Dear Fellow Sewer,

My classes have been developed to offer both home sewers and sewing professionals the opportunity to take a comprehensive and in-depth look into particular aspects of sewing and design. Each session has been carefully planned to provide you with hands-on experience, lectures and demonstrations, and lots of individual attention. You will undoubtedly also learn from your fellow classmates and their projects, and you will certainly enjoy – and benefit from – being with others who share your passion.

I currently teach most of my local classes in my home/studio. If you are not familiar with the Baltimore metropolitan area, my community of Sparks is located about a half-hour drive north of downtown Baltimore and about a half-hour south of York, Pennsylvania. My home/studio is generally open to participating students from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. I provide each student with a work station of a table and chair. A suggested supply list will be sent to you about four to six weeks before the class begins, but feel free to ask if you have questions. Also, I do have two small short-haired cats, and I provide a continental breakfast each morning, so if you have concerns regarding animal or food allergies, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I hope you’ll join me for a class so that you can integrate new information and experiences with the skills you’ve already mastered – it’s a wonderful way to spark your creativity.

September 18-23, 2012

DEFINE YOUR STYLE (DESIGN I) - Sarah Veblen's studio in Sparks, Maryland

What's the difference between an ensemble that is appealing and one that is stunning? Why do some women look overpowered and stiff in their clothes while others look comfortable and graceful? What is it that really happens to push clothing into that "absolutely exquisite" category?

This 6-day class will give you the opportunity to explore and understand the many facets of designing garments. We will study: the elements of design and their interrelationship; visualization and the value of sketching; the creative process and how to utilize it; fabrication and color usage; garment "engineering" and construction techniques to enhance your designs; and developing a wardrobe that works for you and your life style.

Many students who take this class, which focuses on the evolution of a personal style, say that it is a life-changing class in terms of how they think about garment sewing.

(Class fee: $765.00 by credit card or discounted at $735.00 by check. Deposit to hold your space: $158.00 by credit card or discounted at $150.00 by check.)

July 16, 2012

NYC Fabric Shopping Day with Sarah Veblen!

We'll concentrate on finding a variety of wonderful fabrics and trims, along with all that New York's garment district has to offer. Transportation between Baltimore and New York will be with Superior Tours Bus Company, which departs Baltimore at 6:30 a.m. and returns around 10:00 p.m. I will take care of making the bus reservations for participants traveling from Baltimore. You may also choose to meet Sarah and the group in the City.

I will email each participant my annotated NYC Resource List about two weeks before our shopping day - be sure to let me know what types of fabrics, notions, and trim you want to look for, and I'll make sure that we go to the best shops for those items.

(Day in NYC fee: Traveling with Sarah on Superior Tours Bus, including cost of bus - $179.00 by credit card or discounted at $170.00 by check. Meeting Sarah in NYC - $109.00 by credit card or discounted at $100.00 by check.)

July 13-15, 2012

GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH KNITS - Sarah Veblen's studio in Sparks, Maryland

This 3-day workshop takes an in-depth look at knits. Mornings are devoted to lecture and demonstrations. Topics include:

• Learning to recognize different knit fabrics and knit structures
• How to accurately assess the stretch and recovery factors of knits
• How to select patterns when working with knit fabrics
• How to gauge what size pattern to use; guidelines on choosing a knit fabric for a specific project
• Tips on sewing with knit
• Neckline finishing techniques

During the afternoons, I will fit each participant for a T-shirt made from interlock knit without spandex, and either a bodysuit or close-fitting camisole made from jersey knit with spandex. You will learn in class how to make adjustments to your pattern if you want to use a different type of knit fabric. You can expect to leave class with well fitting patterns for these two garments along with a few neckline variations.

Four to six weeks before class, I will send you: (1) a detailed supply list; (2) guidelines for selecting patterns and choosing the appropriate size; (3) two yards of cotton interlock and two yards of cotton/spandex knit fabrics for your first mock-ups (included in your class fee); and (4) instructions for preparing your mock-ups. Since knit fabrics vary to a great degree, I prefer that you use the fabrics I send you for your initial mock-ups, which will facilitate my fitting each participant. These fabrics will be available at a reasonable cost during class if you wish to purchase more.

For a more detailed description, visit the Getting Comfortable With Knits page (click this link or navigate from the Classes page). (Class fee: $465.00 by credit card or discounted at $445.00 by check. Deposit to hold your space: $158.00 by credit card or discounted at $150.00 by check.)

May 18-20, 2012

SEWING RETREAT - Sarah Veblen's studio in Sparks, Maryland

Sewing retreats give you time to concentrate on your sewing while having an abundance of guidance from Sarah, as well as the companionship of others who enjoy sewing. Sarah will be available throughout the day to work with you individually on whatever you need help with: having muslins or garments fit; assistance with pattern work; deciding what to make out of specific fabric; selecting appropriate patterns; fine-tuning a design; creating the right embellishment; figuring out what linings, underlinings, and interfacings to use; or solving any knotty sewing problem that arises - no matter how large or small.

April 25-29, 2012 (two workshop sessions)

ACHIEVE A CUSTOM FIT WITH SARAH VEBLEN - Hosted by the Chicago ASG Chapter and held in Evanston, Illinois

I'm so excited that I'll be traveling to the Chicago area for two workshop sessions that focus on fitting a blouse or a dress!

All participants will attend the afternoon session on Wednesday, April 25. I will discuss the interrelationship between patternmaking and fit, demonstrate how to transfer fitting adjustments from a muslin to the pattern, and give participants some exercises to help them use a fashion ruler effectively.

Then, there will be two different 2-day workshops (April 26-27 and April 28-29) during which I will work with participants individually getting their garments to fit. For more information or to register please visit the Chicago ASG's website.

April 21-23, 2012

JACKET WORKSHOP - DoubleTree Hotel in Burlington, Vermont

It took me years to figure out what was so special about jackets. My stumbling block was that I kept making jackets that didn't suit my life style, my clothing style, or my body's build. Once I figured out these things, jackets became an indispensable component in my wardrobe, and I love wearing them!

In this 3-day workshop, I'll help you develop a perfectly fitting jacket that's proportionate for your body. I'll also discuss stylistic elements such as collars and cuffs, fabrications, inner structure, linings, and finishing techniques. You may work on a classic jacket or a softly structured jacket. Or if you want to tackle a French-style jacket, I'll show you how to streamline some of the couture techniques that are traditionally used. Note that this class does not include men's tailoring techniques such as pad stitching and taping a lapel - rather, it concentrates on tailoring techniques that I have found to be more flattering on a woman's frame.

A supply list, instructions on marking and sewing a test fitting garment, and pattern suggestions will be sent about six weeks prior to the beginning of the class.

(Class fee, based on an eight-person minimum: $640.00 by credit card or discounted at $615.00 by check. Deposit to hold your space: $158.00 by credit card or discounted at $150.00 by check.)

March 2-4, 2012

ADVANCED SEWING TECHNIQUES - Sarah Veblen's studio in Sparks, Maryland

Many people who enjoy sewing garments go through a similar progression of skills. First, they love sewing garments. Then they get interested in getting patterns to fit nicely. Next, they get more intrigued with design and taking their pattern skills further. And after that? Interestingly, it's often back to learning more sewing skills now that they're working on more complicated garments. If your passion for sewing has progressed along these lines, this class is for you!

This 3-day class focuses on more advanced sewing techniques, including things that will speed up your sewing and make it more accurate. We will also look at sewing situations that are commonly encountered in garment sewing and review sewing techniques that will improve your proficiency and give your confidence a boost.

Mornings will be devoted to lecture, discussion, and exercises designed to help you improve your sewing skills. Afternoons will be for sewing on your own projects, while I work with each person individually.

Following are techniques that will be covered. All participants are invited to suggest topics or sewing situations that they would like to be included.

• Collar assembly for rolled collars, shawl collars, and notch collars
• Buttonhole placement, and sewing buttonholes and buttons
• Handling and hemming flounces
• Baby hems
• Techniques for sheer fabrics
• Controlling ease
• Sewing a set-in sleeve
• Sewing concave curves to convex curves
• Inserting invisible zippers

(Class fee: $440.00 by credit card or discounted at $425.00 by check. Deposit to hold your space: $158.00 by credit card or discounted at $150.00 by check.)