Frequently Asked Questions

What are your rates?
What is a Sewing Soirée?
What do I need for the lesson?
What do the terms “Learn to Sew”, “Advanced Beginner”, and “Intermediate” mean?
Do you teach children?
Will you do alterations for me?
What is your refund policy?
What kind of machine should I buy?
Where can I buy a good machine?
Where do you shop?

Q: What are your rates?
A: $40/hour for 1 person
Contact me for rates for additional people in your lesson.

Pay for two lessons (4 or more hours) and receive a 15% discount!

A deposit of half the lesson cost is required to hold your lesson time. You may pay by cash or check. The remaining fee is payable by cash or check at the lesson.

Q: What is a Sewing Soirée?
A: Do you have a group of friends who love to sew? Or who want to learn? Do you have a family room or large dining room where you and your friends all fit? If so, I’ll come to your Girls Night and teach you the project of your choice!
Make it a pajama party and I’ll teach you to sew PJ pants or a sleep-tee in about three hours! Make it a tea party and everyone can make place settings and a table runner! It’s never too early to get ready for the holidays and you could get started on fabric gift bags or new decorations (Table Runners! Stockings! A Tree Skirt!) Contact me for pricing and details.

Q: What do I need for the lesson?
A: If the lesson is at your house, you should have the following:

A cutting table big enough to cut out your project
A table for your sewing machine (The cutting table can work if it is large enough and has an electrical outlet nearby.)
Good lighting
An iron and ironing board, set up near your machine
Your sewing machine and accessories (appropriate presser feet, needles, oil, etc.)
Fabric, thread to match, and your pattern
Your Sewing Ditty Bag:
Fabric Scissors/Shears
Rotary Cutter with clear ruler and self-healing mat (optional)
Pins with heads
Seam Ripper
60” measuring tape
Small ruler or 6” hem gauge

If the lesson is at my house, you only need to bring your machine, your Ditty Bag (see above), and the fabric, thread, and pattern for your project. I supply the cutting table, sewing machine table, iron, and ironing board.

Q: What do the terms “Learn to Sew”, “Advanced Beginner”, and “Intermediate” mean?
A: Learn to Sew: The absolute beginner, one who has never even turned on the machine. The lessons cover threading the machine, winding a bobbin, sewing straight seams, fabric layout, and following a pattern.
Advanced Beginner: The seamster who is comfortable using a sewing machine, including threading the machine and winding a bobbin from memory (most of the time).
Intermediate: The seamster who has recently finished at least one project. These lessons are geared to teaching students new skills such as zipper applications, buttonholes, and rudimentary alterations of a pattern (such as modifying a pattern within a size or two.)

Q: Do you teach children?
A: Yes, ages 9 and up. It is best for the lesson to happen at the child’s home, so an adult can be close by.

Q: Will you do alterations for me?
A: No, but I am happy to teach you to do it. That being said, if you have a project that is clearly beyond the scope of your skills (a wedding dress, suit, or elaborate costume), there are designers and tailors in the Portland area who may be able to help you. Tell me what your idea is, and I may be able to refer you to someone.

Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Refunds are only given in special cases. If you are unable to make the lesson and contact me at least three days in advance, we can reschedule your lesson to another time. If you miss a class without notifying me, you forfeit your payment.

Q: What kind of sewing machine should I buy?
A: A seamster is only as good as the tools she uses, so consider your expectations of the machine as well as your budget. Think about what features you want and whether or not you will use any extras.

Some good features to consider are:
- Adjustable speed control (So you can start out slowly and increase the speed as you grow into the machine.)
- Adjustable needle position to the left and the right (So you can sew close to the edge of the fabric more easily.)
- Buttonhole stitch (you only need one or two, not 12.)
- Stretch stitches for sewing on knits

Use your online resources! Search for reviews of different brands and makes. Decide which features are the most important to you, and then try sewing on a few different machines. You may have a preference for the feel of one machine or another, and you can only know that by “test-driving”!

For a new machine, expect to pay $350-500 for a good, basic machine. Save money by shopping sales or buying a used machine. The really inexpensive machines (under $200) aren’t worth buying because they are poorly made.

Q: Where can I buy a good sewing machine?
A: If you know exactly what you want in a machine, and are well versed in older machines, it is worth scouring the want ads, Craigslist, and EBay to find a used machine. For most people though, the best bet is to shop at a sewing machine dealership. They accept used machines on trade that are quite affordable, they can teach you how to use the machine, and they are always available if you have questions. Retail stores that don’t specialize in sewing machines (such as Target), won’t be able to help you after you purchase the machine.

Q: Where do you shop?
A: Some of my favorite fabric stores include:

Bolt (www.boltfabricboutique.com)
Fibers In Motion (www.fibersinmotion.com)
Fabric Depot (www.fabricdepot.com)
Stitchin’ Post (www.stitchinpost.com/)