Dear Fellow Sewer,

My classes have been developed to offer both home sewers and sewing professionals the opportunity to take a comprehensive and in-depth look into particular aspects of sewing and design. Each session has been carefully planned to provide you with hands-on experience, lectures and demonstrations, and lots of individual attention. You will undoubtedly also learn from your fellow classmates and their projects, and you will certainly enjoy – and benefit from – being with others who share your passion.

I currently teach most of my local classes in my home/studio, although I occasionally hold classes at the Comfort Inn in nearby Hunt Valley. If you are not familiar with the Baltimore metropolitan area, my community of Sparks is located about a half-hour drive north of downtown Baltimore and about a half-hour south of York, Pennsylvania. My home/studio is generally open to participating students from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. I provide each student with a work station of a table and chair. A suggested supply list will be sent to you about four to six weeks before the class begins, but feel free to ask if you have questions. Also, I do have two small short-haired cats, and I provide a continental breakfast each morning, so if you have concerns regarding animal or food allergies, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I also offer classes online in conjunction with Pattern Review. I have had many people say that they would love to take one of my classes, but they can't take the time off work, be away from their family, or travel easily to Maryland. Online classes allow you to study with me from the comfort of your own home. These classes consist of daily lessons, a message board where you can always ask me questions, and live chat sessions where you can benefit from class discussion and my input.

Detailed class descriptions, information on accommodations, and the class registration form are available from me and on my website. Please visit the newsletter page for information on how to add your name to my mailing list. Also, photos of general class activities and photos from past classes are available on the website. And please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me regarding any questions you may have about my classes.

I hope you’ll join me for a class so that you can integrate new information and experiences with the skills you’ve already mastered – it’s a wonderful way to spark your creativity.

October 8-13, 2010

DEFINE YOUR STYLE: DESIGNING SOFTLY STRUCTURED GARMENTS FOR WOMEN (DESIGN I) -- 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. This class will be held at my home/studio, and enrollment is limited.

For a more detailed description of this class, visit the Define Your Style page (click this link or navigate from the Classes page). (Class fee: $735.00)

July 24-28, 2010

EXPLORING FASHION DESIGN (DESIGN I) -- in Burlington, VT

August 2, 2010

DAY IN NYC'S GARMENT DISTRICT (Optional)

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.

For a more detailed description of this class, visit the Exploring Fashion Design in Burlington, VT page (click this link or navigate from the Classes page). (Class fee: $725.00; optional day in NYC’s Garment District: $175.00) Please note: Final payment due by June 1, 2010.

Click here to open/download a PDF copy of the class flier. Please feel free to share with your sewing group or friends.

June 26-27, 2010

DRESS CHALLENGE/OPEN SEWING

I am periodically offering opportunities for you to work on the Dress Challenge, and you may participate as frequently or intermittently as you wish. For this session, you are welcome to work on the Dress Challenge or any other project that you wish.

For more information on what the Dress Challenge is all about, visit the Classes page (click this link or navigate to the Classes page from the Teaching menu). This class will be held in my studio. (Class fee: $295.00 for two days; $175.00 for one day.)

May 21-23, 2010

SEWING RETREAT -- in Springfield, VA

Concentrate on your sewing in a comfortable and stimulating environment with others who have a passion for sewing! Work on whatever you wish, and I’ll be there to help you with any question that arises, from fitting, to design, to sewing techniques.

For a more detailed description, visit the Sewing Retreats with Sarah Veblen page (click this link or navigate from the Classes page). (Class fee: $395.00 for three days; $320.00 for two days)

Retreat is Full! Registration has been closed.

April 16-18, 2010

DESIGNING WITH KNITS -- KNITS II

This 3-day class is an opportunity to further explore knit fabrics: how to design with them, how to develop details that will make your knit garments look distinctive, and how to assess and best use knit fabrics that you are not familiar with.

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 Knit Fabrics.”

For a more detailed description of this class, visit the Designing With Knits page (click this link or navigate from the Classes page). This class will be held in my studio. (Class fee: $425.00)

March 21-26, 2010

EXPLORING DESIGN -- LEVEL II

This class is offered for those who have already taken my introductory design class (Define Your Style – Design I). Many of you have told me that as you incorporated some of the techniques you learned in Design I, that's when the design process really began to unfold. This 6-day class is a chance to further explore your creativity and take the design process to yet another level. With lectures and design exercises during 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. And we’ll go to the Garment District in New York for a day! This class will be held in my studio.

For a more detailed description of this class, visit the Exploring Design page (click this link or navigate from the Classes page). (Class fee: $795.00, includes bus fare to NYC)

February 20-21, 2010

SEWING RETREAT/FOCUS ON COLLARS

Come sew for the weekend and work on whatever you want. I’ll be here to assist you in any way you need me: help with fitting, pattern work, how to best utilize fabrics, design, and sewing skills. Each morning, I will give a short lecture on collars and give you some exercises to help you understand how to think about and draft collar patterns. It’s up to you whether you want to sit in on the lecture or not. This class will be held in my studio. (Class fee: $295.00 for two days; $175.00 for one day.)

January 9-10, 2010 (Bad Weather Date: January 16-17)

DRESS CHALLENGE/OPEN SEWING

I am periodically offering opportunities for you to work on the Dress Challenge, and you may participate as frequently or intermittently as you wish. For this session, you are welcome to work on the Dress Challenge or any other project that you wish.

For more information on what the Dress Challenge is all about, visit the Classes page (click this link or navigate to the Classes page from the Teaching menu). This class will be held in my studio. (Class fee: $295.00 for two days; $175.00 for one day.)