Introduction to Sewing $295

• Sewing machine basics: how to thread, trouble shoot and maintain a domestic sewing machine. Sequence of steps while sewing. How to sew a straight line and curved line with ease.
• How to operate an over-lock (serger) machine to finish raw edges.
• How to read basic industry patterns.
• How to prepare, pin, cut & mark fabric prior to construction.
• How to present a professional looking project with proper pressing skills.
• Solid understanding of beginner construction techniques such as seams, seam finishes and hems.

Introduction to Garment Construction $350

• Intermediate Sewing Techniques: Invisible zipper installation, button and hand sewn button bar, hook & eyes, in-set sleeves, darts, attaching interfacing, neckline facings, variety of hand sewn finishes to the hem and closures.
• How to read industry patterns for apparel.
• How to best place pattern pieces onto fabric, pin, cut, and mark fabric accordingly.
• Sequence of steps in garment construction.

Hand Sewing Couture Techniques $395

Register here.

Includes $30 lab fee   

May 11, 12, 13, 14, 15  (Mon-Fri) 10am–5pm  class limit 10

Maiwa Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, Canada

This course will explore the world of couture sewing by fully constructing a garment using hand-sewing techniques. No machines involved here. You will develop an appreciation for the skill of the human hand and its role in quality constructed garments. These are skills that anyone can learn.

Students will gear their garment towards evening wear, lingerie and/or detailed items with a focus on hard to handle fabrics such as silk, organza, chiffon. satin, lace, velvet, and others.

Techniques covered:

• Alongside sewing individual garments, students will learn a variety of couture finishes specific to their projects.
• Couture Techniques based on the student’s pattern. These may include: basic hand stitches, darts, pressing, seams, hems, seam finishes, decorative edging, button holes, fastenings, lacework and decorative details.

Note: students will be required to purchase a commercial pattern of their choice with corresponding materials. A detailed supply list with guidelines will be given at registration.

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Introducing Sheila Wong

The fashion industry thrives on creativity, diversity and innovation. The same 3 concepts can be used to describe Sheila Wong Fashion Design Studio, or SWFDS as it is more commonly known in the Vancouver fashion circuit. The company, founded by Sheila Wong, who herself is a walking example of diversity (being French-Chinese Canadian), helps develop all aspects of fashion design, whether it be skills, creativity, marketing or simply making the numbers work.

Sheila Wong started showing interest in design at a very young age. While other teenagers aspired to be models on a runway, she was much more interested in the garments and accessories that made the models shine.  At the age of 18 she started her first company designing outfits and managing dance performers at music festivals in her home town of Calgary, Alberta. She knew she had found her passion the first time she saw her designs showcased in front of a large energetic crowd.

But ideas and talent don’t always guarantee success, so Sheila made sure she was ready to tackle whatever obstacles the industry might have. She first completed a Bachelors of Applied Business and Entrepreneurship Degree at Mount Royal University, with a focus on International Business. She then went on to obtain her Fashion Design Diploma from Vancouver’s own Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Center. It was here that she fine tuned her skills and developed her ideas. Her time at Blanche Macdonald allowed her to shine in front of her peers and industry professionals, earning her the Design Portfolio of the Year award. After years of making sure she had the education to support her goals, she sought real-world experience, taking on positions like Studio Assistant at the Fashion Exchange building, Production Manager at clothing retailer Aritzia, and even instructing at Blanche Macdonald Fashion Center and Vancouver Community College in the Fashion Design programs. 

What truly makes Sheila Wong stand out in the industry, however, is her desire to help other artists succeed. Sheila loves collaborating with other designers and artisans, and has this to say to anyone who has ever wanted to see their own name on a piece of clothing: 

“Anyone can design and construct a garment, you just need the right amount of guidance and motivation. My goal is to help inspire people to create beautiful things. If you are passionate and driven, there is no reason why you cannot be creative every day.”

Introduction to Sewing $295

• Sewing machine basics: how to thread, trouble shoot and maintain a domestic sewing machine. Sequence of steps while sewing. How to sew a straight line and curved line with ease.
• How to operate an over-lock (serger) machine to finish raw edges.
• How to read basic industry patterns.
• How to prepare, pin, cut & mark fabric prior to construction.
• How to present a professional looking project with proper pressing skills.
• Solid understanding of beginner construction techniques such as seams, seam finishes and hems.

Introduction to Garment Construction $350

• Intermediate Sewing Techniques: Invisible zipper installation, button and hand sewn button bar, hook & eyes, in-set sleeves, darts, attaching interfacing, neckline facings, variety of hand sewn finishes to the hem and closures.
• How to read industry patterns for apparel.
• How to best place pattern pieces onto fabric, pin, cut, and mark fabric accordingly.
• Sequence of steps in garment construction.

Hand Sewing Couture Techniques $395

Register here.

Includes $30 lab fee   

May 11, 12, 13, 14, 15  (Mon-Fri) 10am–5pm  class limit 10

Maiwa Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, Canada

This course will explore the world of couture sewing by fully constructing a garment using hand-sewing techniques. No machines involved here. You will develop an appreciation for the skill of the human hand and its role in quality constructed garments. These are skills that anyone can learn.

Students will gear their garment towards evening wear, lingerie and/or detailed items with a focus on hard to handle fabrics such as silk, organza, chiffon. satin, lace, velvet, and others.

Techniques covered:

• Alongside sewing individual garments, students will learn a variety of couture finishes specific to their projects.
• Couture Techniques based on the student’s pattern. These may include: basic hand stitches, darts, pressing, seams, hems, seam finishes, decorative edging, button holes, fastenings, lacework and decorative details.

Note: students will be required to purchase a commercial pattern of their choice with corresponding materials. A detailed supply list with guidelines will be given at registration.

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Pattern Drafting – Pattern Blocks $495

Register here.

Includes $40 lab fee  

Part 1: May 22, 23, 24 (Fri-Sun), Part 2: May 30, 31 (Sat, Sun) 10am–5pm  class limit 8

Maiwa Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, Canada

Note there are 5 days between the first and second parts of this workshop.

Create a set of basic pattern blocks to fit your measurements perfectly. This detailed course will work step by step on how to pattern draft a bodice, skirt and sleeve block to make up the basic dress foundation. Students will also test out their blocks by sewing muslin for fitting.

At the end of the course, students will have drafted their own basic dress foundation in which they can alter, fit and design to their desired style. Creating your blocks with professional guidance makes this course exceptionally rewarding.

Techniques covered:

• Body measurements and figure analysis.
• Introduction to pattern drafting by drafting a basic pattern set for personal use.
• Understanding elements of patterns and marking them appropriately.
• Creating muslins (fit samples) for each block. Learn how to fit and make necessary adjustments.

Students will be required to bring some basic supplies. A supply list will be provided at registration.

---

Introducing Sheila Wong

The fashion industry thrives on creativity, diversity and innovation. The same 3 concepts can be used to describe Sheila Wong Fashion Design Studio, or SWFDS as it is more commonly known in the Vancouver fashion circuit. The company, founded by Sheila Wong, who herself is a walking example of diversity (being French-Chinese Canadian), helps develop all aspects of fashion design, whether it be skills, creativity, marketing or simply making the numbers work.

Sheila Wong started showing interest in design at a very young age. While other teenagers aspired to be models on a runway, she was much more interested in the garments and accessories that made the models shine.  At the age of 18 she started her first company designing outfits and managing dance performers at music festivals in her home town of Calgary, Alberta. She knew she had found her passion the first time she saw her designs showcased in front of a large energetic crowd.

But ideas and talent don’t always guarantee success, so Sheila made sure she was ready to tackle whatever obstacles the industry might have. She first completed a Bachelors of Applied Business and Entrepreneurship Degree at Mount Royal University, with a focus on International Business. She then went on to obtain her Fashion Design Diploma from Vancouver’s own Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Center. It was here that she fine tuned her skills and developed her ideas. Her time at Blanche Macdonald allowed her to shine in front of her peers and industry professionals, earning her the Design Portfolio of the Year award. After years of making sure she had the education to support her goals, she sought real-world experience, taking on positions like Studio Assistant at the Fashion Exchange building, Production Manager at clothing retailer Aritzia, and even instructing at Blanche Macdonald Fashion Center and Vancouver Community College in the Fashion Design programs. 

What truly makes Sheila Wong stand out in the industry, however, is her desire to help other artists succeed. Sheila loves collaborating with other designers and artisans, and has this to say to anyone who has ever wanted to see their own name on a piece of clothing: 

“Anyone can design and construct a garment, you just need the right amount of guidance and motivation. My goal is to help inspire people to create beautiful things. If you are passionate and driven, there is no reason why you cannot be creative every day.”

Tonight it is my pleasure to introduce Gasali Adeyemo. Gasali is an artisan from the Yoruba culture of Nigeria. He specializes in the traditional techniques of patterning cloth and dyeing it with African indigo. 

Gasali is a man who is full of stories. He is so full of stories, in fact, that I hesitate to tell you too much about him ahead of time for fear that I might give one of his tales away. But I think there is one that I can mention. One that emphasizes who he is and the courage of the transformation that he has made without giving too much away. 

Gasali grew up in Nigeria. He is from family of nine – all living in a small house, sleeping on the concrete floor. When he was preparing to leave Africa for the first time, he was in the airport in Nigeria. A man struck up a conversation and asked him where he was going. He replied that he was flying to the United States. The man was impressed. 

How is it that you can go there? The man  asked, What will you do there? 

I will teach indigo. Gasali replied. 

The man was incredulous. Why would someone invite a man all the way from Africa only to teach indigo? Indigo grew everywhere. Everyone knew you could dye with it. Why even bother with something so common? 

How can you afford your ticket? The man asked. 

Actually … they are paying for my ticket. Gasali replied. 

The man could not believe it. The world was a very strange place indeed. He walked away shaking his head. 

Now, what I want to emphasize with this story are three things: risk, love, and vision. 

When Gasali decided to follow in the path of his mother – who is also an indigo dyer, he took a huge risk. He took this risk because he loved indigo and he especially loved what it did to cloth. He still loves that, as those of you who are fortunate enough to be in his workshop will discover. But there was no way to know if his love of indigo was self indulgent or far-sighted. 

Today, we say that Gasali Adeyemo is a man of great vision. He lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a respected artisan. He flies all over the world talking and teaching about indigo. It is easy for you – some other artisans might say – you are a successful man and everyone wants you to speak and teach … 

But when Gasali was a young man, indigo was as common as the weeds by the side of the road – in fact many of the weeds by the side of the road were indigo plants. What was in between that young man and the many you are going to listen to tonight were many many, years of hard work and an unbelievable dedication. 

Risk. Love.  And vision. 

I often say that this audience is filled with makers. Making has the power to transform your life—sometimes in small ways and sometimes on a grand scale. I know of no other individual who’s life has been so radically changed through the potential of making. How? How has making transformed his life in such a profound way? 

To answer that question I turn over the floor to the man himself ... Gasali Adeyemo.

Tim McLaughlin introducing Gasali Adeyemo.