I teach a variety of hands-on workshops that can be customized to the interests of your group. Please email me at jsterndesigns37@gmail.com to plan your J Stern Designs Event
Stretch Jeans Made Easy
I’ve packed all the things I’ve learn from teaching years of jeans and pants fitting classes into this new workshop. Using the Stretch Jeans Made Easy Pattern, we’ll take some quick measurements and try on sample stretch jeans muslins to pick your size and adjust the pieces. After the pattern pieces are adjusted, use them to sew your custom stretch jeans muslin. We will use the muslin to fine-tune the fit of the pattern pieces. Students leave class with a completed fit muslin and adjusted pattern pieces ready to sew with. This can be planned to be a 1 or 2 Day Workshop.
Here are a Couple Happy Pants Student Photos
Happy Pants – Non-Stretch Pants Fitting
If you want to make a great fitting pair of fitted pants, join me for the Happy Pants Workshop. Instead of working with one pants pattern, we’ll choose the pattern that most closely agrees with your figure. I’ll show you how to evaluate your shape, pick a pattern and how to adjust the pieces for a custom fit. Learn simple fit adjustments and how each adjustment affects other parts of the pattern. You’ll leave class with a pattern that’s ready make a custom muslin and the know how to fine-tune the fit (if necessary). This can be planned as a 1 or 2 Day Workshop.
Easy Fit and Sew Skort – The Skirt with Super Powers
This skort is my go-to garment in the summer. The 6-gore skirt is slenderizing and easy to fit. The shorts hidden underneath provide cool comfort. You can make it in a variety of lengths and fabrics. Choose Performance Sports Knit and make a shorter version to wear to the gym or on the court. Lengthen to the knee for a skort that you’ll want to wear all day, and then go out to dinner in. You can also dress it up in silk to create an evening look that is elegant and ultra comfortable to wear. This workshop can be planned for a 1 day event or it can be added to the Easy Fit and Sew Weekend.
Easy Fit and Sew Knits – Comfortable Clothes in a Weekend Workshops:
If you want to spend the weekend making comfortable easy to wear clothes, this is the workshop for you. Participants try on sample knit garments to quickly figure out what size is best. Then I’ll demonstrate how to adjust the pattern pieces for a perfect fit. Learn how to figure out how much stretch your fabric really has. I explain how stretch can affect the fit of your garments. After cutting out the pieces it’s time to sew. I’ll show you how to get professional results whether you’re constructing your knit garments on your serger or your sewing machine. Discover notions that make finishing your necklines and hems a snap. Participants leave class with finished garments. The Easy Fit and Sew Pattern Collection includes: Yoga Pants, Tee, Cardi, Raglan Sleeve Top and Tank Top 2 Ways. This workshop can planned for 1 or 2 days.
Pattern Grading for the Home Sewer Workshops:
Join me to learn an easy method for sizing a clothing pattern to fit you. We’ll start the class with a discussion about pattern sizing and grading as it relates to fitting a pattern. Then we’ll work together step-by-step to grade a basic pattern up a size and down a size. We’ll discuss how you can use this easy method to size and fit patterns to your unique shape. You’ll leave class with step-by-step instructions and a set of grading rules to use to grade your patterns at home along with samples of graded patterns that you worked on in class. This is a 1/2 Day Workshop.
How to Adjust a Non-Stretch Pattern for Stretch Fabric Workshops:
If you have a pattern in your stash that you want to make out of knit, but it was designed for non-stretch fabric, this is the class for you. I’ve made a set of samples to show you how a top and pant pattern fits in non-stretch fabric. Then I used adjusted pattern pieces to make them out of knit or stretch fabric. The key to adjusting the pattern correctly is to determine how much wearable stretch your fabric has. Just because a fabric can stretch 30% doesn’t mean you want it to. I’ll show you the difference between maximum stretch and wearable stretch. Then learn how to adjust your pattern pieces for a perfect fit. Discover what kinds of non-stretch patterns are easier to adjust for stretch fabric. I’ll also talk about how to use your adjusted pattern pieces to create new styles. This is a 1/2 Day Workshop.
The Tee Fit Workshops:
Students have the opportunity to try on knit muslins of The Tee. Starting with the best size, learn how to adjust the Tee for fit and style. The morning will be spend adjusting the pattern for a perfect fit. Learn how to adjust the pattern for a relaxed fit. The class will be spent working with the serger to construct the tee. Learn how to adjust the serger to sew knit fabrics. Tackle curved seams like a pro and use stay tape in the shoulder seams to keep them from stretching out of shape. Techniques to finish the edges will be discussed at the end. Students will leave with a fully constructed Tee. This is a 1 Day workshop.
Tee Neckline Design Workshops:
If love the Tee Pattern… You’ll love this class too. I’ll show you how to work with your fitted Tee Pattern Pieces to create seven different necklines. If you’ve never drafted a pattern before, this is an easy and fun class to get you started. We’ll start with a simple V-Neckline that only involves the center front pattern piece. Then get adventurous and try adjusting the side front and back pieces to create a dressy criss cross neckline. You can add these new necklines to a Tee with or without sleeves. Create many different looks from this single pattern. Leave class with a variety of neckline pattern pieces that are ready to sew up into your new favorite tops. This is a 1 Day Workshop.
The Jean Fit Workshops:
If you want to make a great fitting pair of jeans, join me for the Jean Fit Workshop. I’ll show you how to turn this snug fitting muslin into a comfortable pair of jeans. Students have the opportunity to try on jean muslins to start with the right size. We will use the fit muslin to determine which adjustments are necessary to achieve the perfect fit. Adjustments are recorded on a Jean Fit Worksheet. Then students will learn how to make the necessary adjustment to their pattern and cut out a customized muslin. Students leave class with a completed fit muslin and adjusted pattern pieces ready to sew with. This can be planned to be a 1 or 2 Day Workshop.
The Ponte Knit Jean Fit Workshops:
If you want to make a great fitting pair of knit jeans, join me for the Ponte Knit Jean Fit Workshop. Students have the opportunity to try on ponte knit jean muslins to start with the right size. We will use the fit muslin to determine which adjustments are necessary to achieve the perfect fit. Adjustments are recorded on a Jean Fit Worksheet. Then students will learn how to make the necessary adjustment to their pattern and cut out a customized muslin. Students leave class with a completed fit muslin and adjusted pattern pieces ready to sew with. This can be planned to be a 1 or 2 Day Workshop.
The Perfectly Fitted Shirt Workshops:
Students have the opportunity to try on cup-sized torso muslins to start with the right size. We will use the fit muslin to determine which adjustments are necessary to achieve the perfect fit. Adjustments are recorded on a Torso Sloper Fit Worksheet. Then students will learn how to make the necessary adjustment to their pattern and cut out a customized muslin. Students leave class with a completed fit muslin and adjusted pattern pieces ready to sew. This can be planned to be a 1 or 2 Day Workshop.
How to Sew Knits with Your Sewing Machine Workshops:
Here’s the good new…If you don’t own a serger, you can still sew knits. Join me for a hands on workshop that will help you get professional results when you’re using your sewing machine to construct and finish knit garments. We’ll work with a variety of knit fabrics and seaming techniques as well as easy finishes for necklines and hems. You’ll leave class armed with a binder full of samples complete with step-by-step instructions that you can use when you’re at home sewing with knits. This is a 1/2 Day Workshop.
The Skirt Design Workshops:
Let’s make a great fitting straight skirt pattern that you can use to sew your new favorite skirt. I’ll also show you how to use it to create a variety of styles. We’ll start by breaking up into pairs to take a set of body measurements. Then we’ll use those measurements to draft a basic straight skirt pattern. If you’ve never tried your hand at drafting a pattern, this is the perfect project to start with! I’ll show you a variety of waistline treatments and how to draft them using your front and back skirt pattern pieces. If straight skirts are not your thing, no worries, I’ll show you how to add fullness at the hem to create an A-line or flared silhouette. Plus, enjoy a trunk show of a variety of skirts that I designed using my custom straight skirt! You’ll be amazed at the different designs you can create using your new custom fit straight skirt pattern. This is a 1 Day Workshop.
