The form itself is simple: body, placket, sleeves, cuffs, collar. The myriad combinations of detail, from subtle to extravagant, change the fit, feel, and effect of the shirt.
In this series of four classes, students will work from material decisions through finishing details to construct their own basic button up shirt. Vanessa will cover terminology and sewing techniques—including intermediate sewing machine use and hand-sewing stitches for detail work.
Students will create a basic moderately fitted shirt with a french placket; long sleeves with a button cuff or short sleeves; a rounded stand collar and optional tie; a yoke; bust darts; and optional pockets. Under Vanessa’s guidance, students will also have the opportunity to customize the shape of their collar and add details like ruffles or buttons. Near the end of the workshop, students will learn to add hand-sewn details to make their wearable garments an expression of their hand work and individual creativity!
The Workshop
Session I
Vanessa will go over sizing, self-measuring, and students will begin to plan the details of their shirt. Students will then place the pattern pieces and cut! In the process, students will explore different cutting methods and tools, and learn about the importance of “interfacing.” Students will also choose their desired collar shape—from conventional to fanciful, Vanessa will take the class through the endless possibilities!
In this class, you will learn how to:
- Read pattern instructions and anticipate details
- Choose your size and measure yourself
- Construct French seams and consider pattern allowance
- Choose fabric, thread, and buttons
- Lay out pattern pieces
- Transfer pattern markings onto fabric
- Cut a pattern
- Interface
Saturday, October 17th, 2026
10am-3pm ET
Session II
In this class, students will begin to sew their garments. Though basic sewing machine experience is encouraged, Vanessa will make sure that everyone is confident setting up and sewing on a machine. Students will tackle the fiddly bits of loops and pockets, and sew the back yoke with the “burrito method,” a fun puzzle that joins the front and back of a garment. As students move from flat to dimensional work, shirts will begin to take shape!
In this class you will learn how to:
- Set up and sew comfortably on a machine
- Sew loops & pockets
- Sew a yoke to front and back pieces
- Sew a collar
- Sew main seams, including whether to French seam or not
Saturday, October 24th, 2026
10am-3pm ET
Session III
Sleeves! In this class, students will learn about sleeves and how they fundamentally change the style of a shirt. Those who have chosen to construct long sleeves will sew on the seam placket; others may decide to sew a narrow cuff binding and add elastic.
In this class you will learn how to:
- Gather and set in sleeves
- Sew on sleeve plackets
Saturday, October 31st, 2026
10am-3pm ET
Session IV
Now its time for students to use their imaginations to add hand touches to the fabric. They may choose to experiment with visible stitching, add buttons and buttonholes, or finish cuffs and collars by hand. Vanessa will also share examples of embellishment and hand work for inspiration. To conclude the workshop, students will share and admire the wearable artwork they’ve created!
In this class you will learn how to:
- Sew and cut open buttonholes
- Finish a collar and cuffs
- Add optional topstitching
- Embellish with hand stitching and decorative materials
Saturday, November 7th, 2026
10am-3pm ET
Dates + Time
10 am-3 pm ET
Saturdays, October 17th, 24th, 31st, and November 7th, 2026
Location
Tatter Textile Library: 505 Carroll Street, #2B, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Cost
$500
Materials
All supplies will be provided. You are welcome to bring additional materials (like special fabric or thread) that you would like to experiment with or incorporate.
Scholarships
There is a scholarship spot available for this workshop. Please email info@tatter.org to learn more.
OUR TEACHER
Vanessa Baish works in service of learning of all kinds, currently as a lecturer teaching literature at BMCC and in the public programs and exhibitions department of the Brooklyn Public Library. She first learned to knit as a child from her grandmother and learned the basics of sewing in middle school; she returned to both while in graduate school studying literature. Her thinking and making–wearable artifacts to thread journaling–are text/ile expressions of her love of material.