Advance Your Sewing Skills

Once you’ve mastered your beginning sewing skills it’s time to take it to the next level. In this course, produced in conjunction with National Sewing Circle, Ashley Hough will expand on basic techniques you already know as well as teach you new techniques that you can apply to both home decor and garment projects.

Ashley Hough will begin by covering several types of stitches as well as different stitch lengths that are commonly used in sewing. You will learn when and why to use each of them and why it is important to use a variety of different stitches throughout your projects, rather than just sticking to one you may be the most familiar with. In addition to learning what the stitches are and why to use them, Ashley will teach you common names for some of the stitches, including stay-stitching and ease-stitching, so you can easily recognize the terms in any sewing pattern.

Darts and pleats will also be covered in this course. You will learn about several different types of darts and pleats, how to sew them and where they are best used. In general darts and pleats are great for adding shaping or texture to your project, depending on whether it is a garments or home décor project, however using the right one can help you better achieve the desired result.

No matter what project you are working on, you are bound to run in to a corner or a curve that needs to be stitched. Ashley will give you tips for confidently tackling both curves and corners, including how to get crisp corners on bulky fabrics.

Ashley will teach several different seam finishes in this course, including ones that can be done during construction of a project and others that can be done after. The seam finishing method you choose to use can depend on both the type of project you are making as well as what kind of fabric is being used. She will explain what to consider when making the right choice of seam finishing technique.

In addition to seam finishes, you will also learn several different hemming methods including no-sew and blind hems. Blind hems are commonly used when hemming pant legs, but can be used on other garments as well. No-sew hems are a great option if you need to quickly finish an edge or if you don’t want to see a line of stitching.

No matter what your next project is, whether it’s a garment or something for your home, the tips and techniques you will learn in this class will help bring that project to the next level. Also included are downloadable PDF resource documents for additional tips on using fusible hem tape along with a stitch length reference guide.

How do I know what the Class covers?

Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.

Do I have to be a Member of National Sewing Circle to purchase a Class?

No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on National Sewing Circle content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great sewing videos and articles as a Member, so give it a try.

How do I purchase a Class?

First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.

How do I access/view my Class?

Once you’ve paid, you can access/view your Class by going to the MY ACCOUNT section of National Sewing Circle. The MY ACCOUNT link is in the upper right-hand area of the website. Within your MY ACCOUNT, a section labeled “My Content” is where the class you purchased will appear, including a link to watch the video of your Class. You’ll also receive an email confirmation after your purchase, which will include a link to view your Class. You can access your Class as many times as you wish, and you’ll never lose access to your Account information. Just be sure to “Log In” for access to MY ACCOUNT.

Do I have to take the Class right away?

No. Any Class you buy will be accessible to you always. You can view your Class whenever you want, and you can view individual Sessions in whatever order you like.

Is there a limit on the times I can view my Class?

No. Your access never expires. You can view any Class you purchase as many times as you want, whenever you want.

Can I view a Class on my tablet device or mobile phone?

No problem. Most newer-model smartphones or other mobile/tablet devices with an internet connection are able to play the Class videos. Simply Log In on National Sewing Circle, and you can view any Class you’ve bought through the MY ACCOUNT section. Or, you can click on the “View Class” link within the email confirmation you’ll receive upon your purchase.

How do I get access to the Bonus Materials for the Class?

Until you purchase a Class, the Bonus material (any extra videos, download materials, etc.) will not be accessible. Once you purchase a Class, and go to view your Class, each individual Bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the Bonus Materials directly below your main Class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you like and/or save them to your device.

How does the Class Q&A Resource benefit work?

Once you purchase any Class, within the Class viewing page, you’ll have access to post a question, comment or tip in the Class Discussions. This is not a “live chat,” but National Sewing Circle contributors will answer posted questions and provide tips regularly. You can also view other Class participants’ questions and input to take part in this virtual dialogue among others who have taken the Class and are willing to share tips, answers, or ideas.

Can I print out Class details?

For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want, and print with your local printer.

What are PDF downloads?

These are simply documents, plans, or written materials that are formatted in a way to print out and retain for reference. By simply clicking on the icon/link for any PDF Download that is included with a Class, you can print that document on your own printer or simply view the contents on your computer/mobile device.

Are there any system requirements to view the Class video content?

Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.

Why do you need my email?

We need it to acknowledge your purchase of a Class, and send you a confirmation of your transaction. Also, in order to maintain your permanent access to the Class videos, you’ll need to Login to www.nationalsewingcircle.com. We guarantee that we will not share your email with any third parties. You may receive email updates from National Sewing Circle from time to time, with details of new Classes and updates. You can easily unsubscribe when you receive any email.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like the Class?

Because you’ll have full access to all the materials and content that is presented in the Class immediately, we can’t offer a refund after purchase. Please review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content.

How do I contact National Sewing Circle?

If your question is about the Class content, please use the Contact Us Link – and you'll receive feedback from the Class Instructor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at nationalsewingcircle@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-855-208-7187. Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.