Update - June 2026
Who are we and what are we doing here?!
We provide educational sewing opportunities for beginners, casual creators and couture level sewists.
We love to welcome you to our sewing studio in Providence, RI, where we help people learn to use their sewing machines (or to use our machines). We welcome sewists at all stages of the game - the inspired beginner, including children, and intermediate and advanced level sewists.
We can schedule individual private, semi-private, and / or small group lessons, including those in which you make your desired project and receive coaching to learn/ master the skills to do so (Guided Sew).
If you have a small group of interested people, (4 or fewer) please reach out to me at mastersewing2020@gmail.com to discuss a time for your group to learn the desired sewing skills.
Guided Sew runs nearly every Saturday and as needed.
Denise is clothing the stuffie for her niece
Kathryn upcycled her blouse!
At the most advanced level, with Jane Headley instructing, we provide project based hybrid group classes, teaching couture techniques, which offer an incredible amount of choice in terms of the customized options you choose. These couture classes use sewing and fitting techniques to create one of a kind well fitting garments using personal design elements and hand finishing methods. We help you overcome “fitting frustration” by fitting muslins at the beginning of the classes, so pattern adjustments are made before cutting the fashion fabric.
Some people choose to join us remotely and experience success in participating in classes this way. Most participants choose the in-person class situation, but all participants can join remotely when the need arises.
Located at easily accessible 3 Acorn St. in Providence, we have adequate parking for the street level studio, either on the street or in the parking lot directly across from the studio.
What have we been doing since our last update?
URI - TMD
I was excited and energized by joining the teaching staff at the University of RI, Textiles, Merchandising, Design Dept., from September of 2025 through April of 2026. My assignment was to teach Apparel I to undergraduate students in the major. In a beautiful setting, I first met 12 students ready to learn to sew, or expand their current skill level. I met 15 more during the second semester. I always find it to be enlightening around young people.
We made basic pants, pencil skirts and shirt jackets.
I am thankful to Susan Hannel, Dept. Chair, for this opportunity. I also thank Diane Martin for teaching what I needed to know about using industrial sewing machines!
Here’s a Video - Spring Splash Fashion Show, 2020
January Advanced Guided Sew - Serious sewing people had a 4 week opportunity to get coaching and guidance from Jane Headley and classmates, to work on any project(s) of their choosing. Some brought projects they wanted to complete, but had been held up by some issue.
Personally, I used it as a fitting session for a muslin for a sheath dress…and I changed my mind, so it’s now a 2 piece top and skirt pattern. Perfect fir what I have planned for a summer project!
February Trench Coat - This 7 week class resulted in some full length trench coats, and this class opportunity also allowed for jackets and specific choices as far as which Trench Coat features the makers wanted to use. These 2 jackets demonstrate the personal choices:
March / April - Our 4 week - Quilted / Couture Skirt allowed for a variety of skirts, all underlined and lined, some quilted (like the French Jacket), and some with princess seams. Imagine a quilted princess seam skirt to match a quilted FJ?
Here’s Edie’s perfect skirt:
Samantha made this dress!
May / June - Classic / Custom FJ - This class is in progress for the 6th time, having first offered it fully remotely in winter of 2021. Again, these will fit every maker in class, because they’re custom made - a variety of fabrics are being used. Many different features are being used - collars, zippers, trims, length variations….
Under Construction:
Classic Look, Fine Fit
Take a peek at the lining!
Summer Session - 6 weeks of Advanced Guided Sew - sold out before officially announced.
BUT…..we will be back with the an update soon to add our Fall 2026 plans.
Enjoy!
Update Feb. 2026
A Quick Look Back
Here we are, hoping to turn the page to spring weather sooner rather than later. I’m thinking about classes and projects; the one we’re running now (The Trench Jacket), is our current class with 6 different patterns being used, and 7 people customizing as they see fit for their respective styles. Jane Headley is at the helm, sharing the videos she has made in the process, and sharing newer techniques with hands-on practice.
And, I recently received Debbie H’s photos from the fall Jean Jacket class. Her jacket photos tell the story of this versatile jacket and her skills.
Earlier in the fall we had our first “Advanced Guided Sew” class, 4 weeks. Limited to 6 participants, this was another class where no person was working on the same project as another. There was some muslin making and fitting, some project completion, a navy blue cashmere jacket underway, and I worked on alterations to the bodice of a wedding dress. It was fabulous to confer with Jane and others in deciding how those various changes to the bodice should be handled.
Most recently, Pam Leggett came to Acorn St. in Providence to run a 7 hour Serger Workshop, with 10 participants (and as many different sergers) on a Saturday. It was amazing to spend the day making a sample book of many different stitches with all settings recorded for each respective machine. Pam demonstrated knowledge of every machine in the room.
This workshop received great accolades, as you would suspect if you’ve ever taken a class or workshop from Pam of Pamela’s Patterns.
Going forward
After Trench Coat (and jacket) class concludes, we will jump right into the Couture Quilted Skirt, which will be a 4 week make - if you’ve ever made this skirt, you know how versatile it is in terms of dressing it up or down, coordinating with a lace blouse, a jean jacket, or a French jacket. Several patterns are recommended. You will not only end this class with a custom one of a kind skirt, you’ll have a fitted muslin to use again.
Here are a couple of makes from this class which ran in 2023
Our last class of the season, which will take us through June of 2026 is the favorite “The Classic / Custom French Jacket.”
We call it Classic / Custom because you can make it be what you imagine - go with classic if you have never done that or if it’s been awhile and you would prefer a new one.
Or customize the jacket further, deciding to add a collar, zippers at center front and on the sleeves, buttons instead of hooks and eyes, and the length - long, short or in between. Your call.
All of these classes include the opportunity to take them remotely or in person: instructional videos and class recordings are distributed weekly, for your convenience.
And with that, it will be late June, and will be a wrap on the Sixth Season of Master the Art of Sewing.
Let me know if you have questions:
We hope you’ll consider joining us in class.
Private Lessons, Children’s Lessons and Guided Sew available at your request.
Update
Nov. 2025
Here we are in November of 2025, having acknowledged Veterans' Day, and now Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror.
I hope we can maintain a feeling of gratitude for the good in our lives.
Happy 5th Anniversary, Master the Art of Sewing!
A look back - Anyone who took classes in the fall of 2020 from the instructors at Master the Art of Sewing might recall that this was a brand new business, intended to provide “in person” classes, beginning in September. However, given the pandemic situation (!!), we adopted an entrepreneurial attitude, and Jane and Nancy were first to say they would try teaching remotely, and so it began.
We met outside that summer, or masked, to get acquainted with Zoom and cameras to make video recordings of planned class content. Jen Stern of jsterndesigns was flipping her in person classes to online classes, and came along to help get this off the ground and into our homes.
Yes, we hit our 5th anniversary this past September!
I will also sneak in a “thank you” to my 3 advisors / daughters, Rose, Emily and Olivia, who have encouraged me from the start, offer me much free counseling, and serve as my “Tech Dept.” I am so grateful.
What’s coming in 2026?
Jane Headley's Advanced Guided Sew - Second Offering
Wednesdays, 11:30 to 2:00, 4/01, 4/08
Pam Leggett is Coming Back - 6 hour in person Serger Workshop
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 9:30 - 3:30
Discover the full potential of your serger in this comprehensive and inspiring class, designed for both new and experienced serger owners!
Jane Headley - The Trench Coat - Elle Magazine
Jane Headley and The Classic or Custom French Jacket
“Despite the origins of the design dating back to the 1820s, the trench coat is a timeless silhouette — and one that is reimagined by designers every season.”
Reimagine yours - starts 2/04/26 and runs until 3/25, on Wednesdays from 11:30 - 2:00
Jane is the seasoned instructor of this high demand class, typically bringing new ideas and methods year after year.
Guided Sew at the Advanced Beginner and Intermediate levels
We will continue with Saturday offerings by Barbara Hendricks, with Meg Goulart scheduling when she can.
Let us know if you have a small group (4 or fewer) looking for a specific class.
Workshops offered at your request for groups of 3 or 4.
Private Lessons - email to schedule: mastersewing2020@gmail.com
Gift Cards starting at $25 - Purchase here
Jane Headley's New Class - Advanced Guided Sew
Starts Jan. 7, Wednesdays, 11:30 - 2:00, and runs for 4 weeks.
Pam Leggett’s 2 day “All Things Jeans” Workshop went Hybrid with Us!
This format was for 1 full day in August, in person with Pam, who fitted and advised pattern changes based on the fittings and participant preferences. The front of the jeans was nearly complete at the end of day 1.
Approximately 3 weeks later, we held a remote day, allowing each participant to choose a small group in the studio setting, or join us from their homes. Pam taught the class from her studio - it is amazing what we can do remotely, fitting, demonstrating, etc. The comments about Pam’s skill and teaching methods could not have been more positive.
“Incredibly organized and clear”
“A great teacher”
“Allowed for different skill levels to all succeed”
Looking back at the past few months
Private Lessons:
And, as usual, we have been providing private lessons. This is Addy at her second lesson, having learned to use the machine she received for her 11th birthday:
Wishing you Peace and Good Health during the holiday season!
Barbara
We also ran 2 sessions of Muslin Fitting, this fall. One session ran for 3 weeks, with participants choosing to attend either 2 or 3 sessions. I hope we see some of the finished garments that resulted from those fittings!
The second session was specifically for the Jean Jacket Construction class, well underway at this point. Given 3 different patterns, the class members are making various choices, such as flat felled seams or not, buttons, welt pockets, etc.
And, I am so appreciative of the participants who come to Sat. AM Guided Sew.
Denise is making snappy clothing for her niece’s sloth:
And Linda's coat is all but done! She has only the hem to get to the finish line!
