Sewing 104: Alterations

Helena has been in the apparel manufacturing business for over 40 years. Entering the field as a stitcher, she worked her way up to designing technical apparel patterns for Brands like Susan Bristol, JJill, Brass Clothing, Bennet & Co, and Sterlingwear. She has been teaching technical pattern-making since 2012. In her spare time, she quilts, paints watercolors, and is an extreme gardener.

In this 3-hour class students will learn basic alteration techniques like seam ripping, marking, pinning, how to attach buttons and hooks, fix ripped clothes, shorten and lengthen hems, fix holes, and sweater pulls.

Students will apply these new skills by altering one clothing item they bring from home.

Students will become comfortable using simple measuring, including body measuring for alterations.

The materials fee for this class is $35. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in cash or through Venmo.

The goal of the class is for participants to learn and get comfortable with basic alteration techniques and use them when fixing clothing or accessories.

Materials, tools, and trims to make alterations.

Tools for the course

• Good fabric shears

• Paper scissors

• Thread snippers

• Pins and clips

• Pin holder

• Safety pins

• Seam ripper

• Tape measure

• Clear plastic ruler

• FriXion Pen or other heat erasable pen

• Tweezers

• Pencil, paper pad, eraser

• Tailors Chalk

• Thimble

• Hand needles

• Needle threader

• Wrist pin cushion

If you don’t own these tools, do not worry. You will be able to purchase any tools you are missing individually or buy a kit with the most needed tools. The cost of this kit is $40.00

Some of the tools are available to borrow in the workroom.

Students must be 16 years or older. Students under 18 must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a responsible adult.

Students should wear closed-toe shoes. No flip-flops. They should wear clothes that cannot get caught in equipment. Wearing an apron is preferred.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Artisan's Asylum, 96 Holton Street, Boston, United States