Garment Alteration with Van Tran

This workshop will teach you how to tailor the waistband of a pair of bottoms for a desired fit. Think of high-waisted pants you want to drop down for a looser fit, or a midrise skirt you want lowered on the hips, or pants that just fit a smidge too tightly. This session will focus solely on adjusting the backside: opening up the back of the waistband, spreading open ease into the back seam, and sewing shut clean with a patch. You will learn how to utilize a few hand stitch techniques such as back stitch, whip stitch, and ladder stitch to cleanly finish your work. Some knowledge of sewing is helpful but not required.

CLASS FEE: $38

MATERIALS:
• A pair of bottoms no more than 1 size smaller than your standard size, no more than 2" too small (feel free to bring multiple options to choose from)
• Students should wear fitted bottoms such as bike shorts or leggings
• Fabric for the patch (about 9" x 9, in a weight to will match your bottom fabric; scrap fabric or taking from a secondhand garment will do)
• Household sewing needles and sewing threads, pins, seam ripper, scissors, ruler, fabric marking pen or pencil
• Optional: Note-taking materials and other desired sewing notions, such as thread snips, thimble, tape measure, etc.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Van's greatest passions in fashion and garment making lie in sustainable practices such as mending, alterations, upcycling, and natural dyeing.