Best Overall: The New York Sewing Center Best for Beginners: Anita by Design Best Introduction to Pattern Making: Skillshare - Pattern Drafting Best Menswear and Accessories: The English Tailor Best Introduction to Draping: Skillshare - Garment Construction, Introduction to Draping Best Upholstery How-Tos: Kim’s Upholstery Best Sewing Hacks: Annika Victoria’s Sewing Hacks, Reviews, and Tricks
If a one-on-one private lesson is what you’re after, you can learn at your own pace courtesy of an instructor at a cost of around $60. The company is also flexible—if you don’t have a sewing machine, you can receive lessons in hand sewing, embroidering, or knitting. The New York Sewing Center team can also help you find a machine that matches what you’re looking for. You can also sign up for an online workshop. Offerings are constantly changing and updating. Past classes include Virtual Summer Top workshop (you’ll make a chic fabric and elastic top ) and Virtual Knit Jumpsuit class roughly ($275) , during which you’ll create your own soft, stretchy, and stylish jumpsuit (pattern included). The New York Sewing Center has classes designed for all levels, including kids. They can sign up for a Virtual Fashion Summer Camp (about $375), learn how to make a skirt and scrunchie outfit, and more. Prices vary depending on which class you choose, and they can last anywhere from one hour, a full day, or even 2 to 3 hours per week for up to six weeks to complete. The series begins with a breakdown of the supplies you’ll need to get started, and then moves on to projects that will have you learning and perfecting beginner-level techniques in no time. It’s important to follow the videos in order, as they build upon the skills learned in the previous demonstrations. The videos run from a handful of minutes to about two hours for each lesson. With Anita’s guidance, you’ll be able to complete a circle skirt, maxi skirt, straight skirt, T-Shirt, and shirtdress over the course of the 14-part series. Her teaching style is clear, precise, slow-moving, and designed for those who haven’t used a sewing machine before, so you won’t feel rushed or like you can’t keep up. Additionally, once you master the basics, Anita occasionally publishes intermediate-level tutorials for more experienced sewers, so you can take on a new challenge. In this Skillshare class, Yoo outlines how important the paper pattern is in garment production. The class is designed for beginners and will teach you a simple, four-step process for pattern drafting: measurement (taking proper measurements to build a pattern), detailing (creating different collar types), materials (choosing materials for the optimal fit), and finally, paper drafting (actually drafting the paper pattern). You’ll complete the lessons by creating a pattern for one of the workhorses of anyone’s wardrobe—the classic T-Shirt. If you don’t have a Skillshare membership yet, you’ll be able to take the class for free during the platform’s 30 day free trial period. A Basic Membership is free with limited access. The Premium Membership costs $32 per month, or about $170 annually. You can start with Coates’ Beginners Sewing Course or choose one of the individual garment courses that teach you how to make tailored trousers, a tailored jacket, button-down shirts, and a waistcoat. You can also get a demonstration on how to make your own jeans. In addition to actual garments, The English Tailor has a variety of videos focused on tips and tricks to help your sewing practice, advising on the best fabric, scissors, thread, sewing feet, pressing techniques, and more to expand and refine your technique. And to complement the jacket, trousers, and shirts you’ve made, you can also create your own bowties and cravats. Chee has since gained a reputation for her flowing, easy looks—and there’s probably no one better to teach you how to master draping. Her class will take you through the entire process of draping your own draped dress, so you can hit the ground running designing and constructing your own clothes. Draping is a basic technique—but also a critical garment construction skill that will solidify your skill set. Complemented with video instruction, the course is segmented into Preparation (understanding the tools and materials you’ll need to get started draping), Fabrics (knowing what to look for), Draping (how to pin and mark a muslin pattern to make your desired shape), Cutting (how to cut a muslin pattern), and the Final Look (transferring your pattern from muslin to fabric). The pricing is the same as the aforementioned Skillshare course on this list. While Chagnon has a variety of free upholstery tutorials available on her YouTube channel, becoming a member of her site will give you unlimited access to her in-depth upholstery training classes and archive, as well as a community of fellow upholstery peers. Plus, you can access Kim’s Upholstery classes on any device, whenever you’re free. With over 90 classes and new content released regularly, there is a vast variety of projects you can choose from. Chagnon will walk you through each step of the process, whether it’s making cushion covers, upholstering a vintage barrel chair, slipcovering chairs and loveseats, replacing springs, or something else. The price to become a member is about $49 per month, though you’ll be able to save around $98 with an annual subscription, which costs roughly $490 per year. With over 770,000 subscribers on YouTube, she has a wealth of free video tutorials explaining how to DIY your own clothing and accessories—from bralettes to onesies and even a dog sweater. But her series on Sewing Hacks is full of tips and tricks for anyone looking to sharpen their sewing skills. Starting with 8 Sewing Essentials You Can’t Live Without, you’ll get an explainer of some of the key tools to save time and make your beginner sewing experience go smoother (such a rotary cutter, a bodkin, hemming tape, and more). Victoria also reviews the process of using a handheld sewing machine and shares 7 Ways to Save Money When You Start Sewing, full of DIY hacks that will help you make your new sewing hobby a little more economical. Additionally, Victoria also shares some easy-to-pull-off technique hacks, such as how to shirr fabric and how to instantly pleat and ruffle. If you’re looking to learn some sewing tips and save money, it’s worth jumping in to watch these free videos, they each only take up around 10 minutes of your time.
