We’re taking a break from workshops this year, but plan to resume in 2023. Sign up for our mailing list for a heads up when we update our calendar.
Thursday – Sunday (includes overnight stay Sunday and breakfast on Monday)
Dress School is an intensive 4-day sewing workshop with 100 Acts of Sewing creator Sonya Philip. Students will sew several different dresses, from simple shifts to caftans, with different sleeve styles and customizations. Students learn how to cut and ways to adjust pattern pieces for fit, plus finishing details and modifications. You will leave with at least 3 finished dresses, and the patterns and ideas to make many more!
The printed patterns, in eight sizes, will be provided for students to use and take home. This class is open to all skill levels, but you do need experience using a sewing machine.
Dress School Includes:
- 4 full days of classes
- Printed copies with instruction booklets of 100 Acts of Sewing Dress No. 1, Dress No. 2, and Dress No. 3.
- Notions and accent fabrics
- 3 yummy meals/day (omnivore or vegetarian), plus snacks
- 4 nights in shared guest rooms in former high school classrooms. Private rooms available at additional charge.
- Goody bag!
We’ll have irons and boards, cutting mats, scissors, cutters for you to use, or you’re welcome to bring your own if you have favorites. :)
For fun & inspiration, Google image results for “100 Acts of Sewing Dress.”
REQUIREMENTS
This workshop is open to all levels, but you must have experience using a sewing machine. You may bring your machine or rent a student machine ($10/day=$40 for workshop–please reserve at registration if you’ll be using one of our machines, so we’ll be sure to have enough for everyone).
Bring your fabrics of choice (laundered as you intend to wash the garment) for each of the three dresses covered.
Accent fabrics will be provided for bias tape and decorative accents such as pockets or cuffs–or bring your own if you have specific plans (allow 1/2yd – 1yd per dress). Similarly, you can use our thread or bring your own.
Dress School is designed for students to work at their own pace. Depending on your speed and skill level, you may make a single dress each day, or multiples. Be sure to bring fabric to match your garment-making plans.
LOGISTICS
GETTING HERE
You can fly into Wichita (ICT) or Kansas City (MCI) and rent a car (both about 2 hrs away). If you’re driving, GPS can trick you into taking crazy, horrible dirt roads, so verify your route with our directions.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
CHECK IN at 9am on Thursday. Get settled in and class begins at 10.
EARLY ARRIVAL: If you’re coming from afar and need flexibility, early arrival is available the night before. $75 includes your dinner Wednesday night. Check in after 5pm Wednesday night. Keep in mind it will be a little bit crazy and a lot informal! Just drop me a line and I’ll confirm with you and and the charge will be added to your tab at checkin.
CHECK OUT by 10am Monday morning (Note: you may check out whenever it’s convenient for you–including Sunday night, if your schedule requires. )
CLASS SCHEDULE
Dress School covers a lot of ground, but the tone is casual and relaxed. Classes will run from 10-5pm daily, with a lunch break. You’re welcome to continue to work on your own after hours.
Thursday
Check in at 9am, and we’ll get started around 10.
Dress No. 1: basic sleeveless dress.
Friday
Dress No. 3: dress with built-in sleeves.
Saturday
Dress No. 2: dress with set-in sleeves.
Sunday
Modifications: adding a button placket, contrasting yokes, pocket variations, colorblock hems, cuffs, etc. Class will finish up a bit early on Sunday to round out the workshop with sharing/fashion show!
Fabric Requirements
Please launder fabric as you intend to launder finished dress. Continuous yardage in 45″ fabric:
Dress no. 1: Cotton, linen, wool, rayon or natural fiber blend woven fabric
XS – S: 2 1/4 yards (2.1 m); M – L: 2 1/4 yards (2.1 m); XL – 2X: 2 3/8 yards (2.2 m); 3X – 4X: 2 1/2 yards (2.3 m)
Dress no. 2: Cotton, linen, wool, rayon or natural fiber blend woven fabric
XS: 2 5/8 yards (2.4 m); S – M: 2 3/4 yards (2.55 m); L – XL: 3 yards (2.75 m); 2X – 3X: 3 3/8 yards (3.1 m); 4X: 3 1/2 yards (3.2 m)
Dress no. 3: Cotton, linen, wool, rayon or natural fiber blend woven fabric
XS: 2 5/8 yards (2.4 m); S – M: 2 3/4 yards (2.55 m); L – XL: 3 yards (2.75 m); 2X – 3X: 3 3/8 yards (3.1 m); 4X: 3 1/2 yards (3.2 m)
Size Chart:
| XS | 32 inches (81 cm) | 26 inches (66 cm) | 36 inches (91 cm) |
| S | 35 inches (89 cm) | 30 inches (76 cm) | 40 inches (102 cm) |
| M | 38 inches (97 cm) | 34 inches (86 cm) | 44 inches (112 cm) |
| L | 41 inches (104 cm) | 38 inches (96 cm) | 48 inches (122 cm) |
| XL | 44 inches (112 cm) | 42 inches (107 cm) | 52 inches (132 cm) |
| 2X | 47 inches (119 cm) | 46 inches (117 cm) | 56 inches (142 cm) |
| 3X | 50 inches (127 cm) | 50 inches (127 cm) | 60 inches (152 cm) |
| 4X | 53 inches (135 cm) | 54 inches (137 cm) | 64 inches (163 cm) |
Sonya Philip is an artist, designer and teacher. Four years ago, Sonya started 100 Acts of Sewing, making dresses while documenting the process. Since then she has made it her mission to convince people to sew their own clothes. When not covered in bits of thread, she can be found knitting another shawl or cardigan. Sonya lives in San Francisco with her family.
REGISTRATION
DRESS SCHOOL includes all classes, accommodations, and meals, plus notions and a fun assortment of accent fabrics to choose from. You bring your dress fabric as outlined above, and your machine (if you don’t have a machine, you may reserve one for rental at $10/day, $40 total–please select at registration, so we’ll be sure to have enough student machines).
Standard rate is for a shared room (doubles or triples, with double or queen beds) in former classrooms in our old high school building. Private rooms available for an additional fee. Due to the nature of instruction, space is limited!
Register with a 50% deposit (refundable until August 1, 2020, less $25 PayPal/admin fee). You’ll pay your balance when you check in.
Note: if you’re a veteran of our workshops and prefer a private room, registration is a little different than usual: the private rooms are set up as an add-on instead of an option (50% deposit for both is still the same).
Note: If the ongoing COVID-19 virus outbreak continues and we need to cancel the workshop, your deposit will be refunded in full.
Reserve a Private Room
Reserve with a 50% deposit (refundable until 6 weeks prior, less $25 PayPal/admin fee). You’ll pay your balance when you check in.
Reserve a Student Machine
Dress School 2019
One the great joys of Dress School for me was being able to try on all of the dresses before choosing your size! Sonya brings every single dress in every single size, so you can see firsthand which size fits you best in each style. It’s also inspiring to see all the potential for customization and fabric variations.
Dress No. 1
Dress No. 2.
Dress No. 3.