Upcoming Classes and Demos:
Ask the Sewing Expert (Private sewing lessons)
Friday 2/24, 2:00 – 4:00; Tuesday 2/28, 11:00 – 1:00; Wednesday 2/29, 11:00 – 1:00; Friday 3/9, 11:00 – 1:00; Wednesday 3/14, 11:00 – 1:00; Friday 3/16, 11:00 – 1:00; Wednesday 3/21, 11:00 – 1:00; Friday 3/23, 11:00 – 1:00; Saturday 3/10, 2:30-4:30.
$15 for 15 minutes, $20 for 30 minutes, $40 for 1 hour
One-on-one consultations with sewing expert Betty Jo Viramontes for help with your specific garment sewing questions of almost any sort from very beginning to advanced. She can help you through your challenges with fit, uncooperative fabrics or patterns, construction and seam techniques. She can also provide information on cloning your garment. So, if you have a beloved article of clothing that you would like her to copy so that you (or she) can make it later in another fabric, bring the garment with you. If you are brand new to sewing, she is happy to help you learn very basic sewing skills to prepare for other Beginning Sewing classes.
Please reserve and pay for your appointment ahead of time.
Sewing Knits Without a Serger Using a Commercial Pattern
Date: Tuesday 2/28. Time: 1:30 – 4:30
$35.
Advanced beginning skill level. Please read description of skill levels, below.
Tips on sewing knit fabrics without a serger. We will work with a pattern that has 3 choices of tee shirts, Christine Johnson 917. Please purchase the pattern, wash your fabric, and cut the shirt out ahead of time. Santa Fe Fabrics carries this pattern and many great knits. Leave the pattern pieces attached to the fabric when you bring it to class. Bring any stretch, ball point or double needles that you have, or be prepared to purchase them on the class day. You will need some clear elastic, and possibly fusible bias tape; both may also be purchased on class day. Please check the General Supply List and bring those items, and make sure your machine is in working order. Please reserve a spot, class size is limited
Instructor: Betty Jo Viramontes
Moth Holes Away Workshop
Saturday 3/10. Come any time between 1:30 and 3:30.
No cost and anyone is welcome.
Betty Jo has years of experience repairing moth holes in wool and cashmere sweaters, using a tiny piece of fusible interfacing gently steamed with your iron, to the wrong side of your sweater. Works for knitted sweaters and other wool knit fabrics (not wovens) with holes not more than about 1/8” in diameter. It is easy and quick, fuses the interfacing to the fibers so that they don’t continue to open, and closes up the hole. Bring one sweater with a hole, in case BJ has time to actually use your sweater as a demo, then you’ll even go home with your hole repaired and with the skills to fix the rest of your munched sweaters at home.
Custom PANTS Class: 3-part class with custom pattern tailored to fit your body
Dates: 3 Wednesdays, 2/29, 3/14 and 3/21. Time: 1:30 – 4:30 each day.
$85 plus $65 directly to instructor for pants pattern. (Total of $150)
Advanced beginning skill level. Please see description of skill levels.
Make pants that fit you and learn techniques to make them look great. This is a 3-part class. In the first class you will learn how to measure for a great fit and choose your pant style and fabric. You will also practice zipper installation. BJ will make each person a custom pattern before the next class. In the second class you will use your personal pattern and make it in muslin, learning how to perfect the fit, then cut it from your chosen fabric. In the third class you will finish the pants with guidance in professional techniques. Please check the General Supply List and bring those items, plus a few short zippers for practice. Please reserve a spot, class size is limited.
Instructor: Betty Jo Viramontes
Learn to Use Your Machine
Date: Friday 2/24. Time: 10:30 – 1:00 OR Saturday 3/10. Time: 10:30 – 1:00
$30. All skill levels welcome
Learn how to use that machine sitting in the closet. Bring it, a manual if you have one, thread and some bobbins, thread snips or scissors and larger scrap pieces of fabric on which to practice. Make sure to include the power cord and presser foot for your machine too. Learn about tension adjustments, how to wind the bobbin, needle choices for various fabrics, and basic maintenance. Please reserve a spot, class size is limited. Your machine must be in working order. Please take this class before any of the beginning classes so you are familiar with your machine enough to focus on your garment construction. This class will prepare you for our other Beginning Sewing classes.
Instructor: Betty Jo Viramontes
Woman’s Shirt Class with Tailoring Techniques: 3-part evening class
Sewing Workshop Liberty Shirt pattern
Dates: 3 Tuesdays, 3/6, 3/13, and 3/20. Time: 6:00 – 8:30pm.
$75
You will need to have intermediate garment sewing skills. Please see description of skill levels.
This is a unique and interesting twist on a classic shirt. You will learn some tailoring techniques, seam finishing details and how to miter a corner. Lorraine is an expert in tailored shirts and will help you achieve a crisp and professional look for this shirt. Please have your pattern and fabric ahead of time. (We carry the pattern, Sewing Workshop Liberty Shirt, and also many fabrics that would be perfect for the shirt.) You will also need one yard of non-fusible woven interfacing which Lorraine can help you choose if you’re not sure. The fabric should be washed, and the pattern pieces cut out and ironed. You don’t need to cut to the exact line on the pattern until the first class if you need help determining the best size. Please check the General Supply List and bring those items, and please reserve a spot, class size is limited.
Instructor: Lorraine Gruys
Simple Unlined Coat: 3-part class with commercial pattern
Date: 3 Fridays, 3/9, 3/16 and 3/23. Time: 1:30 – 4:30
$75
Advanced beginner skill level.
Make a stylish and simple unlined coat for spring. We have double faced fabric that can have unfinished edges, like wool/rayon bollito, boiled wool, or fleece. Choose either Marcy Tilton Vogue 8430 or Vogue 8605. Please come with your pattern; we offer them at the shop at a discount off normal retail price. First class will include pattern fitting and advice on fabric choices. Please check the General Supply List and bring those items, and please reserve a spot, class size is limited.
Instructor: Betty Jo Viramontes
Pockets
Date: Saturday 3/24. Time: 10:30-12:00
$30 for both, $25 for one
Learn how to make various styles of pockets—patch, bellows, sewn in the side seam, welted, etc. Demo with handouts. No sewing machine or supplies needed.
Instructor: Betty Jo Viramontes
PLUS
Matching Plaids and Prints
Date: Saturday 3/24. Time: 12:30-2:00
$30 for both, $25 for one
Learn when it’s important to match patterns and how easy it is to do. Demo; no sewing machine or supplies needed.
Instructor: Betty Jo Viramontes
Beginning Sewing: Simple skirt
Date: Wednesday 3/28. Time: 10:30 – 3:00 (4 hours with ½ hour break)
$40
This is a one-class project of a simple skirt. Ages 10 and up are welcome. Practice using a sewing machine and learn how to use a pattern. Bring your machine if you have one. We have a few and you may reserve one to use here if you don’t have one. We do request that you have used a machine before, and understand how to thread it and wind a bobbin. Please note the supply list and plan to bring those items plus skirt fabric and thread to match. The fabric should not be stretch, and should be pre-washed and dried. Your choice of 2 patterns is provided with the class registration. You will need to come by the store before the class to choose your pattern and style, and we will help you to determine the amount of fabric needed. Please reserve a spot, class size is limited. Bring water and a snack or lunch. Please read description of beginner skill level.
Instructor: Betty Jo Viramontes
Bernina Party:
Back by popular demand, Ann Silva Bernina will be bringing the new models of Bernina Sewing Machines up to our shop for a TBD March or April Saturday… stay tuned for the date and more details.
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Santa Fe Fabrics Sewing Classes General Information:
Location for all classes: Santa Fe Fabrics, 1100 Don Diego, Santa Fe
Our new shop, corner of Cordova and Don Diego, next to Dulce and behind Del Norte Credit Union.
(505) 988-5888
Skill levels:
Beginning: No garment sewing experience needed, but you should understand your machine, how to thread it and wind a bobbin and have practiced basic seams. If you don’t have these skills, take the Learning to Know your Machine class first.
Advanced beginning: You should be able to use a machine with a bit of skill and understand basic garment construction such as a dart and a facing.
Intermediate: You are familiar with a machine, have sewn garments, know how to put in a zipper (OK to be a bit rusty),
know how to read a pattern and cut out a garment.
General Supply List for all sewing classes; please be sure to bring these items to your class:
Fabric shears, thread snips, pins, seam ripper, thread for your fabric color, bobbins and needles for your machine, seam gauge ruler, measuring tape, scrap fabric. Some classes will have a specific supply list.
Sales Tax will be added to all class fees above.
To register or cancel: Please pay in advance to hold your slot by calling Santa Fe Fabrics with a credit card, or come by the store with cash, check or credit card. Please reserve a spot; class sizes are limited.
Please mark your calendar; we are not able to make reminder calls. If you need to cancel, please give 48 hours notice or we will not be able to give you credit. We cannot offer make-up time for missed classes, so make sure you can attend all classes in a series. If you miss one class, you will not be able to do the following ones in that series.
Please be on time. We have an “on time” requirement out of courtesy to other students and the instructor. Anyone arriving more than 15 minutes late will not be able to participate in the class, and will not be refunded.
Important: We may need to cancel a class if there are not enough people. If you see a class you want to take but the date is not right, let us know so we can plan to offer it again.
Sewing machines: Please bring your own machine, in good working condition, with all the cords, bobbins, feet and needles. If you like, reserve one of ours instead (we have 3 machines; Janome and Bernina). Just let us know when you register.
Class day Student Discount: 10% off anything in the store except items already marked down or new classes.
Our Instructors
Betty Jo (BJ) Viramontes is a professionally-trained pattern maker, fashion industry consultant and seamstress. She has worked in the fashion and pattern-making industry in LA for decades. She is now also a sewing and pattern-making instructor, and loves sharing her knowledge. Many of you know her from her frequent appearances at Santa Fe Fabrics for “Ask The Expert.”
Lorraine Gruys is a professional clothing designer, pattern-maker and seamstress. She has had a custom clothing business for over 20 years, with a specialty in bridal gowns in addition to teaching sewing from beginning sewing to tailoring. Students have ranged in age from 9 years to the mature, experienced sewer.