In this introductory intensive workshop, students will learn to master the basics of sewing. If you’re a beginner or someone who needs a refresher, this class is for you!  Students will learn basic sewing machine mechanics and accessories, sewing machine control and coordination (sewing in lines, curves and corners), basic hand sewing and stitches, fabric and notion selection, proper cutting techniques, and how to start designing and executing  your own sewing projects. 

Note: The Museum School has Singer Brilliance 6180 brand sewing machines, tools and fabric for students to use but please feel free to bring your own machine and supplies if you’d like. 

Saturday, February 3
10 am – 3 pm

Instructor: Selah Peña
Age: Adult (15+) | Beginner to Intermediate

Do you have a piece of clothing that you’ve always wanted to fix or alter? This is the class for you! This class will focus on the heming or repairing of dress shirts or blouses. Students will work under the guidence of the instructor and learn introductory techniques for heming and repairing your clothing. Students will focus on learning to take measurements and then alter or repair the shirts. Some experience is helpful but not necessary.

Note*: The museum has sewing tools and machines for students to use but please feel free to bring in your machine or any other tools you may have that you are comfortable with using. 

Tuesday, January 16
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Selah Pena
Adult: (15+) | All levels

In this 4 week course students will learn to master the basics of sewing and complete your very own pillow cover from a design and fabric of your choosing. If you’re a beginner or someone who needs a refresher, this class is for you!  Students will learn basic sewing machine mechanics and accessories, sewing machine control and coordination (sewing in lines, curves and corners), basic hand sewing and stitches, fabric and notion selection, proper cutting techniques, and how to start designing and executing  your own sewing projects. 

Note: The Museum School has Singer Brilliance 6180 brand sewing machines, tools and fabric for students to use but please feel free to bring your own machine and supplies if you’d like. 

Wednesdays, January 3 – 24
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Selah Peña
Age: Adult (15+) | Beginner to Intermediate

This one day workshop will take students through Western marbling techniques on fabric and then construct a book wrapped in their own marbled cloth. Students will begin with the introduction of marbling on fabric and working with the instructors, they will develop new patterns with an eye for nuance. The primary focus will be on marbling fabric to create book cloth and techniques for other textile uses will also be discussed. Using the marbled fabric they created, students will create book cloth to use on the cover of the book they will bind. The instructor will teach his unique binding style based on methods used in contemporary Northern Italy. Each student will leave with a handbound book covered in fabric they patterned and marbled. All materials provided.

Saturday, March 9
10 am – 5 pm

Instructor: Pietro Accardi
Age: Adult (15+) | All levels: Some book arts experience is helpful but not required:

In this 3 week course students will learn how to make their own custom christmas stockings. The instructor will guide the class through the design process and help bring students’ unique ideas to life. Students will be able to make 2 – 4 stockings and please bring your choice fabric to class as there will be limited options.  

Note: The Museum School has Singer Brilliance 6180 brand sewing machines, tools and some fabric for students to use but please feel free to bring your own machine and supplies if you’d like. 

Thursday, December 7 – 21
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Selah Peña
Age: Adult (15+) | Some sewing experience required

Do you have a piece of clothing that you’ve always wanted to fix or alter? This is the class for you! This class will focus on winter coats and students will work under the guidence of the instructor and learn introductory techniques for heming and repairing your clothing. Students  will focus on learning to take measurements and then repair and alter the jacket. Some experience is helpful but not necessary.

*Note: Please do not bring in waterproof jackets.

Saturday, November 11
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Selah Pena
Adult: (15+) | All levels

A clamsehll box, is a type of protective packaging and storage solution typically used for valuable or delicate items such as books, documents, artwork, photographs or other valuable objects. The design of a clamshell box resembles the shape of a clamshell and consists of two hinged halves that open and close like a book. Students will work closely with the instructor to create a custom designed box and basic tips and tricks of box making will be shared during the construction of the box. All materials are provided.

Saturday, November 11
10 am – 5 pm

Instructor: Pietro Accardi
Adult: (15+) | All levels

Celebrate the opening of the exhibition, “End of the Range: Charlotte Skinner in the Eastern Sierra,” by needle felting a tiny bird reminiscent of what Ms. Skinner would have been familiar with while painting in the Owens Valley. This beginner workshop will offer an overview of needle felting tools and techniques, types of wool as well as basic blending methods, while sculpting wool into a three-dimensional bird. This course is perfect for the beginner or more advanced student. All materials will be provided.

Saturday, November 4
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Lynn Short
Adult: (15+) | All levels

Celebrate the opening of the exhibition, “End of the Range: Charlotte Skinner in the Eastern Sierra,” by needle felting a tiny bird reminiscent of what Ms. Skinner would have been familiar with while painting in the Owens Valley. This beginner workshop will offer an overview of needle felting tools and techniques, types of wool as well as basic blending methods, while sculpting wool into a three-dimensional bird. This course is perfect for the beginner or more advanced student. All materials will be provided.

Monday, October 16 
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Lynn Short
Adult: (15+) | All levels

Do you have a piece of clothing that you’ve always wanted to fix or alter? This is the class for you! This class will focus on the heming or repairing of dress shirts or blouses. Students will work under the guidence of the instructor and learn introductory techniques for heming and repairing your clothing. Students will focus on learning to take measurements and then alter or repair the shirts. Some experience is helpful but not necessary.

Note*: The museum has sewing tools and machines for students to use but please feel free to bring in your machine or any other tools you may have that you are comfortable with using. 

Monday, October 23
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Selah Pena
Adult: (15+) | All levels