SEAMS SO EASY – SEWING CLASSES IN CALGARY
Passionate creators who revel in the tradition of design are invited to share in the joy of Sandy Stewart’s sewing classes. Sandy offers individualized instruction for students with all levels of experience. She empowers you to express your creativity at her fully-equipped and bespoke studio in northwest Calgary. Whether you are a beginner or interested in fashion design and pattern drafting, Sandy’s wealth of experience and love for sewing is unparalleled. She has travelled the world – from Paris to Portland to New York City – honing her craft and developing world-class quality garments and projects. Eager to share her knowledge, Sandy is generous with her time and attention and is able to relate to students of all ages and levels of experience. Unleash your creativity with Seams So Easy!
KIDS & TEENS SEWING CLASSES
One of the most popular sewing classes is for the budding fashionista. Kids and teens start learning to sew by making an introductory project and then progress to sewing whatever they choose. The courses are less structured than school fashion studies programs, as students enjoy having the freedom to sew projects of their own choosing. Each year, there is a fashion show (similar to recitals for dance or music classes). The year-end fashion show is a fun event where students model their creations on a fashion runway. Students are treated to professional hair and make-up services, and runway coaching, to ensure the event is special and memorable. Popular projects for students are:
- Sleepover kits: PJ bottoms, tote bag, pillowcase
- Housecoats
- Skirts
- Bean bag chairs
- Dresses
- Purses
- Throw pillows
- Quillows (blankets that fold into pillows)
- Laptop and iPhone/ iPad cases
- Scarves, hats
ADULT SEWING CLASSES
It’s never too late to try something new or join a group of like-minded individuals. At Sandy’s sewing lounge (adult classes), you can challenge yourself and become inspired by the work of others. Completing a project is very rewarding, and great motivation to start on the next one. Just imagine what you will accomplish! A few popular project ideas are:
- Dresses, skirts
- Blouses
- Jackets
- Laptop bags, iPhone/ iPad cases
- Shawls
- Evening gowns
- Travel accessories (makeup and jewellery bags, Passport case)
- Tablecloths, placemats, napkins
- Sleepwear
- Bags and purses
- Jeans
- Scarves, hats
KIDS & TEENS LEARN TO SEW
Kids and teens can first start learning to sew by making one of the beginner projects (a tote bag, a pillowcase or pyjama pants) which are designed to teach basic skills or to refresh existing ones.
Once students have shown they are comfortable with the basics, they may choose any project to work on in class and work at their own pace.
Students will meet new friends and become inspired in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Registration is open until two weeks after classes start. Sewing machines, tools and expert instruction are provided by Sandy Stewart. Kids and teens only have to supply the fabric they want to use for each project.
Class size is limited to four students per class, and classes are held weekly. You will come to your sewing class for one hour each week, at the same class time. Classes start in September and run through the end of May. Register today to secure your preferred class time and day of the week.
REGISTER TODAY!
ADULTS LEARN TO SEW
Adult Sewing Classes are popular and students range from high-school and university-age through to seniors. In these classes, you will learn basic sewing fundamentals, including various stitch types on sewing machines, embroidery machines and sergers, as well as sewing by hand. In addition, you will learn tips and tricks for layout, cutting and marking patterns properly. Moving through to more advanced techniques like pattern drafting is possible, and you will choose projects that suit your skillset or challenge you to learn a new one.
Registration is open until two weeks after classes start. Sewing machines, tools and expert instruction are provided by Sandy Stewart. Bring you patterns, thread, and accessories to create your beautiful projects.
Class size is limited to four students per class, and classes are held weekly. You will come to your sewing class for two hours each week, at the same class time. Classes start in September and run through the end of May. Register today to secure your preferred class time and day of the week. Choose your own pattern and fabric and let’s get started.
REGISTER TODAY!
SEAMS SO EASY SEWING CLASS SCHEDULE
Fall semester classes start Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, and run until Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023.
Winter semester classes start Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, and run until Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Kids & Teens Sewing Classes
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. | 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. | |
| 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. | 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
Adult Sewing Classes
| TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | |
| 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
MEET SANDY
• Professional sewing expertise, pattern drafting and fashion design
• Committed to quality work
• Creative, passionate and collaborative
Sandy Stewart is a respected and revered expert in her field: fashion design and garment construction.
At age five, Sandy began designing clothes for her favourite paper dolls. During her youth, Sandy’s mom, Joyce, worked in a ladies dress shop and began sewing clothing for her four daughters. One day, Joyce was sewing a beautiful white flower-girl dress for Sandy’s youngest sister Susan, and as Sandy watched the process, she became inspired, and thought: “wouldn’t it be cool to sew and create clothes all day long.”
Sandy would take scrap fabric from Joyce’s bottom dresser drawer and stitch doll clothes by hand – including a wedding dress One Saturday when Sandy was in Grade 10 (Fall 1967), and the coast was clear at home, Sandy experimented with Joyce’s Singer sewing machine for the very first time. She took the orange fabric and sealed Butterick pattern that Joyce had left on the kitchen table. Sandy spent the day measuring, cutting, pinning, and then sewing a tent dress completely from start to finish before Joyce got home that evening.
Joyce was so impressed when she got home, as she looked carefully at the dress, she said Sandy could use her sewing machine anytime to sew projects, like her own figure skating costumes. Sandy proudly wore her orange dress to school that Monday and continued to make her own clothing.
Joyce’s Singer would become Sandy’s pride and joy until the day she left home. She moved to Saskatoon and then Regina to live with friends and pursue studies and a career in secretarial work (one of few options available to women at that time).
Sandy wanted to keep sewing but did not have a sewing machine or the means to purchase one. As a solution, Sandy bought fabric and patterns to make clothes for her friends (bridesmaids dresses, gowns and corporate work attire) and had each garment ready (cut, pinned) to the point of needing a sewing machine. She then rented a machine for a full month ($25/month) and spent each day and night over 30 days completing her projects.
Later, Sandy would save up and rent-to-own her very first Singer sewing machine, and continued to sew for friends and family. Sandy moved to Calgary in 1974 for opportunities and worked in the oil and gas industry for ten years. During this time, she met and married her husband Cal, and had three kids – two girls and a boy: Nichole, Stacey and Kelly. From one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes to special occasion dresses and cute matching outfits, Sandy’s kids were always the best dressed. As she continued to hone her craft, Sandy completed studies in sewing and fashion design and would start her own business teaching kids to sew: Seams So Easy.
Moving to northwest Calgary in the early 1990s, Sandy custom built a professional sewing studio in her home. Students of all ages come to Sandy’s classes to have fun, learn to sew, improve their skills and build lasting friendships. Some have even come for help preparing portfolios for post-secondary studies, start their own fashion business and launch professional careers.
Sandy’s skills and training are world class; she trains with the best, studies attentively and actively pursues professional development.
Sandy’s passion for sewing has taken her to several fashion hubs in Europe (London, Paris) and the U.S. (Portland, Baltimore, and New York City). Using only paper and pencil, a measuring tape (for body measurements) and a ruler, Sandy learned to take her fashion design ideas and bring them to life by creating customized patterns for clothing that will fit perfectly.
Aside from clothing construction and pattern drafting, there are many specialty skills that accomplished fashion designers and seamstress’ can leverage to create stunning pieces.
Sandy has studied and participated in workshops around the world, including Atelier Legeron (Paris), a fashion house whose sole function is to handmake fabric flowers for Chanel, Dior, Jimmy Choo, and other famous fashion and couture designers. This niche skill was passed down through generations. The intricate process of creating a fabric flower of this quality involves several detailed steps, that are well-kept family secrets shared only with apprentices.
Sandy excelled in her apprenticeship training, mastering fabric manipulation, beading, hand embroidery, and other finishing embellishments.
Offering instruction in finishing skills, pattern drafting and sewing means that Sandy’s students will never outgrow her classes, and will always be inspired to create what they can imagine.
Calgary teens’ relationship stitched together over common passion
“It’s like Therapy.”
Sewing is more than it seems for a group of Calgary teens who became friends while taking lessons as young girls.
The hum of machines and chatter of friends fills Sandy Stewart’s sewing room.
She’s taught about a thousand students since the 1980s but four 17-year-olds – Lily Derwee Church, Finnley Maloney, Hailey Southorn and Hannah Timson – have been coming to her basement sewing studio for years.
“Most students stay for about two to three years, but these girls have persevered for a lot longer than that. They got to know each other here and now they’re friends,” said Stewart, who runs Calgary-based Seams So Easy.
“We created a bond in sewing class, but also outside of sewing class,” said Timson.
FROM TAEA, PAULA & LEANNE ~
Taea has enjoyed her time sewing with you so much over the past five years! Thank you for being such a great teacher — she has become very skilled with your guidance and expertise, and is so excited to be sewing her own Grad dress this year!
We’ll always remember your kindness, and also your fun fashion shows! With Taea heading to university next year, this is our farewell message to you too — we will miss you very much.
Love Taea, Paula, and Leanne
FROM MOLLY ~
“My name is Molly and I have been in sewing classes with Sandy for 3 years. My experience has been always fun and entertaining. When I first arrived at sewing, I was terrified of the thought of using a pattern; now I can follow any pattern easily! I first heard about it from my sister’s friend and I joined a year after my sister. Probably one of the most exciting parts of the entire year is the annual fashion show where we get to model all the thingswe made throughout the year. We also make crafts on holidays. One of the best feelings is when you are almost done a project and you can finally see how much it will look like the picture in front of the pattern. I am so happy I decided to try sewing, it is so much fun and Sandy is an awesome teacher.”