OverDressed for Life

Regular ODFL readers might recall that for most of 2016 I have been on a journey learning to sew. I’ve taken four classes using a sewing machine and as part of my continued education I decided to take a hand-sewing class at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco.

I first learned to hand-sew when at 9-years-old I signed up for a kid’s quilting class through Parks and Rec. I made two quilted pillows all sewn by hand. My mother preferred hand-sewing and she taught me as well. Still, I wanted to relearn and hopefully add to my skill set.

Instructor Natalie Wiener has learned much about hand-sewing from her years building historical costumes.

That I did from instructor Natalie Wiener, notions buyer and manager at Britex. The class of six met for two hours on a rainy Saturday morning. We jumped right in learning:

• Running Stitch – good for basting
• Full Backstitch – to repair seams
• Spaced Backstitch – topstitiching and setting zippers by hand
• Fell – hemming
• Slip – also hemming
• Catch or Herringbone Stitch – hemming knits and my fave!

But there’s more! Natalie talked about tools and materials, for example the importance of thimbles – did you know they come in sizes? She also shared tips such as wax your thread to calm the thread fibers. (There is one tip that we all agreed has now changed our sewing lives, but sorry, not telling. You have to take the class.)

The two hours flew by. I really enjoyed the class and came away anxious to add some hand-sewing into my current project.

More classes will be scheduled in the new year. Check the website for information: https://www.britexfabrics.com/

Thank you, Natalie and Britex!