Weekend Fashion Workshop helps middle and high schoolers focus on building specific skills in fashion design and construction. The theme for this month is Cozy Classics–Learn to Sew Knit and Stretch Fabrics.

Students can choose to make a comfy pajama pant or top with knit/stretchy fabric just in time for the holiday season! Learning to sew with knitwear is a second-tier sewing skill that you can use for sweaters, t-shirts, tank tops, athletic wear, maxi skirts, and more. All materials are provided for this workshop, funded in part by the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage Initiative.

Students will learn basic sewing machine skills and serger machine skills, including settings for stretch fabrics, learn tips for preparing and sewing knit and stretch fabrics, and learn how to read a pattern and choose the correct size pattern.

All materials are provided for this workshop, funded in part by the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage Initiative.

Teacher - Mel Williams:

I’m a teaching artist in fashion, fiber arts, print media, painting and drawing, and sustainability arts practice. As an educator, I focus on creative daily living practices for beginners and intermediate learners. Students in my classes use critical thinking about how objects and ideas are formed and are encouraged to create and discuss in the studio as a collective of artists and designers. I have been a teacher, youth worker, and arts educator working across diverse communities for over 20 years and hold a Masters of Art in Art Education from School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My classroom is inclusive, inquisitive, and focuses on developing a healthy and safe classroom culture where students’ voices are heard with respect and curiosity.