SEWING MACHINE ORIENTATION | MAR 27
NEXT CLASS Thursday, March 27
6.00p to 8.00p
$50/person
This Sewing Machine Orientation prepares you to safely operate our industrial sewing machine for basic textile projects.
If you’d like to explore textiles for product development, wearable tech, or even soft robotics knowing how to operate an industrial sewing machine opens up a host of new opportunities. Whether you’re prototyping a backpack or making custom alterations this class will get you off on the right foot.
Our 2-hour Safety and Basic Use Orientation for Industrial Sewing Machines will cover key aspects of sewing and tailoring for beginners with a focus on essential machine operation and safety. This class will enable learners to select appropriate fabric, prepare fabric for sewing, and make basic stitches. Upon completion learners will be prepared to book and operate our industrial sewing machine independently. You will gain the knowledge and skill to complete a small bag for the hands-on portion of the class. You will leave with a solid understanding of how to move your sewing projects forward.
This class focuses on basics so you are comfortable digging deeper. If you want to continue pursuing textile projects, ask about our upcoming advance classes.
Note there are no other prerequisites for this orientation. To register, click on the next available date (highlighted in green below) and check out through the shopping cart.
INSTRUCTOR // Lizzy Sizer
Lizzy Sizer is a passionate and experienced tailor with over a decade of experience in tailoring and alterations, and more than twenty years working in creative spaces such as cosplay, custom wedding dress alteration, and geek attire. She started sewing at the age of four with her mother and moved into her professional career with a fashion design degree. Lizzy has helped others learn the craft of sewing as a tutor at her college, a children’s sewing instructor, and through mentoring fellow cosplayers and creators. She believes that everyone can learn to sew, and she loves helping people develop their skills and creativity.
OVERVIEW
Sewing is older than civilization. Our ability to join materials with thread can be traced back to Paleolithic hunters who employed bone needles and animal tendons to assemble animal hides for clothing and shelter.
Sewing’s impact on human development is deep and multifaceted.
Sewing enabled the creation of protective garments, providing warmth and protection from the elements, greatly contributing to human survival and adaptability. The ability to transform raw materials into tailored clothing also fostered a sense of identity and cultural expression, as different societies developed unique styles reflecting their beliefs and traditions. Beyond clothing, sewing has been instrumental in crafting tents, sails, and other structures, enabling humans to explore and adapt to diverse environments.
As societies evolved, sewing techniques advanced, leading to the development of more sophisticated tools and materials. The invention of practical sewing machines in the 1830s transformed the world and gave birth to a whole new industry. During the Industrial Revolution these high-tech companies were regarded much as we might view the space industry today. Ongoing innovations transformed the world as mass-produced clothing became accessible and affordable, significantly improving quality of life.
Sewing’s historical significance extends well beyond its practical applications. The simple act of joining materials with thread carries a profound impact. It has served as a powerful tool for social empowerment providing economic opportunity, fostering creativity and self-expression, and facilitating community bonding and knowledge sharing. Today, sewing remains a vital skill, both for practical and creative purposes. It continues to be essential for clothing production, repair, and customization, and it has evolved into a form of artistic expression.
Sewing’s enduring significance lies in its ability to connect us to our past, empower individuals, and inspire creativity, ensuring its continued relevance in the ever-changing world.
If you are interested in sewing and textiles and want to explore the possibilities tailoring opens this Sewing Machine Orientation is a perfect place to start. This crash course provides an engaging and fast paced introduction to fabric and stitch options. In this 2-hour hands-on class we will help you leverage simple sewing techniques into a powerful and practical skill you can use right away to expand your creativity. Before long sewing will become an indispensable tool in your prototyping toolkit.
ACCESS
After this introduction you’ll be prepared to safely and independently use our industrial sewing machine. This class, or a checkout, is a prerequisite for any upcoming advanced sewing trainings.
If this is your first class at The Facility please arrive 15 minutes early for a short safety briefing and some paperwork.
Orientations start promptly at 6:00pm.
This Orientation prepares you to safely perform basic operations on supported equipment. It is not intended to cover design concepts or comprehensive operation of this equipment. If you are interested in learning more about design or advanced equipment operation look for additional upcoming classes.
Safety and Basic Use (SBU) Orientations at The Facility are open to anyone over 18 years old. Please feel free to pass this invitation on to others. Minimum enrollment of 5 people is required to hold the orientation.
