Festive Hand Sewing

SESSION 1: Sat. 1/17/26, 11 am - 1:30 pm Eastern Time

SESSION 2: Thurs. 2/5/26, 6 - 8:30 pm Eastern Time

sign up for Saturday session (1/17/26) here
sign up for Thursday session (2/5/26) here

In this dark season, let us resist despair and instead lean into joy. Throughout history, humans have come together to combat cold, difficult times with warmth, food, compassion, art-making, music-making, humor, transgressions against the everyday slog... In this one-session, live Zoom class, we’ll use hand sewing as a tool to transgress against the drear. We’ll explore a variety of real-deal stitching techniques to upgrade preexisting clothing into something more supportive, joyful, or whimsical. Stitch by stitch, let’s practice turning our tender, imagined ideas into robust realities. In addition to stitching work, students will also be invited to write independently from a few journaling prompts meant to encourage richer relationships with their sewing practices and/or communities.

Techniques we may cover include:

  • Repairing structural seams with even backstitch and overcasting

  • Attaching patch pockets

  • Appliquéing confidently using English paper piecing to create more involved designs

  • Creating fabric ball buttons and attaching them

  • Making buttonholes

  • Stitching button brooches

  • And more! The techniques we end up exploring together will depend on the particular group’s preferences.

This class will be recorded and accessible to all enrolled students for one month.

To accommodate different schedules, I’ll be offering this class twice (on Sat. 1/17/26, and on Thurs. 2/5/26). Sign up for whichever is most convenient for you. Your sign-up will only admit you to the session you’ve enrolled in.

Materials you may wish to have on hand:

  • A notebook and pen (or other writing tools of choice) for a few journaling prompts

  • A few scraps of fabric (at least the size of your palm) to practice stitch techniques with

  • Basic hand sewing tools: hand sewing needle, basic thread (all-purpose is great), scissors, pins, thimble if desired, thread conditioner if desired, iron/board if available

  • Ruler

  • A tired old garment in need of freshening up

  • I also have a zine called Festive Hand Sewing covering all of this class’s techniques and plenty more. It would make a lovely accompanying text for you either during or after the class. However, please know that the zine is absolutely not necessary to have in order to take the class.

 Class fee is $35 per person for a single session. I’ll offer two scholarship spots for those who are eager and able to attend the live session but can’t afford the class fee. (Scholarship seats will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so please email louisaowensonstroem@gmail.com as soon as you know you’re able to attend.)