SUP Y’ALL. I’m back from my awesome trip to London and Paris, and just trying to settle in/catch up on everything I missed while I was gone (spoiler: most of it is shitty non-blog things, like renewing my car tags and shopping for new health insurance. BORING! Why did I let this all happen in December. Why.). I will have a round-up post covering my trip at, well, some point, but for now the blog will probably continue to be a little quiet while I spend the rest of my week trying to be an adult. I’m hoping I’ll be back to posting next week – so thanks for hanging in there while I sort things out. In the meantime, I wanted to talk about some cool shit that’s happening in the sewing world – in the IN-PERSON sewing world, that is! – in 2015! Some of which involves meeee 🙂
First up – Bramaking!
Y’all know, Madalynne, right? The cool sewing and bra making blog. Maddie and I have been online friends for a few years now – we met through our blogs, and we keep up through our blogs (ok, well, and through emails too. Love ya, Maddie!) – and it’s been so neat to watch her sewing, blogging, and lingerie really flourish into the beautiful thing that it is now. Big emphasis on the bras – homegirl makes some of the prettiest bras I ever did see. And now she’s decided to finally take the leap into teaching and passing on those skills to those of us who are dying to learn them too.
Bramaking with Madalynne is a full day intensive class that will teach you how to make a full band, underwired bra. The price includes the pattern and all supplies, as well as lunches and snacks. You can read all the juicy details in Madalynne’s post here, as well as sign up through the New Old Fashioned (better hurry, tho, bc there’s only space for 8 people!). After hearing all you Canadians brag about the bra making classes you take (yes, I’m onto you. And I’m jealous of you.), finally us Americans get a piece of that action! And we don’t even have to eat Maddie’s brains to steal her knowledge – she’s going to give it to us! Notice I said “us” – because I’m going to the class as well! Yesss!! An excuse to visit Philly (which I’ve never been before! Pittsburgh, however… no. Let’s not talk about my short stint in Pittsburgh, woof.), some hang time with Madalynne, and making fancy underwear? Fuck yes, count me in. So yeah – let’s make bras together, y’all!
Next up – Pants Making!
Ok, I already talked about about this before, so sorry to sit here and repeat myself. But I do think it bears repeating 🙂 This March 21-22, I’m returning to Brooklyn, NY, to teach another round of the Weekend Pants-Making Intensive at WORKROOM SOCIAL. I am really really excited about this one; I love teaching, I love making pants, and I love teaching people how to make pants! We are going to have an amazing time, I can already feel it!
WORKROOM SOCIAL classes are fabulous because they include 2 days of intense pants-making (for us, that means basic pants-fitting, learning how to sew the front fly, pockets, and waistband, as well as little sewing tips and tricks for increasing your speed and accuracy), catered lunch and snacks, use of all machines and tools in the studio, aaaand you’ll probably get a really good ab workout because we will be laughing at LOT! This shit is gonna be so much fun! Check out the details of the class on their website, and you can also read about the class I taught while I was there in August. The space will fill up fast, so get your registration in before the class sells out!
Next on the agenda – Sewing Retreat! (aka make whatever the hell you want!)
Ughhh, you guys, this one is REALLY exciting to me. I hope you can feel the excitement radiating from my computer screen to yours, because I’ve been bouncing all over the walls while planning this. On September 24-27, I will be flying up to Portland, ME, to host a 4 day weekend sewing retreat at A Gathering of Stitches. One thing that’s always been a bit of a gamble with project-specific classes is that some people just plain aren’t interested in the project that the class is centered around. It’s hard to satisfy everyone with those – there’s always someone who doesn’t like the pattern, or maybe their skill level doesn’t quite jive with what the class requires (or it’s beyond the class!), or maybe they want to learn something else entirely. I’ve always loved the idea of doing a sewing retreat where people pick their own projects – bonus if it’s located in a gorgeous area that can double as a mini-vacation (or continue into a vacation after the retreat ends) – but I’m also kinda the worst planner ever (this should not be a secret at this point, ha!). Samantha contacted me a few months ago and asked if I’d like to teach at A Gathering of Stitches, and an open-project retreat was the first thing that came out of my mouth. She was immediately on board with the idea, and we’ve been in cahoots about it ever since. And now I finally get to announce it! Yay!
This retreat will take place up in gorgeous (so I’m told 😉 ) Portland, Maine. We chose the September date because it’s supposed to be very beautiful during that time of year. For 4 days, I will work with a small group of people on WHATEVER projects they so desire (kind of like Susan Khalje’s Couture Sewing School, except, you know, NOT couture 😉 ). Want to work on fine tuning your fit so you can really nail that TNT pattern? Want to make a coat? What about pants? Do you just want to hang out and sew with other awesome people who are also sewing and know that you have a teacher on hand for any last-minute oh-shit-I’ve-made-a-huge-mistake situations? I GOT YOU. This is *your* retreat, and you can spend it however you like! We’ll also be doing catered lunches every day, a big awesome meal at a local farm on the last night, and evenings are always free for you to go out and explore the area and maybe even whoop it up 🙂 Alsoooo, just FYI, but NYC is only a 50 minute plane ride away… if that sways ya 😉 (it swayed me!) (we could always hit up the Garment District after the retreat… you know, because reasons.)
You can find out more information about the retreat here. It does cover tuition, studio space + equipment (and of course, you are welcome to bring your own if that’s your thing!), plus a few meals, but lodging is not included (I’m told that prices are pretty reasonable in that area tho, and Samantha has a nice list of accommodations should you need help finding one!). I will be in touch with everyone prior to the retreat so we can discuss your project and goals, to ensure that you get the BEST experience during the retreat. There are limited spots for this retreat and we expect it to fill up fast, so register early! We are gonna have an AMAZING time, y’all!
Finally – Camping!
Have y’all heard about Camp WORKROOM SOCIAL? This is a 4 day camp with 2 days of intense sewing – at an actual summer camp in upstate NY! Jennifer has really killed it with this one – there are 5 classes to choose from (Bra making, pattern drafting, jeans making, fitting, and dressmaking), lodging, meals and shuttle service are provided. Oh, and pretty much all the instructors and camp counselors (YES THERE ARE COUNSELORS!) are some of my favoritest people ever! Camp WORKROOM SOCIAL is going to be amazing! Unfortunately, I won’t be making this one – I already committed to an epic vacation with my BFF over the summer (we’re going to Peru! For two weeks! Ahhh!), so my travel money is already spoken for 🙂 However, I think camp sounds amaaaazing and y’all should definitely get on it. Yes.
So those are some of my (and hopefully your!) upcoming plans for 2015! Really excited for all these classes and retreats – not to mention a few more excuses to travel 🙂 Anyone else going to these workshops and retreats? What are you most excited about?
LLADYBIRD 
Seems to become an awesome year, this 2015. And yeah for the snow! 🙂
Yes! I love it when WordPress gives me snow for December 🙂 I always forget about it until it happens, and then it just makes me so happy 🙂
I’m loving the snow 😀
Ditto. I’ve seen snowy blogs before, and it always makes me smile. (Also, it’s kind of Tennessee snow – a flake here…a flake there…not enough to stick… 😀 ).
But enough to cause a small ruckus 🙂 haha! 🙂
Ahhhhhh man! I WISH I could go to the the Portland thing… It’s one of my favorite destinations and only 4 hours away from home,… but I have to work. Man! I can’t believe i’ll have to pass up sewing with you for 4 days straight just because of boring-old-work. 😛
GIRRRLL don’t you get some sick days? Er… I mean, vacation days 🙂 haha! Bummer you’ll miss out! I totally understand though – my old job was always cramping my style when it came to taking time off.
I wish that I could go to Portland as well. Four days of nothing but sewing? Sounds like a dream vacation. However, living a kajillion miles away from Portland, having a family, and a job means I’m relegated to sewing at nights and sometimes on the weekend. Maybe when we’re back in the States I can hit one of you classes/retreats.
I’m sure there will be more retreats in the future 🙂
Bloody hell those sewing retreats sound epic! This is what the sewing world has been missing out on I think, there haven’t been a whole lot of getaway classes. I’m glad you guys up in the ol’ US are sorting stuff out. I’m trying to get a sewing retreat going out here in Cyprus too….I mean sewing, barbequing, sunshine and mountain views….hells yes! Maybe you can come and do some teaching here too Lauren?! 😉
Ummmmm, YES PLEASE! I would SO be down for teaching a retreat in Cyprus, are you kidding me!? Talk about a dream job! 😀
I agree with you, though, I think getaways and retreats are something that the sewing world is missing out on! Combining sewing with vacation (and leaving it short enough so that you could continue your vacation before/after and still only need to take a week off work) is basically the most perfect idea ever as far as I’m concerned 🙂
Um, please tell me more about these Canadian bra-making classes. This Canadian hasn’t found any!
Hahaha you’ll have to ask the Canadians 🙂 All I know is that I keep hearing people talk about going to bra-making classes in Canada and I’m super jealous and butthurt about it 🙂
I’m really excited about seeing you back again in brooklyn.. already got a bike for you and all
GIRL. You have no idea how excited *I* am! :DDD
I *think* I can go to the pants making workshop in NYC – I really need to finalize plans before the class fills up, but hopefully in a few months you’ll be telling me all about my crotch shape, haha!
Ohhh, I hope you can make it! At the risk of sounding creepy (ah, what the hell haha)… I would love to tell you all about your crotch shape. lololol
oh man, I live right smack in the middle of all these things! I’m sure I will see you for at least one of them 😀
That would be awesome! 😀
I actually go to Camden, ME for work a lot. And, fly into Portland. Maybe I need to coordinate a trip. OR schlep to Philadelphia for a coffee.
PLEASE! Either, or both! It would be beyond awesome to get to finally meet you in person!
Oh, man! Portland, Maine is wonderful, I think you’ll have a wonderful town in the city! I always love being there!
I’m definitely looking forward to it! 😀
I am so jealous of Camp Workroom Social, but the skill level of the classes doesn quite fit my needs to justify that kind of expense even thought I ssssoooo wanna hang out and sew with that entire crowd!! I am pouting about that a bit, truth be told. The Gathering of Stitches open sewing retreat in Portland would definitely be my kinda jam. YES, Portland ME is awesome and beautiful and that time of year… so perfect.
I totally understand what you mean. Sometimes, it’s worth it just to go and hang out… but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can still justify the cost! BUT you should come to Portland! I think we are going to have an AMAZING time, and you can pick whatever project you want to bring, based on whatever skills you want to work on while you’re there 🙂
I want to make pants and bras and go to sewing retreats. Take me with you?
// Oh wait. Poo, no vacation, no moneys.
Looks like a good time though! You’ll have to keep us posted!
(Also thank you for sharing that link to Madalynne’s site. Such a lovely blog!)
Haha, I hear ya, I’m poor and I don’t get paid time off either 🙂 I just have to save up for a loong time to make it work 🙂
And yes, love Maddie’s blog! Glad to have helped push that discovery for you 😀
You’re coming to Maine!!??!! Yay!!!!! Portland is amazing- I lived there for 7 years- and September is gorgeous. I can’t contain this excitement right now. And the Gathering of Stitches studio looks amazing!
I am!! Will I see you at the retreat, yes?! 😀
Are you planning on any classes in good ole Nashville?
For now, just the bi-monthly Open Sewing Labs I host at the Fabric Studio 🙂 I’m also available for private lessons if you fancy those! 🙂
Oh why oh why do I have to live in Australia 🙂
I would totally come to you if the plane tickets weren’t so damn expensive! 😛
OMG!! Done and Done! Just booked the Portland, Maine retreat and I am beyond excited. Sewing for 4 days, plus, duh….Maine and of course, getting to meet you after following your blog and sew stalking you for the past three years 🙂 Cannot WAIT!
I’m thinking I need to make a stop in NYC on the way home to Virginia. Not yet been to Mood and would love the opportunity to shop with some other material hoarders. Umm, I mean sewists :p
Ahhhh so exciting!! I can’t wait to meet and sew with you! 😀
Whether or not I can make it to Mood (I’m going to try, but I need to see how things look a little closer to the retreat date), I absolutely recommend going out of your way to make a trip of it. it’s a really awesome place to check out – hell, the entire Garment District is amazing – and you won’t regret it. Just make sure you bring a list, because the variety of options available can be a bit overwhelming at first 🙂
Oh good idea! I’ll make sure to have specific projects in mind so I know what type of materials I’m after. I can’t wait! It’s going to be magical!
Please have a pants workshop in Nashville!
I unfortunately don’t have the time/space/resources to organize a workshop of my own (that’s why I let someone else do the planning and I just come in to teach!), so there likely won’t ever be one in Nashville. Sorry 😦 However, I am available for local private lessons if you’re interested 🙂
So either we need to find someone in Nashville to plan etc or next time I’m planning a trip there I need to set some up. I sew but struggle with fit etc.
Well, yeah, if someone wants to take on the planning part, I’m all for it! 🙂 I’m just a poor planner haha 🙂 OR you can just come to NYC and tie it in with a vacation – always a bonus in my book 🙂
I live an 1 1/2 north of Portland and have been wanting to attend a sewing weekend….I might have to make this happen. Plus I haven’t been to A Gathering of Stitches altough I’ve read about it.