Beginner Friendly Sewing: Make a Blouse

Saturday, May 31st, 2025
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Tuition: $58
Sliding Scale Tuition available
 

Make a blouse, customized to the style you want and that looks good on you--not just what some store sells. Learning about the basics of sewing a blouse: interfacing and collars, setting in sleeves, pockets, cuffs, front button/button hole band, bottom hem and top stitching, button holes and/or snaps. And then there are variations on the collar and the sleeve length and blouse length and finishing details. This class starts with choosing the pattern size and laying out the pattern on the fabric of choice. From just one pattern you will be able to create a long sleeved or short sleeved blouse. Varying styles of collars and cuffs as well as the length of the blouse. Students may choose to bring their own sewing machine from home (one you are used to using) or one of the machines at The Ely Folk School. The instructor will provide the pattern to make your variations from and sample shirts to give you some ideas!

What you will need to bring:

• Three yards of fabric of your choice -- (Note: if you choose a large pattern repeat fabric you may want to add another 1/2 yard for matching the pattern)
• Matching or contrasting thread -- The Ely Folk School also has many different colors to choose from.
• 1/2 yard of medium weight iron on interfacing
• Eight buttons of your choosing--you will sew buttons down the front (6) and on the arm cuffs (2) if cuffs are appropriate
• A bag lunch

We will also have a brief break for lunch, so please bring a bag lunch and whatever snacks and beverages you need for a longer class. There is refrigerator space at the Ely Folk School for any perishables.

About the instructor: Candace Bischoff started her crafting at the age of five when her mother taught her how to knit. Her grandmother introduced her to the sewing machine when she was eight, and she sewed clothing for herself, friends, and acquaintances through high school and college. Candace says, "I love to craft and have tried most media including needlepoint, embroidery cross-stich, knitting, crocheting, beading, macrame, weaving, quilting, drawing with pencil, ink, and colorizing some sketches, I am in the process of teaching my 11-year old granddaughter how to knit--a challenge!" Candace looks forward to sharing her many skills and short cuts with folk school students.