Thanks to the internet, there are now huge numbers of tutorials available at a click for people wanting to learn to sew, master new techniques or advance their skills. But sometimes it’s overwhelming, and can be even more so if you’re curvy or plus size and need more specific guidance – with the exception of the Curvy Sewing Collective, relevant and high quality information can be hard to find.
That’s why I think there will always be a place for plus size sewing classes, whether online or in person. Sometimes a few hours of tuition can help more than years of tutorials that don’t quite meet your needs. Plus, if you are able to attend one in person it can be really wonderful to meet women with similar sewing and fitting experience to swap tips and war stories!
Today I’m doing a round-up of the plus size and curvy sewing classes and workshops available – and if you know of any more, do leave a comment and share.
Plus Size Sewing Classes: In Person
Currently, there aren’t many plus size sewing in-person classes out there, but that is slowly changing!
Cashmerette Workshops
There are two upcoming weekend Appleton Wrap Dress workshops for beginners or sewists new to working with knits – and I’m teaching! (Jenny Rushmore of Cashmerette Patterns). We’ll be getting into fitting for curves, how to grade between sizes, and how to sew a non-gaping neckband. The classes are suitable for anyone a sewing size 12 (store size 8) up to 28.
The first workshop is at WORKROOM SOCIAL in Brooklyn, NYC on May 14th & 15th (click here for more info), and the second is at the brand new Stitch Sew Shop in Alexandria, VA (just outside D.C.) on June 4th & 5th (click here for more info).
Brooks Ann Camper Couture
Brooks Ann Camper offers sewing classes in Hillsborough, NC, and while they’re not specifically plus size they are focused on drafting and sewing for your specific body type. She also has small enrollment interactive on-line classes available on her website.
Other classes
In addition, there are sewing classes, events and conferences that don’t currently focus on plus size sewing, but could be of interest, particularly if there’s a lot of opportunity for one-on-one guidance or the teacher has experience sewing for plus sizes.
In the U.S., these include Camp Workroom Social in upstate NY, Susan Khalje classes in Baltimore (focused on couture sewing), A Gathering of Stitches in Portland, ME, Palmer Pletsch workshops in locations across the US, and Sewing Retreats with Sandra Betzina in San Francisco. For U.K. classes, check out this great directory. (Do you know about classes in other countries? Mention them in the comments!). There are also often classes at local fashion colleges – just bear in mind that these almost always focus on sewing for very small sample sizes, and to date I’ve never heard of any that cater to, or really even understand, plus size fashion.
If you wish more of these events would offer plus size-specific classes, you should let them know. I know from experience that there is skepticism about how much people are looking for these types of classes, and it’s only if people ask that the demand becomes clear!
Plus Size Sewing Classes: Online
Craftsy
Craftsy currently has two online sewing classes aimed at plus size sewists, and we’ve already reviewed them below so you can learn more before you buy. Craftsy classes often go on sale so it’s worth joining their mailing list so you hear about the latest deals.
- CSC Review: Plus Size Pattern Fitting & Design with Barbara Deckert
- CSC Review: Plus Size Pant Fitting with Kathleen Cheetham
In addition, these other classes that aren’t plus size specific but could be relevant:
- CSC Review: Easy Fitting the Palmer/Pletsch Way
- CSC Review: Sewing Bras: Designer Techniques
- CSC Review: Pant Fitting Techniques
- Adjust the Bust with Kathleen Cheetham
- Fast Track Fitting with Joi Mahon
- Pattern Grading for Sewers with Kathleen Cheetham
Burda University
Burda has one plus size specific course, taught by CSC editor Mary Danielson Perry: Pattern Grading for Plus Sizes. It’s a great option if you want to sew patterns that don’t come in your size range, such as vintage patterns.
PatternReview.com
Pattern Review doesn’t have any specific plus size sewing classes at this time, but they do have one class on bust adjustments that could be interesting to you if this is something you have to do a lot!
Have you taken any of these classes? Or do you know of more? We want to make this post a resource for all plus size sewists, so let us know!
I love hot patterns they come in a range of sizes from 6 – 26 the styles are great, the patterns come with clear instructions and are supported by an on line site where sewers show their creations. Responses are always supportive & positive. There are also sites that give sewing or designing details for many individual patterns. I also find that the patterns are cut larger and instead of 20 I use between 16-18 another bonus the site to visit is http://www.hotpatterns.com. Good luck
Hi, Jenny. This note is regarding how to fit pants. I recently developed a technique to make room in the crotch after noticing discomfort there when I sat down, particularly when trying on Ready To Wear bottoms. The technique worked great. It involved adding an oval shaped piece of fabric about 3″ x 4.5″ at the crotch. There was trial and error involved. Would you like me to create a diagram and further description?
I’d like you to!!! Please!!
Thanks for the mention, Jenny! I am so looking forward to your weekend at Stitch Sew Shop – it will be here before we know it!
xoxo
I’ve taken several classes with Sarah Veblen and she has done an amazing job with fitting and has a wealth of sewing information. I learn something new every time I work with her!! Sarahveblen.com.
I’ll second the recommendation for Sarah Veblen. I was beyond plus size when I first went to her, and she did the best job ever of fitting me. Previously I’ve worked with all the big names in the sewing world. I work with Sarah a lot now because she does a fabulous job and size is never an issue with her. I highly recommend her.
If any one is interested, I have gone to using Silhouette patterns they come with B,C and D cup sizes. She also has free webcast every other Monday to help with fitting her patterns. She feel as a company it is her obligation to make sure you get the best fit from her pattern to look your best.
I am now a Brooks Ann Camper groupie. Her skirt pattern making class was hugely informative and enjoyable. I knew she could help me fit my curvy body when I saw the beautiful wedding dress she made for a plu sized bride: http://www.brooksann.com/greta/. She can give individual help via Skype, or pictures, or if you’re lucky enough to be anywhere near her North Carolina studio in person when she has office hours. Her teaching style was particularly clear and humorous. I especially appreciated her explanation of why a starting circumference based on either your hips or belly may not be enough for your body, and the clever way she had us deal with the problem.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, Cañada College in Redwood City has fit classes as well as a Moulage class. These Fit class teach how to do alterations for all body types. The Moulage class has you make a pattern to your exact measurements. In all the general sewing classes one makes at least one garment in your size. Fitting help is available as you do patter work and sew. I’ve learned so much there. In morning commute I travel 2 hours to get there and it is worth it. (It only takes 40 minutes in non-commute hours.)
I like Joi Mahon’s Craftsy class on fit. It is a different way to fit than any other method I’ve tried.
I don’t live in the Bay Area, but I’ve read wonderful things about those Cañada College classes from other sewing bloggers. It seems like a great resource if you live nearby!
I took Brooks Ann Camper’s Skirt Skills class online, and it was fantastic. What a treasure trove of knowledge for any sewer. I’m a beginner at sewing clothes and learned so much from the class. The FB group was fun and supportive, and of course the women were a variety of shapes, sizes, and sewing experiences – all of us just wanting to see each other feeling drop-dead gorgeous in drop-dead gorgeous skirts of OUR OWN DESIGN. Really recommended!!
I think fitting sewing patterns for any size presents challenges. Maybe we should try and define what the issues are when it comes to fitting patterns for plus sizes. Of course the obvious one is finding patterns that are for plus sizes but what else?
My dream pattern would have cup sizes, the bust apex would be lower by 1″ and the shoulder slope would be 1/4″.
Yay! Thank you so much for including me in this list!!! I love teaching women how to make custom clothes! We don’t use sizes or standard measurements at all (drafting everything from scratch using only info from your body or your personal preference), so it’s really great for anyone who doesn’t match traditional sizing.
Do you mind correcting my name in this post? I go by my first and middle name of “Brooks Ann” (only a few friends and family call me “Brooks”). It looks funny to me to see “Brooks Camper” in print for my name and my business title! To see my bridal site visit http://www.BrooksAnn.com and to learn more about my eCourses visit http://www.SkirtSkills.com
Thanks so much for everything. I love the CSC!