one of our Sewing 101 classes first. Our Sewing 102 classes are focused on sewing curves, building experience with making 3D shapes, and design choices. All supplies are included
Classes:Fanny pack
Instructor: Kendra
Duration: 4 hours, $75
Course Description:
Looking for this season’s it-bag? Come sew your own fanny pack! Have you tried our 101 classes and are ready for something a little more advanced? Come sew a fanny pack! This project is beginner friendly and totally customizable.
In this class you will learn about:
working with webbing and buckles
zipper installation options
pockets
design choices and customization
binding seams with bias tape
Eyemask
Instructor: Kendra
Duration: 3 hours, $65
Course Description:
Have you tried our 101 classes and are ready for something a little more advanced? Come sew a sleep mask! This project is good for adventurous beginners to old pros looking for new tips, and is totally customizable. Our Sewing 102 classes are focused on sewing curves, building experience with making 3D shapes, and design choices. We will be making a silk lined eye mask in this class, and you will learn about:
How to sew a curve
How to encase elastic
How to sew a lining
how to work with slippery fabrics
All supplies are included! $65, limited to 6 participants. This was previously run as a sewing 101 class, but we have adjusted our curriculum to recategorize projects with curves as 102s!
Tailor’s ham
Instructor: Jena
Duration: 3 hours, $65
Course Description:
A Tailor's ham is a useful sewing tool that you can make for yourself! Tailors hams are used when pressing curves in garments or other sewing projects, and can help shape a beautifully crisp collar or hem. They are oblong shapes of wool and cotton, similar in size to a small ham, and are often stuffed with sawdust or fabric scraps.
In this class, you will learn about:
How to match and sew two curved edges
How to sew darts
How to close up a seam with a mattress stitch by hand
How to process scraps for stuffing
Ways to use a Tailor's ham!
Travel sewing kit
Instructor: Jena, Kendra
Duration: 3 hours, $65
Course Description:
A travel sewing kit is useful for any sewist! In this class we'll make half circle quilted sewing kits for storing your needles and thread on the go. Customize your kit with quilting cotton of your choice and an optional pocket!
In this class, you will learn about:
How to match and sew two curved edges
How to set a snap
How to finish edges with bias binding
How to make a pocket
Quilting layers of fabric
What you may want to include in your kit!
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Instructor: Elsa
Duration: 2 x 2 hour sessions (4 hours total) $80
Class description:
An introduction to alterations - make your clothes fit you, not a standardized set of measurements!
This is a two session workshop, recommended for confident beginners to advanced sewists. No alterations experience needed. What you learn will depend on what you bring, and this is a collaborative, exploratory workshop. Each session will have time for consultations, pinning of alterations, and problem solving! This workshop is focused on making your clothes fit the way you want them to, and may involve trial and error - so bring a couple of garments to experiment with!
In this workshop, you may learn about...
various ways to hem a garment
understanding garment construction, readings seams and assessing feasibility of alterations
making garments smaller through adding darts and taking in seams
making garments bigger through letting out seams or adding gussets
By the end of this series, you'll gain the confidence to experiment with your clothes and personalize their fit!
Some sewing experience required. You should know how to thread a machine and run a pretty consistent seam allowance.
Tools and notions provided, but be sure to bring a garment or two that you want to alter!
limited to 5 people
*Classes with fewer than two people enrolled are subject to cancellation, in which case participants will receive 24-hour notice. So encourage a friend to sign up too :)
Garment sewing Classes
These classes are typically offered every 1-2 months.
Beginner garment classes 🧷 + ✂️
Some sewing experience required, if you have never used a sewing machine before we recommend taking one of our Sewing 101 classes first
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Instructor: Jena
Duration: 4 hours ($75)
Class description:
Have you been wanting to learn to sew clothes? Take this class if you are just starting out, need a refresher, or are looking to upgrade your skills! This class is open to beginners and confident sewists alike and is designed to be taken multiple times. All materials are included.
First timer? You will...
Learn how to sew a basic boxy top using the provided pattern
Receive a basic shirt construction booklet
Sew a (wearable) toile or draft version of a garment
Taking the class again? You can...
Evaluate fit and make pattern adjustments
Try out bias binding vs facings!
Folks may not finish an entire garment in 4 hours, but will leave with significant progress and the skills to complete it on their own or return for help during one of our fellowship sessions.
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Instructor: Elsa, Jena
Duration: 4 hours ($75)
Class Description:
Have you been wanting to learn to sew clothes? Take this class if you are just starting out, need a refresher, or are looking to upgrade your skills! This class is open to beginners and confident sewists alike.
In Basic Pants, you will learn about:
How to choose a pattern size and read a pattern
How to sew a basic pair of elastic waist pants using the provided pattern
Seam finishing
Making a waistband and hemming
How to measure elastic
Second time in pants class? You may learn about…
How to make inseam or patch pockets
additional seam finishing techniques
Folks should not expect to finish an entire garment in 4 hours, but will leave with significant progress and the skills to complete it on their own or return for help during one of our fellowship sessions. This is not meant to be a complex pants tailoring or fitting class, but to provide you with experience to make a basic pair of pants. -
Instructor: Jena
Duration: 3 hours ($65)
Class description:
Do you want to learn about drafting a pattern for your own body? In this class you will draft and sew a pattern for a simple skirt to your own measurements!
This class is open to beginners and confident sewists alike and is designed to be taken multiple times.
First timer? You will...
Learn how to draft a pattern for and sew a basic elastic waist skirt
Receive a basic skirt construction booklet
Sew a (wearable?) toile or draft version of a garment
Taking the class again? You will...
Evaluate fit and make pattern adjustments
Integrate more complicated design elements
Intermediate - advanced garment classes ✂️
These classes are typically offered 1-2 times per trimester.
Some garment sewing experience recommended, if you have never sewn a garment before we recommend taking one of our basic garment classes first. You should know how to thread a sewing machine and run a straight(ish) seam allowance.
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Instructor: Jena, Elsa
Duration: 2 hours ($50)
Class description:
These 2 hour workshops are focused on upgrading your garment skills! With topics ranging from seam finishes to working with pdf patterns and projectors, you can apply these skills to all kinds of projects. These workshops are not project based classes. Expect a mix of hands on lecture and activities to practice new techniques
Class topics:
Seam finishes
Buttonholes
zipper flies
Projectors and PDF patterns
Study hall (small group consultations)
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Instructor: Elsa, Jena
Duration: 2 sessions, 4-5 hours ($80-$90)
Class description:
An introduction to making your own pattern based off of an existing garment!
This is a two session workshop, recommended for confident beginners to advanced sewists. Some garment sewing experience recommended, if you have never sewn a garment before we recommend taking one of our basic garment classes first. You should know how to thread a machine and run a pretty consistent seam allowance.
In this workshop, you will learn about...
how to reverse engineer a garment
how to add appropriate seam allowances and true your pattern pieces
methods for tracing a garment without taking it apart
how to assemble your garment from the pieces you've traced
Materials for pattern making and testing included, but be sure to bring a garment or two that you want to copy!
limited to 5 people
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Instructor: Elsa, Jena
Duration: 3 hours ($65)
Class description:
This class is all about sewing your own underwear. We will discuss garment fit and finishing, working with lightweight knits, elastic, sergers, and how to work with stretch fabric using only a domestic sewing machine!
You will use a basic pattern to make a pair of underwear, no experience with knits required! All materials are included.
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Instructor: Jena
Duration: 4 hours ($75)
Class description:
This class is all about sewing with knits to make a simple t-shirt! We will discuss garment fit and finishing, working with lightweight knits, sergers, and how to work with stretch fabric using either a domestic sewing machine or a serger!
You will use a basic pattern to make a boxy T-shirt, no experience with knits required! All materials are included, including the pattern, but you are welcome to bring your own.
In Stretchy T shirt class, you will learn about:
How to work with stretchy knits
How to hem knits
How to select the right needles for success
How to read a pattern and choose the right size
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Instructor: Jena
Duration: 4 hours ($75)
Class description:
Make some sporty woven shorts! These track shorts can be made at various lengths, but are often seen as short and sporty with their curved hem and bias trim. Take this class to upgrade your skills on your clothes sewing journey!
In Sports Shorts, you will learn about:
How to sew a pair of sports using the provided pattern
Making a waistband and inserting elastic
How to sew a lapped seam
How to finish edges with bias binding or braid
Folks may not finish their entire garment in 4 hours, but will leave with significant progress and the skills to complete it on their own or return for help during one of our fellowship sessions. This is not meant to be a complex pants tailoring or fitting class, but to provide you with experience to make a basic pair of shorts.
all materials included
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Instructor: Jena
Duration: 2 sessions, 6 hours total ($100)
Class description:
Hack your box top into a dress with a gathered skirt! This loose and flowy dress will be made in a two part class. Experience sewing a simple box top is recommended before taking this class - try our basic shirt class first!
Sew a dress with a gathered skirt and a tank or T-shirt style top. This is a loose fitting garment with no darts, meant to fit comfortably oversized. In class, you will learn about
Color blocking and panels
Gathering ratios and skirts
Finishing options
Design choices for fit and style
Folks may not finish their dresses during class time, but will leave with significant progress and the skills to complete it on their own or return for help during one of our fellowship sessions.
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Instructor: Jena
Duration: 2 sessions, 6 hours total ($100)
Class description:
Hack your box top with long sleeves or a peplum!
This is a loose fitting garment with no darts, meant to fit comfortably oversized. In this two part class, you will learn about:
Color blocking and panels
Sewing sleeves
Gathering ratios
Finishing options such as facings or bias binding
Design choices for fit and style
Folks may not finish their shirts, but will leave with significant progress and the skills to complete it on their own or return for help during one of our fellowship sessions.
Some sewing experience required. You should know how to thread a sewing machine and run a straight(ish) seam allowance.
*Classes with fewer than two people enrolled are subject to cancellation, in which case participants will receive 24-hour notice. So encourage a friend to sign up too :)
all materials included
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Instructor: Jena
Duration: 4 sessions, 12 hours total ($250), optional additional open studio time
Class description:
What do a chore coat and a shacket have in common? Combining elements of button-up shirts with slightly heavier weight fabrics for jackets, a chore coat or Shacket can be the perfect layering garment for the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Sewing one will teach you many of the skills needed for sewing button-up shirts! This is a 4 part workshop series with additional optional studio times available. Due to the complexity of the project, you will likely need to do sewing in between workshop times. This series is ideal for intermediate to experienced sewists looking for instructional support and a learning community to dive deeper into more complex and multi-step patterns.
This workshop series will cover:
Working with indie patterns, including pattern preparation (purchasing a commercial PDF pattern and either printing or projecting)
How to select interfacing
Seam finishing techniques for thicker fabrics such as bias binding and hong kong binding
Attaching a collar
Cuffed or placket sleeves
Sewing neck and hem facings
Sewing buttonholes and attaching buttons
The sewing pattern for this workshop is not included. You must purchase your pattern before or during the first day of the workshop. We will reach out to you the week prior about the workshop schedule and pattern preparation. We have selected two patterns for this workshop for you to choose from, both from excellent independent pattern designers!
Required Materials List:
1 pattern:
Shoalhaven Shacket from Muna and Broad (40"-64" (102-162cm) Bust; 41.5"-71.5" (105-182cm) Hip)
OR
Ilford Jacket from Friday Pattern Co. (sizes XS/0 - 7X/32 (32”/81cm -60”/152cm chest))
Optional materials:
Fabric required for your size: choose bottom weight fabrics that are not too heavy (6-10oz): midweight linen-cotton blends, lightweight canvas, midweight cotton twill, midweight wool, flannel
Spool of matching thread
Swanson’s Fabrics will provide:
Interfacing
Buttons
Thread
Fabric for a muslin or toile - draft version of your garment. If you would like to jump straight into sewing a wearable version, we recommend purchasing and bringing prewashed fabric.
If you fall outside the size range of either of these patterns, please reach out and we can help source an alternate pattern
OPTIONAL ADD ONs: If you have not used a projector for patterns before and want to project your PDF pattern instead of printing, take our PDF Projector class!
Some garment sewing experience is required, if you have never sewn a garment before we recommend taking one of our basic garment classes first. You should know how to thread a machine and run a pretty consistent seam allowance.
Swanson’s Fabrics will be sending out emails with important class information, including lists of materials students may need to bring to class. If you do not receive an email, please let us know!
limited to 5 people
Workshop schedule:
2/22 2-5pm
3/1 2-5pm
3/2 5-7pm
3/15 2-5pm
Optional Wednesday open studio nights 3/11 & 3/25 5-7pm
$250
If you are interested in using a projector for your pattern, consider signing up for one of our Projector/PDF pattern workshops!
These themed drop-in sessions at the Stash House are meant to build community, bringing together people and their independent projects around the fellowship theme. You will have support from our staff to answer questions and offer advice.
Themes and ability levels are suggestions and are not meant to deter participation from those interested!
Cancellations will be announced on The Stash House’s Instagram stories.
$10 drop-in
$5 for students
Free for members
Fellowship Sessions
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Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:30
Join Elsa at the Stash House and work on your mending - get advice and supplies for your clothing repair projects
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Wednesday 3-5 pm
Interested in garment sewing? Whether you're a beginner or advanced, come join us for fashion club on Wednesday afternoons!
~ Get ready for our fall Stash Bash Trash Rich fashion show ~
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Thursdays 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Join us to work on your quilting projects!
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Sundays 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Work on your Handwork while watching a Horror movie at the Stash House! Get friendly advice with your knitting, crochet, embroidery and more!
*All are welcome though some films may not be suitable for children or those uncomfortable with the horror genre :)
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Classes with fewer than two people enrolled are subject to cancellation, in which case participants will receive a 24-hour notice.
Cancellations:
If you cancel one month before a class/event, or if we cancel the event, you will receive a full refund*
Four weeks to 7 days before a class will result in a full refund minus a $10 administrative fee.*
Cancellations 6 days or fewer will not be refunded.*
Full refunds are available for illness and other extenuating circumstances ❤️
*Rug Braiding classes that include access to the studio recording will receive 50% of the class cost as a refund.
class expectations
Our classes are for ages 15 and up unless otherwise indicated. If you have a child interested in taking sewing classes, please reach out to us about private lessons. We do not have capacity to teach multi-person classes and monitor the safety of children using heavy machinery!
The majority of our classes include materials in the list price, but you are always welcome to provide your own. We also supply sewing machines, but you can bring your own if you prefer! Just make sure it is in working condition.
Class instruction starts no later than 5 minutes after the scheduled class start time. Participants who arrive later may miss instruction or demonstrations. Please be on time or a little early!
Mistakes are a common part of sewing, no matter how much experience you have! It is also common for students to not fully complete a project in the workshop timeframe - our aim is to send you home with all of the materials and knowledge you need to finish it independently, or you can join us during a fellowship session to wrap up your project with a little guidance.
By signing up for a class, you are acknowledging that there are inherent risks to sewing, cutting, and ironing. In signing up, you agree to abide by safety guidelines and recommendations provided by instructors and staff.