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by Carley Lake |
Last Updated: May 29, 2020 I’m excited to start a new hobby and take beginner sewing classes or embroidery classes as I have more time indoors. Maybe I’ll learn more embroidery techniques. Will I be the next Danielle Clough? No. And that’s okay.
If you do find yourself with extra time, check out the best pattern making, embroidery, mending, and sewing online classes.
*Some of these links contain affiliate links in which I earn a commission if you make a purchase, this is at no extra charge to you but helps me run this blog. Thank you so much for your support as a reader and follower of Thoughtful Flamingo.
1. Painting with Thread: Modern Embroidery for Beginners
Platform: Skillshare
Offered by: Embroiderer Badass Danielle Clough
Starts: Ongoing
Duration: You can do this beginner embroidery class in your own time, includes 1 hour and 30 minutes of video lessons
Price: Skillshare offers 2 months free, 8€ a month ongoing if you pay for the year, 14€ a month if you pay month to month
Danielle Clough does the coolest embroidery and has worked with brands and artists like Nike, Gucci, Adobe, and Netflix to create unique embroidery pieces. (I mean how much cooler does it get than a Tina Fey embroidery piece.)
Her groundbreaking techniques and nontraditional materials mixed with her authentic and fun teaching style make the class super fun.
She teaches you how to prepare your needle, about the thread, and fabric, basic stitches, and even her signature color-blending stitching technique.
2. Cute Embroidery Cacti. Hand Embroidery 101
Platform: Skillshare
Offered by: Hoops and Expectations Embroderier Cristina Alcantara
Starts: Ongoing
Duration: Can do in your own time, includes 18 minutes of video lessons
Price: Skillshare offers 2 months free, 8€ a month ongoing if you pay for the year, 14€ a month if you pay month to month
If you want to start off with a simple and short embroidery project this class may be more for you. You will learnall about must have embroidery materials and supplies, how to transfer your designs onto fabric (what I really wanted to know!), how to create 4 different stitches, and how to finish the back of your hoop.
The instructor says, “Let me show you that embroidery is not a grandma thing anymore. It can be a lifestyle, a hobby, a passion, a moment of relaxing or any other thing that it can to inspire you.”
3. Intro to Visible Mending by Hand: Fix Your Jeans – Simply and Beautifully!
Platform: Skillshare
Offered by: The Far Woods Instructors Nina and Sonya Montenegro
Starts: Ongoing
Duration: You can do in your own time, includes 22 minutes of video lessons
Price: Skillshare offers 2 months free, 8€ a month ongoing if you pay for the year, 14€ a month if you pay month to month
I am all about visible and hand mending during this quarantine and this is one of my favorite beginner sewing classes. I just need some help and this short class showed me the basic tools I needed to get started. In this class, you learn how to fix a hole in the knee of your jeans by hand, with a few basic tools, in a few simple steps. You also don’t need to know how to sew to take this class.
They focus on getting you comfortable with two basic hand-sewing stitches: the whip stitch and running stitch.
The class is taught by Nina and Sonya Montenegro, a sister design and maker team living on an organic farm outside of Portland, running their creative studio called The Far Woods.
4. Sewing 101: Building A Strong Sewing Foundation
Platform: Udemy
Offered by: Let’s Learn To Sew Instructor Margaret Smith
Starts: Ongoing
Duration: Can do in your own time, includes 2 hours on-demand video, 6 articles, 8 downloadable resources, and full lifetime access
Price: €19.99
This course follows the same format Margaret has used to teach hundreds of people how to sew in her studio, fabric stores, and schools for over 15 years. It is another one of my favorite beginner sewing classes.
She starts right from the beginning (yay for beginner sewing classes!), so don’t worry if you’ve never sewed before.
You will need a sewing machine though to participate in the teachings. For example, she starts by taking a quick look at the sewing machine and some of the tools used in sewing. You’ll learn how to thread a machine, cut fabric, stitches and seam finishes, how to sew a pillow, and more.
5. Pattern Cutting & Making for Absolute Beginners – Fashion
Platform: Udemy
Offered by: Pure Pattern Cutting Instructor Caroline Barulis
Starts: Ongoing
Duration: Can do in your own time, included 1.5 hours on-demand video, full lifetime access
Price: €19.99
This is a perfect short course to teach you the basic fundamentals of pattern cutting & making and one of the best beginner sewing classes online. The instructor covers pattern cutting basics, basic garment construction, tools and equipment needed, necklines and seems, and how to create a basic shift dress and basic pencil dress patterns.
The course is taught across video only.
Enjoy your classes and supporting these teachers, makers, and schools!
Recommended Reading
Upcycling Clothes Ideas from Hidden Opulence Design House
Get your next mending, alteration, & upcycling clothes ideas with upcycling pro Drea Johnson of sustinable & repair-focused Hidden Opulence Design House.
Visible Mending 101 With Expert Lucie of @WeMadeTogether
Learn how to fix holes in your shirts, sweaters, jeans, and even leggings with visible mending. Steps by the woman who taught me—Lucie of @wemadetogether.
How to Make an Easy, No-Sew DIY Face Mask With a Bandana
Learn how to make an easy, no-sew DIY face mask with a bandana + hair ties in under 2 minutes for short outings during quarantine.