classes & events

Wednesday evenings, at 5ish.

Bring your own sewing projects, snacks, and beverages, and enjoy happy hour at Sew Memphis! It’s free! If you don’t have a project to work on, come anyway. We’ll inspire you. No need to sign up.

Please note: Sew Happy was established to foster community and allow folks to sew in good company. Occasionally we’ll present a simple project during Sew Happy (watch our facebook page for updates), but as a general rule, we cannot guarantee sewing instruction at this time. Those who are seeking sewing help will find it consistently at Open Instruction and Open Instruction After Hours. These sessions are staffed with experienced sewists who can help and answer questions.

Are you interested in making a group quilt to give away for a good cause? It’s free, and participation times are flexible!

We can work on this quilt during Sew Happy on Wednesdays from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., or just about anytime you can be at the shop. Participants can also take home the pattern pieces and background fabric to make blocks at home.

We’ll be using Carolyn Friedlander’s fresh, modern XOXO pattern which entails some paper piecing.  But do not fear! Beginners are welcome! Check out this youtube video if you’re interested in learning more about paper piecing.  Please know, it’s super easy, and the pattern we’ll use is also easier than the one in the video.

We’ll determine the size of our quilt by the number of quilters who are interested in helping and by the collectively agreed upon recipient. We could give the quilt to someone receiving chemo therapy, or a mom with a premature baby, or a veteran, or someone with a loved one in hospice.  All ideas should be discussed! And if, for some reason, a bunch of grown people can’t agree on who to give a quilt to, we’ll have a drawing:)

Every other Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

We are now offering our popular Open Instruction after hours!

Bring whatever you’re working on and your machine to the shop on designated Tuesday evenings, and Rachel or Sarah will be on hand to help and answer questions. Don’t have a machine? Don’t worry. You can use one of ours. Folks of all skill levels are welcome!

If you want to sew but can’t think of a project, sign up anyway! Rachel and Sarah will inspire you! The register will be open during this time in case you need supplies while you work.

photo credit: http://lovelyunion.com

Two Sessions:

• Monday through Friday, June 3-7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Monday through Friday, June 24-28, 9 a.m – 1 p.m. (sold out)

This camp is for girls, ages 8 and up.

Back by popular demand and with all new projects, fashion camp is perfect for fashionistas who want to learn the sewing basics and/or improve their current sewing skills.  Join Mary Allison Cates and friends in designing and creating one-of-a-kind couture made of fabric, found items, and vintage materials. Campers will use our shop machines to learn the sewing fundamentals including how to sew a straight seam, pivot around curves, do patchwork piecing, etc.  The week will culminate with a fashion show geared toward celebrating each camper’s unique creative expression. Friends and family are invited to the show!

Note: Price of camp includes materials, instruction, and a daily snack. Please pack a lunch each day for your child.

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Wednesday, June 19 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Beginning quilters are welcome to join Rachel Kannady for this intro to machine piecing/quilting and rotary cutting. Participants will design their own crib or throw-sized quilts in the log-cabin style and learn Rachel’s shortcuts for quilting as they go! (Note: Students are welcome to make larger quilts but will need to do some follow-up sewing at home to complete them.)

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Students will need to purchase/provide the following materials that are not included in the event fee. All materials are available at Sew Memphis at a 10% class discount:

-1 yard fabric for binding

-batting (size varies depending upon size of quilt you want to make)

-fabric for quilt top and backing (3 yards of assorted fabrics for a crib quilt, 6 yards of assorted fabric for a throw.) If you are using scraps from your stash, please make sure that they are at least 6″ x 10″ in size.

-thread

Bring your own machine or sign up early to reserve one of four shop machines.

Wednesday, July 10 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 13 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Sewists with basic machine knowledge are invited to join Sarah Terry in making this pleated crossbody purse, perfect for traveling about town or around the globe! 

Participants will learn the basics of following a pattern, creating simple pleats, making a strap, and installing a snap.

In addition to the $45 series fee, students will need to purchase/provide 2/3 of a yard of fabric for the purse exterior, 1/3 of a yard for the lining, 1/2 of a yard of interfacing, a snap, some tracing paper, and a pattern. All are available for purchase at Sew Memphis at a 10% class discount.

Bring your own machine or sign up early to reserve one of four shop machines.

Saturday, July 13 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

We’ve made this popular two-session series into a one-day summer workshop with time to walk into nearby Cooper Young for a quick lunch break!

Adults are invited to join Sewing School author and blogger Amie Plumley in making versatile, comfortable A-line skirts that can easily be altered to suit your own tastes and needs. You will learn the basics of using a commercial pattern, installing a back zipper, and getting a good fit. You’ll also be provided with a step-by-step guide so you can make the skirt again and again! This is a good entree into making adult clothing for both beginners and those who are already comfortable on the machine. 

Bring your own machine, or sign up early to reserve one of four shop machines.

Note: In addition to the workshop fee, students will need to purchase/provide about 2 yards of fabric, a pattern, and a zipper, all of which are available at Sew Memphis at a 10% class discount.

photo credit: danamadeit.com

Saturday, July 20 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 24 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

What do you get when you combine the 50′s poodle skirt shape with modern fabric and a little girl who likes to twirl? Some seriously stylish spinning!

Adults who are experienced sewists or gutsy beginners are invited to join Rebecca Balin in this adventure in kids’-clothes-making. Just bring the measurements of your circle-skirt recipient, and Rebecca will help you make a pattern that you can use over and over again. Once you grasp the concept (and beware: there is math involved), you can even make future circle skirts in adult sizes!

Participants will need to purchase/provide up to 1 yard of fabric, coordinating thread, and 2″ elastic in addition to the series fee. All supplies are available at Sew Memphis at a 10% class discount. Optional supplies include wine, beer, and brownies.

Bring your own machine, or sign up early to reserve one of four shop machines.

Saturday, July 20th from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Join Pannay Guigley in making weighted lap pads or blankets for children with sensory issues, including children on the autism spectrum. Popular with teachers and therapists, these pads/blankets help children concentrate in class and promote better sleep at home! For those who want to participate in this class but do not have a recipient in mind for the lap pad or blanket, come anyway. We will help your project find a good home!

This workshop is for people of all skill-levels who have some basic sewing machine knowledge.

In addition to the $25 workshop fee, participants will need to purchase/provide the following materials, all of which will be available at Sew Memphis at a 10% class discount:

-2 cuts of fabric for lap pad (1 half yard cut and one quarter yard cut)

-1 yard of fabric for weighted blanket

-1 20″ zipper

-1 yard muslin

-poly fill beads (5 lbs for the lap pad and up to 10 lbs for the blanket)

Colorful fabric is encouraged!

Bring your own machine or sign up early to reserve one of four shop machines.