Sewing Open Studio 3S24
Need help with mending your ripped jeans, advice on how to alter your store-bought pattern, or the accountability that comes from working around a supportive group of people? Bring your ongoing sewing projects to this monthly open-form studio class.
Join a studio away from home with sewing machines, tools (like silicone cutting mats, rotary fabric cutters, embroidery needles), supplies (like buttons, pattern paper) mentorship, and a community that will help you make your project a reality. Ideate, brainstorm, problem-solve, and execute in a joyful, inclusive environment.
If you need ideas, here are some recent projects students brought in to work on: sewing a cat bed, altering a store-bought pattern of a dress, mending a cashmere sweater, hemming pants, and patching overalls. Please don't be shy and come on by!
*All sewing-experience-levels welcome.
Fifile Nguyen
Fifile (Fi) Nguyen is a former fashion designer specializing in womenswear. She first began taking fashion design classes at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s Glassell Junior School of Art, and then earned a BS in Textile & Apparel Design from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2011, she co-founded a clothing line committed to sustainable fashion made through fair labor practices. One of her dresses won first place in the Born Free USA 4th Annual fffashion (Fur Free Fashion) Competition in 2012.
While she is no longer a practicing fashion designer, Fi delights in sharing her knowledge through the Eliot School. She has been a member of our sewing faculty from 2013-17, and 2023 to present. When not teaching Eliot School students, Fi works as a strategy consultant and sits on our board.
Website:
Specialty:
Fashion design, strategic planning
Materials to bring to class:
Bring to class:
- a project you'd like to work on (it can be at the beginning, in the middle, or near completion - Fi will help you at whatever stage you're in!)
- assorted sewing needles
- any patches, fabric, notions, etc. you'd like to use for your project (we have a selection of materials available)
- Any embellishments (buttons, sequins, etc.) you'd like to use
- And specific cord, thread, etc. you'd like to use