This is an alphabetical list of all the classes that Sarah Veblen teaches in her Intensive Study Program in Fashion Design. Sewing With Sarah and Day of Fabric Shopping in NYC are weekend/day getaways. To view a calendar of classes and getaways, please visit the Class Schedule. Feel free to contact Sarah (by phone at 410.472.9253 or by e-mail at sarah@sarahveblen.com) if you are interested in having her run one of these classes or getaways that is not on the current class schedule. Sarah also offers individual instruction. Please visit the Private Lessons page for more information. Visit the photo gallery for photos from some of these classes.

Table of Contents

Clicking a class in the list below will take you to that class's summary further down this page.

• CREATING ENSEMBLES
• CREATING YOUR OWN PERFECT LITTLE "BLACK" DRESS
• DAY OF FABRIC SHOPPING IN NEW YORK
• DEFINE YOUR STYLE -- Design I
• DESIGNING COMFORTABLE LAYERS THAT WORK
• DESIGNING WITH KNITS -- Knits II
• DRESS CHALLENGE
• EXPLORING DESIGN -- Design II
• EXPLORING FASHION DESIGN IN BURLINGTON, VT -- Design I
• FITTING: LEARNING THE BASICS
• FITTING YOUR BODICE AND SLEEVE
• GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH KNITS -- Knits I
• PANTS FITTING WORKSHOP
• PRACTICAL PATTERNMAKING
• SEWING RETREATS WITH SARAH VEBLEN

Detailed Class Descriptions

For each of the classes list below that have purple underlined titles, there is a description of daily activities and topics covered. Click the title to view the detailed description. If a class does not have a detailed description and you would like more information, please contact Sarah.

CREATING ENSEMBLES: A STUDY OF FABRICS AND COLORS -- Do you have fabric that you absolutely love, but don’t know what to make out of it? Or do you have fabric that you know generally what you want to make, but never seem to get started? Maybe you have an idea of what you’d like to make, but are stymied over what kind of fabric to get? All of these scenarios are common to people who enjoy sewing garments for themselves – and each situation usually indicates that there’s something missing from the overall concept of the garment or ensemble.

This two-day class will teach you how to build complete concepts to create garments and ensembles that are delightfully interesting, and sophisticated without being stuffy. Topics will include the value of a coordinating wardrobe (an updated approach to “mix and match”); choosing a set of core colors that are both interesting and work well for you; combining interesting fabrics and colors; understanding the concept of “bridge fabrics” and how to employ them; using different textures; and when to employ embellishments.

CREATING YOUR OWN PERFECT LITTLE "BLACK" DRESS -- How many times have you gotten an invitation and wished you had just the right dress already hanging in your closet? You know . . . a dress that fits well, is timelessly in fashion, suits you to a “T,” is the perfect neutral tone or color for you, can be dressed up or down, and oh-so-easy just to slip on and go. If you’ve found yourself wishing for such a dress, then this class is for you!

During the first weekend, I’ll help you design and fit a dress that’s classically suited for you, yet has a flair that reflects your personality. After two days of muslin making, fitting, and pattern work, on the third day, we’ll go to New York on a day trip to select fabric and/or notions and trims.

Several weeks later, we’ll meet again in my studio for three days of finalizing pattern work, cutting out, sewing, fitting, and hand stitching. Chances are good that you’ll leave with that perfect dress finished, on a hanger, and ready to wear. If you work slowly, perhaps you’ll have a bit more to do at home. And if you work quickly, I’ll encourage you to start another version of the same dress in a casual fabric – yet another boon to the wardrobe.

DAY OF FABRIC SHOPPING IN NEW YORK! -- We’ll concentrate on finding a variety of wonderful fabrics, along with all that New York’s garment district has to offer. Transportation to and from New York will be with Superior Tours Bus Company, which departs Baltimore at 6:30 a.m. and returns around 10:00 p.m. If your group would like Sarah to lead a fabric shopping trip to NYC, please contact her.

DEFINE YOUR STYLE: DESIGNING SOFTLY STRUCTURED GARMENTS FOR WOMEN (previously titled Design and Soft Tailoring for Women) -- What's the difference between an ensemble that is appealing and one that is stunning? Why do some women look overpowered and stiff in their clothes while others look comfortable and graceful? What is it that really happens to push clothing into that “absolutely exquisite” category?

This six-day class will give you an opportunity to explore and understand the many facets of design and soft tailoring for women. We will study the elements of design and their interrelationship, including visualization and the value of sketching, flat pattern manipulation, draping, fabrication, engineering, fitting, and construction techniques as they pertain to soft tailoring.

DESIGNING COMFORTABLE LAYERS THAT WORK -- How many times a year do you slip one garment on over another? Whether it’s a sweater, a shirt, a casual jacket, a tailored blazer, a windbreaker, a raincoat, a heavy winter coat, an evening stole, or just a shawl, these extra layers achieve the same goals: they keep us comfortable and often complete our ensemble. Sometimes a garment we usually wear by itself, like a handkerchief linen blouse, serves double-duty as a layering garment over a pretty camisole.

This four-day class will give you the opportunity to study layering garments from both the inside (engineering and construction), and the outside (style and design). We’ll also explore how your own personal life style and the climate where you live play a critical role in developing a layering wardrobe. And we’ll take an in-depth look at fabrication, from both a structural and an aesthetic point of view.

DESIGNING WITH KNITS -- There's no question that knit fabrics have a proven and secure place in fashion today. And sewers have increasing access to all kinds of interesting knits, which are being produced in an ever-expanding array of fiber contents. But what do you do with all of these fascinating knit fabrics? Matching the appropriate knit fabric with a garment type or specific design is key, and this will be explored in conjunction with the elements that make knit garments successful. We'll also delve into how to easily develop details that will make your knit garments look fabulous. Participants will compile a variety of sketches and design ideas as well as work on one or two muslins.

Please note that this is an intermediate class in knits. As a prerequisite, I strongly recommend moderate to extensive experience in working with knits, my hands-on class "Getting Comfortable with Knits," or my on-line Pattern Review class "Understanding Knits.

DRESS CHALLENGE -- Here is what the Dress Challenge is all about: Take a dress pattern, get it to fit, then use the pattern to its max, incorporating design and style line changes. Burda 7972 is suggested (a princess line sheath), but you’re welcome to use any dress pattern that you prefer. In each Dress Challenge session, you can work on fit, sewing, style line changes, sleeve modifications, interesting fabrication combinations, all sorts of design elements, and anywhere else your inspiration takes you. My role is to assist you and your creativity with my technical expertise.

EXPLORING DESIGN: LEVEL II -- This class is primarily offered for those who have already taken my introductory design class. Many of you have told me that as you incorporated some of the techniques you learned, that's when the design process began unfolding. But anyone who has some experience in developing designs on her/his own is welcome. This is a chance to further explore your creativity and take the design process to yet another level. With lectures and design exercises during a part of each morning, you’ll have ample time to combine fabrics, sketch ideas, work on patterns, have garment muslins fitted, and begin construction of your own wonderful designs – all in a challenging and stimulating environment.

EXPLORING FASHION DESIGN IN BURLINGTON, VT: LEVEL I -- This 5-day class with an optional day in NYC’s Garment District is equivalent to my regular Design I class with just a few slight changes. It will explore the elements of design in relation to fashion, clothing, and building a wardrobe. No prior sewing, design, or drawing knowledge is required – so it’s a great opportunity for people who do not have any sewing background to experiment with clothing styles as it relates to their own body. Easy-to-use half-scale patterns will be provided if you wish to test out design ideas.

FITTING: LEARNING THE BASICS -- For many sewers, the success of a garment hinges on the way it fits. And unfortunately, as our ready-to-wear clothing has become more generic in the way it fits, pattern companies have followed suit. Although it takes years of experience to become a master at fitting, learning the basic concepts and first rules of fitting is possible for anyone who’s willing to spend the time.

During this four-day class, you will learn these basic concepts and rules of fitting through a combination of activities. Each day will begin with a short lecture. Since the first step in learning to fit is being able to “see” and assess what needs to be fitted, you will be given exercises designed to train your eye. I will also give fitting demonstrations on class participants’ muslins. Because practice is the best way to learn to fit, students will spend time every day fitting each other under my guidance and supervision. You will be asked to bring 3 or 4 prepared muslins to class.

Both sewing hobbyists and professional custom clothiers will find this class valuable, and sewing hobbyists of all skill levels are welcome. Although it is commonly said that you can't fit yourself, this class will teach you that in fact there are some aspects of fit that you can accomplish on your own. If you have a dress form that's close to your body shape, you are welcome to bring it so you can do some of your practice exercises on it. Also, this class is ideal for those of you who have a sewing buddy -- learn to fit each other!

FITTING YOUR BODICE AND SLEEVE -- After my two articles in Threads Magazine "To Get the Armhole Right, Fit the Bodice" (March 2005, Number 117) and "How to Fit a Perfect Sleeve" (May 2005, Number 118), I've had a number of people ask if I would teach a class on this.

This is a 3-day class that will provide plenty of time for each participant to develop and fine-tune to perfection a bodice pattern and sleeve pattern. Once the pattern development has been completed, I'll explain how to make changes to these basic patterns to create different looks, and I'll work with you individually so that your garment has a flattering silhouette for your figure type. I do not intend for this to be a "sloper" class where you develop a pattern that you aren't quite sure what to do with next. Rather, you'll work on a pattern for either a jacket or a blouse (or both if you work quickly). Plus, I'll teach you how to change a jacket pattern to fit like a blouse, and a blouse pattern to fit like a jacket.

GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH KNITS -- A three-day program that takes an in-depth look at knits. Topics covered will include: learning to recognize different knit fabrics and knit structures; how to accurately assess the stretch and recovery factors of knits; how to select patterns when working with knit fabrics; how to gauge what size pattern to use; guidelines on choosing a knit fabric for a specific project; tips on sewing with knits; and neckline finishing techniques. Class participants will be fitted for both a non-stretch knit T-shirt and a stretch bodysuit (or close-fitting camisole) during class and will leave with fine-tuned patterns.

PANTS FITTING WORKSHOP -- If you've had trouble developing a pants pattern for yourself, this class is for you! You can bring your own mock-up(s) of pants you're interested in, and Sarah will do the fitting. Or you can try on mock-ups of three different pants styles that Sarah has already made up – then you and Sarah can decide which style is the best place to start for your figure. Fitting pants is a process, not a one-shot deal: often it’s best not to make too many alterations at once, in order to track what is working to obtain a better fit and what is not. So after Sarah has conducted a fitting on you, you will make the pattern changes and either make a new mock-up or change your existing mock-up, depending on the extent and type of alteration(s) necessary. Then Sarah will fit you again, starting to fine-tune the fit.

PRACTICAL PATTERNMAKING -- Are you frustrated with sewing because garment patterns don't seem to work for you? Do you wonder why the depiction of a garment on a pattern envelope often bears little resemblance to the way the sewn garment looks on you? Have you tried altering patterns but gotten mixed results?

During this three-day class, we will study and explore the basic principles of patternmaking using your mock-ups as our laboratory. In addition to fitting each class participant, I will teach you how to accurately change your pattern accordingly. You will develop good patternmaking skills as well as gain an understanding of how a pattern and fit are interrelated. Participants will have time to work on a number of different projects.

SEWING RETREATS WITH SARAH VEBLEN -- Sewing retreats give you time to concentrate on your sewing while having an abundance of guidance from Sarah, as well as the companionship of others who enjoy sewing. Sarah will be available throughout the day to work with you individually on whatever you need help with: having muslins or garments fit; assistance with pattern work; deciding what to make out of specific fabric; selecting appropriate patterns; fine-tuning a design; creating the right embellishment; figuring out what linings, underlinings, and interfacings to use; or solving any knotty sewing problem that arises – no matter how large or small.

Sarah holds a variety of sewing retreats throughout the year. Please contact Sarah if you would like her to run a sewing retreat for your group.