Sew Better, Sew Faster: Advanced Industry Techniques

Class Preview

Breeze through your best sewing with more efficiency and less effort than ever. Prepare, cut, sew and finish professional-quality garments with advanced industry techniques.

Introduction & Cutting

Meet your instructor, Janet Pray, owner of Islander Sewing Systems. Begin learning the secrets of industrial sewing right away as Janet discusses how to efficiently cut material for projects, even in multiple layers, and preserve your patterns to use again and again. You also see how to effectively mark your fabric and bundle project materials together.

Getting Started Sewing

Revolutionize your sewing with a new understanding of seam allowances and how you can modify them to speed up your process. In particular, see how using a smaller allowance on enclosed and curved seams can make your project look more professional. Janet discusses how to set up your work space to improve your comfort, then shares the industry technique for sewing without pins. You’ll be amazed at how much time you save when you’re not constantly pinning and unpinning your garment pieces!

Fusible Interfacings

Fusible interfacing is the key to properly stabilizing your fabric. Janet demystifies the stabilizing process as she reviews her favorite pressing tools and interfacing methods. Learn when, where and why to use interfacing and see how you can test your interfacing for successful results.

About Zippers

If inserting slot and lapped zippers has you quaking in your boots, fear no more! Janet shares quick and super-easy techniques for getting those zippers installed with a minimum of fuss.

About Waistbands

Eliminate the frustration of attaching waistbands with Janet’s helpful tips. She’ll walk you through the traditional sport waistband and flat waistband, then show you how to apply skirt facings before installing the zipper for a perfectly smooth finish.

About Buttonholes

You can achieve perfect machine-sewn and bound buttonholes with just a little practice. Janet discusses optimal placement and shows how to get the right look on both men’s and women’s garments. Then she demonstrates how to thread-trace and sew a traditional bound buttonhole. If your garment has a facing, you’ll see how to make the accompanying opening.

Seam Finishes & Hems

Finish up your garment with two popular, enclosed seams — flat-felled and French — and learn how to create a quick and easy hem on straight and curved edges. No pins required!