Take a sewing program.

I finished my first sewing class last month and got myself a super awesome pair of Ninja Turtle pajama pants out of the deal. I learned a lot of really useful information, so I’m glad I took the course. It also motivated me to start on the rest of my schooling, and gave me the drive to want to complete the entire sewing program.

Going to class in the evening was hard to get used to. It was only once a week so it wasn’t too bad, but it was still rough not getting home until late when I work full time. All in all my class was really enjoyable, and was filled with some interesting people. There was one lady that looked like Barbra Streisand, and another girl that looked freakishly like Lucy Lui. I wondered for a bit there if I was in some sort of celebrity sewing marathon or something.

The teacher was a little hard to learn from because she’d miss things from time to time, or treat the class like they knew more than they did, but I think I got enough out of it. I got my course completion paper back just last week and was thrilled to see that I got 95%. :D

I’ve since signed up for the next course, which is “Beginners Level 1” and it starts mid-January. I wish they were a little closer together, damn the semester system, but I suppose it gives me some time to relax.

In my last update about this I mentioned that I had signed up for the first sewing course in the program. I’ve had 3 classes since then, and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been learning a hell of a lot, and at first I thought my teacher was a little loopy, but she’s actually really helpful and knowledgeable.

Our project for the course is to make a pair of pants. I chose a cargo-style draw-string pattern and some super awesome Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fabric to make a pair of lounge/pajama pants out of. We’ve gotten as far as cutting out the patterns and playing around with the sewing machines (sturdy old Pfaff machines) thus far, and I’m really eager to start sewing my pants.

The class I’m taking is held at a secondary school, which is really weird. I haven’t stepped foot in a school before this since I graduated almost 10 years ago. Everyone else had the same feeling, so that was comforting at least. All in all, so far so good. I’m glad I took the plunge and proved to myself that yes, I can commit to something like this.

Not only did I sign up for my first hot yoga class yesterday, but I also signed up for my first sewing course. My “first pick” class was already full, so I had to go with another class that’s a little further out in Vancouver. It’s still fully accessible, it’ll just take a little longer to get to. The first course is simply Introduction to Sewing, which means I’ll finally learn how to change the thread on my sewing machine. Just that simple thought makes me incredibly happy.

Once I finish this course, which is 8 weeks long, I’ll be able to sign up and take the next course in the program, which is Beginners Level 1. I’m really stoked to think that this is leading towards the Sewing & Fashion Arts Diploma, even if it is just for the hell of it and I will never utilize it outside of a hobby.

My first class starts on September 21st, so I have a good few weeks to figure out what the hell “sewing notions” are, because I apparently have to bring them. One would assume that an introductory sewing course would explain what you would actually need. :/

To get it out in the open, I can’t sew worth a crap. I own a sewing machine, but I’ll be damned if I know how to properly use it. I have no idea how I manage to construct anything on it, but I can say for sure that I’ll be absolutely bloody screwed if the thread breaks.

Anyways, now that I’m back on the coast, I’m serious about taking a sewing course, or rather, a sewing program. I’m going to take the courses through the Vancouver School Board and work towards the Sewing & Fashion Arts Diploma quite literally just for fun. It’s not expensive or too overwhelming, so I think it will be an ideal way to learn everything that I want to learn for my own hobbies and have something to show for it.

The first course up will be the Introduction to Sewing. I plan on registering for it by the end of August to start it at the end of September. It’s only 2.5 hours long on 1 day a week for 8 weeks, so it’s nothing too intense. If all goes well, I want to be able to register for the next course not long after this one concludes.

I’m pretty much tired of only being able to hand sew, or sew with a glue gun, especially when I own a sewing machine. Granted, I can make some pretty cool stuff with a glue gun, I’d really like to make some more “professional” garments that I can wear daily (as well as costumes for my far more nerdy ventures). My first goal is to take an introductory sewing class with my friend Klara once I move back down to Vancouver.