Sewing Lessons at SMUSH!
Fall 2025 Courses & Workshops [Scroll Down to Register]
Absolute Beginner: Oversized T-Shirt
Sept. 22 | 5:30-9:15p
Sept. 23 & 25 | 7-9:15p
*includes Sewing Office Hours 5:30-7p!
$250-450 sliding scale
Calling all those who are sewing machine curious! We’ve got ABSOLUTE BEGINNER sewing machine lessons returning to SMUSH this fall! You’ll learn how to sew basic stitches, follow a sewing pattern, and walk away with a custom oversized T-shirt 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
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. We’ll have a selection of upcycled fabric for you to choose from for your t-shirt, or you’re welcome to bring your own fabric (think stretch/jersey material). This class 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.
Please read the “Other Important Info” section below before registering!
Advanced Beginner: Patchwork Fall Coat
Sept. 28 | 12-4p
Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 2 | 7-9:15p
*includes Sewing Office Hours 5:30-7p!
$275-475 sliding scale
Want to design a patchwork fall coat with a one-of-a-kind look? This class is for you! We’ve got all the shades of denim you’ll need plus bonus fabric for pops of color and print. We’ll start by assembling various fabrics to create a custom design, and then stitch a zipper front jacket with all the pockets, bells, and whistles you’d like to include…be ready to turn heads this fall with your custom-made coat!
Sewing skills you’ll learn
Create your own textile design from upcycled materials- green and stylish!
Sew a zipper, pockets, and facings for cuffable sleeves
Work with denim to create an elegant, durable garment
Tailor a coat pattern to find a fit and silhouette that suits YOU!
PREREQUISITE: students should be comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine and able to sew a running stitch, backstitch, and zigzag.
BYOsewing machine is optional, we’ll also have some on site. Tuition is on a sliding scale from $275-475 and includes 4 sessions and ALL materials and supplies. This workshop 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.
Please read the “Other Important Info” section below before registering!
Intermediate: Worker’s Trousers
Oct. 13 | 5:30-9:15p
Oct. 14, 16 & 17 | 7-9:15p
*includes Sewing Office Hours 5:30-7p!
$275-475 sliding scale
Wouldn’t it be cool to own a pair of great fitting pants? And wouldn’t it be cooler to make those great fitting pants?! You will love these work trousers- zipper front, pockets all around, loose enough in the thighs, plus a leg width that’s adjustable to be tapered, straight, or wide. Your favorite pair of pants are about to be the ones you sewed this fall :)
PREREQUISITE: students should be comfortable with basic stitches and sewing pockets and zippers. (Our Patchwork Fall Coat class will teach you these skills.)
BYOsewing machine is optional, we’ll also have some on site. Tuition is on a sliding scale from $275-475 and includes 4 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 woven fabrics like light/medium weight denim, corduroy, chino, canvas, cotton twill). The class size is small to allow for personalized instruction.
Please read the “Other Important Info” section below before registering!
Alteration Workshop: Expansion Edition!
Oct. 12 | 12:30-4pm
*includes optional Sewing Machine Crash Course 12-12:30p!
$90-175 sliding scale
Get ready for clothes that fit you perfectly! In this Open Level workshop (read: all are welcome!), you’ll learn how to insert panels to side seams to expand waists on pants and skirts, how to add gussets to skinny jeans that you’d like to widen, and how to add fabric to hems to lengthen sleeves and legs. If you’re looking to shorten or shrink garments, you’ll be able to take in clothes during this workshop, too! If you feel comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine, you can join at 12:30pm; if you could use a refresher or a crash course, arrive promptly at 12pm!
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! We’ll have denim and various fabrics on hand. If there are particular fabrics you’d like to use to expand your clothes, bring ‘em! The class size is small to allow for personalized instruction.
Please read the “Other Important Info” section below before registering!
Drop In Office Hours
Sept. 23, 25, 29, 30 | 5:30-7p
Oct. 2, 14, 16, 17 | 5:30-7p
*ends promptly at 7p to accommodate the classes that follow!
$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!
~ 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
Register for classes by completing your payment at the links below. You can expect a confirmation email within a few days, too!
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.
REGISTER HERE!
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!
Past Courses & Workshops
Spring 2025 (Sewing Bonanza!)
Absolute Beginner - Make Your Own Pants
Beginner/Intermediate Sewing Skills - Creating Patterns, Adjusting Patterns, & Working with Tricky Fabrics
Hemming & Taking In Workshop, Open Level
Drop In Office Hours
Winter 2025
Make a Jumpsuit! [Beginner/Intermediate+]
Fall 2024
Absolute Beginner - Make Your Own Oversized T-Shirt
Beginner/Intermediate Sewing Skills - Zippers, Buttons, Pockets, Reading Patterns, & Finishing Seams
Absolute Beginner Hemming & Taking In Workshop
Advanced Beginner Hemming & Taking In Workshop
Spring 2024
Absolute Beginner - Make Your Own Pants
Sad you missed one of these?! Let us know! Email us at hello@smushgallery.com with what you’d like to see coming up!