Class Offerings
Winter 2026

Basic Pant Sloper and Jean Draft

In this hands-on course, you’ll learn how to draft and fit a custom pant pattern from your own measurements. Guided step-by-step, you’ll discover how to translate numbers into a basic pant sloper that reflects your unique shape and style.

Starting with how to take accurate body measurements, you’ll move on to drafting the front and back pant patterns, sewing a muslin test garment, and mastering the art of fit adjustments. You’ll learn to recognize balance lines, refine proportions, and make precise changes that transform a basic pattern into a beautifully fitted garment.

Recommended Text: Building Patterns by Suzy Furrer (optional)

Bodice Sloper With Sleeve

The student will learn how to draft a pattern from measurements that fits the figure exactly. This is the moulage - no wearing ease added. Upon completion of the draft, the student will make a muslin test garment to check and adjust the fit. The student then creates a pattern, based upon that moulage, that includes wearing ease. This is the bodice sloper or bodice block and can be used as a starting point to create blouses, dresses, jackets, and coats. Once you have the bodice sloper, you will create an accompanying sleeve sloper. The sloper with sleeve will sewn up in muslin and fitted as well.

This class, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite for Drafting a Jacket/Coat and Altering Commercial Patterns.

Design Lab: Shirts / Tops / Tunics

Students begin with a photo or drawing of an upper-body garment (top, blouse, shirt or tunic -- no jackets/coats please) and submit that to Lynda by January 1, 2026, along with a written list of details they'd like included. Lynda will guide you through how to draft the top itself and the details. Think tucks, pleats, hidden plackets, and different necklines.

Finish It!

FINISH IT! is a 4-week class. You came up with the idea. Each of you comes to the class with a project to finish, something you need help with or motivation to complete. Peer support is part of the class.

Where does Lynda come in? You email your classmates and Lynda a few days before each class meeting with your goals for that particular class and, if stuck, where you're stuck. Lynda will think about your challenges and provide feedback to each of you during the class time, perhaps pointing you to one of the 250+ videos she has prepared on how to draft/sew projects. You'll all work together to finish one (or more) projects through the course of the 4 weeks.

Ready to Wear Jacket - The Sienna

Join Lynda for a focused workshop on creating a polished, ready-to-wear jacket using the Sienna Jacket by Closet Core Patterns. Inspired by vintage French workwear, the Sienna offers three stylish views and timeless utility details.

Lynda will elevate your skills with techniques such as machine-tailored collars and lapels, an improved order of construction, and drafting/installing a full lining by machine. These methods apply to many popular workwear patterns, giving you tools you’ll use again and again.

The jacket shown was created by student Kay Hallows—see the blog post linked for more inspiration.

Sewing Pants: Start to Finish

Learn to sew pants like a pro! In this hands-on class, you’ll tackle everything from shaping and pockets to fly zippers, waistbands, and cuffs. Each week builds your skills with new techniques; slant and welt pockets, invisible zippers, contour waistbands, and more. By the end, you’ll finish a custom pair of pants and gain the know-how to create endless variations with confidence.

Purchase your own pattern or use one you've drafted.

Tailoring Part 2

The second class focuses on construction, including techniques for shaping and structure. By the end of this class, you will have constructed most of the jacket itself, excluding the lining. Pre-requisite class is Tailoring I, or consent of the instructor.