JUNE 2025 SEWING BONANZA! 4 Ways to sew with us this month!

1. Absolute Beginner Sewing Machine Lessons

Sat. June 14, Sat. June 21, Sun. June 22 | 12-4pm each session
$250-450 sliding scale

Calling absolute beginners who are sewing machine curious! You’ll learn how to sew basic stitches, follow a sewing pattern, and walk away with a custom pair of pants that YOU sewed!

Sewing skills you’ll learn

  •  How to thread, operate and troubleshoot a sewing machine

  •  How to sew a running stitch, backstitch, and zigzag stick

  •  How to follow a sewing pattern

  •  How to sew a pair of pants from beginning to end that fits YOU!

    BYOsewing machine is optional, we’ll also have some on site. Tuition is on a sliding scale from $250-450, includes 3 sessions, and ALL materials and supplies. We’ll have a selection of upcycled fabric for you to choose from for your pants, or you’re welcome to bring your own fabric (think light cotton, linen, or jersey). This class comes as a package deal so that instruction can build week to week, meaning there are no single class options.

    Please read the “Other Important Info” section below before registering!

2.Beginner/Intermediate Sewing Skills

Mon. 6/16, Tues. 6/17, Thurs. 6/19  | 5:30-7pm Sewing Office Hours, 7-9:15pm Sewing Lesson
$250-450 sliding scale

Ready to level up your sewing skills? Join our Beginner/Intermediate Sewing Skills class at SMUSH this fall! You’ll learn about pattern making and altering, and how to work with tricky fabrics.

Sewing skills you’ll learn

  • Create patterns from clothes you own, love, and want to replicate!

  • Alter commercial patterns so they fit your dimensions

  • Work with tricky fabrics (knits, denim, stretch, silk, and more) and learn a bunch of tip for tools and strategies for fickle fibers

BONUS: NEW Feature- each night begins with Sewing Office Hours. Come anytime 5:30-7pm with any questions or project you’re working on and Meagan is there to help as your on-hand sewing tutor! 

BYOsewing machine is optional, we’ll also have some on site. Tuition is on a sliding scale from $250-450 and includes 3 sessions and ALL materials and supplies. This course comes as a package deal so that instruction can build week to week, meaning there are no single class options. The class size is small to allow for personalized instruction. PREREQUISITE: students should be comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine and be able to sew a running stitch.

Please read the “Other Important Info” section below before registering!

3.Hemming & Taking In One-Day Workshop

Wed. June 18 | 6-6:30pm Sewing Machine Crash Course, 6:30-9:30pm Workshop 
$90-175 sliding scale

Get ready for clothes that fit you perfectly! Learn how to hem and take in pants, skirts, dresses, and tops, and leave with your clothes altered... by YOU! If you feel comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine, you can join at 6:30pm; if you could use a refresher or a crash course, come at 6pm! 

BYOsewing machine is optional, we’ll also have some on site. Tuition is on a sliding scale from $90-175 and includes ALL sewing supplies- you just provide the garments you want to alter! The class size is small to allow for personalized instruction.

Please read the “Other Important Info” section below before registering!

4. ALL Levels Sewing Office Hour Drop-In

Mon. June 16, Tues. June 17, Thurs. June 19 | 5:30-7pm 

$10-25 sliding scale per drop-in day

Working on a project that you could use a hand with? Wish you could ask someone in-person for sewing advice? Now you can! Swing by for any of these office hours to hang out with kind, creative people and ask Meagan for sewing advice! No RSVP or registration in any other course required for dropping-in, just come on by!

About the Instructor

Meagan Woods @meaganawoods is a costume designer and multimedia artist with two decades experience sewing. Her work has been shown at NJPAC, Bryant Park, Lincoln Center and venues across the US, Canada, Portugal, France, Taiwan, and The Philippines. She loves teaching and sharing her passion for the arts, and is looking forward to de-mystifying the sewing machine through these classes!

Want to get the first crack at sign ups? Email hello@smushgallery.com and request to join the sewing mailing list!

~ Other Important Info ~

Attendance/Refund Policy

  • In the unlikely event that the class doesn't run, we will offer a refund (less fees).

  • If the class runs, we are not able to offer refunds, make ups, or payment credits for missed classes.

  • If you have a paid and confirmed spot and are no longer able to attend the session, you will have an opportunity to transfer your registration to a friend. (Whole class transfers only, no transferring single sessions.)

How to Register

*New! To register for sewing classes and workshops, email Meagan directly at meaganawoods@gmail.com. Payment will be accepted through Venmo, Zelle, or check.

Guidance on Using the Sliding Scale
Low End - For those who may stress about meeting basic needs and have limited expendable income. This rate is offered in solidarity with low income/low asset artists and is bridged by the High End rate.    

Mid Range - For those who are regularly able to meet their basic needs and have some expendable income. 

High End - For those who are comfortably meeting their basic needs on a regular basis and who enjoy a substantial expendable income. This cost bridges the Low End rate.

Please be mindful that selecting a rate at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher end limits access for those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility. These rates are adapted from AORTA and Essence of Embodiment Festival’s sliding scale pages; Essence of Embodiment adapted from The Green Bottle Sliding Scale by Califia Collective.

Accommodations

If you need any accommodations, such as wheelchair accessibility, please let us know. The earlier we know about your needs, the more likely we can accommodate them. Thank you! See our ADA plan here.

SEWING @ SMUSH

Winter 2025 Offerings!

Make a Jumpsuit! Beginner/Intermediate+ [If you’re interested in seeing this class run again, email us!]

Monday Session, 6:30-9:30p | Jan 20 & 27, Feb 3 & 10
$275-475 sliding scale

WOW, you’re going to make a jumpsuit - that’s a whole outfit in one piece! This class is for those with intermediate skills, either learned in SMUSH’s adv. beginner/intermediate sewing class or elsewhere. Before registering, make sure you ALREADY know how to sew: a straight stitch, backstitch, and zigzag stitch; a regular zipper.

  • BYOsewing machine is optional

  • All materials and supplies are included, including an assortment of upcycled fabrics to choose from. (If you’d like to bring your own fabric, email Meagan at meaganawoods@gmail.com ahead of time to confirm that it’s suitable (think woven fabrics like cotton, linen, canvas). 

  • 4 session workshop builds week to week - no single class options

  • Small class size, personalized instruction