Let’s make something awesome, Friends.
The world can never have too many makers. Makers are using their energy and resources to create a nicer world around them. Makers have appreciation for quality and the real work that goes into "stuff". Makers discover their individuality and are proud to display it. Makers aren't scared to explore their curiosity and problem solve their way through creation, gifting the world with something completely unique to themselves.
Want to be a maker? Cool. We can help.
Current Workshops
Ways to learn and connect
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Come take a sewing workshop or artisan workshop with us! The classes are small and the projects are things you actually want to own!
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We host great parties for kids and adults - birthdays and beyond! We can pick your project and fabric so it’s totally customized!
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Come join me every 2nd Friday of the month from 6-8:30 p.m. at Give Rise Studio for a fun, laid back stitch social! We have tables and outlets for sewing machines, and comfy couches for hand stitching and knitting/crocheting!
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A couple times a year, I team up with Give Rise Studio to offer the community a free craft swap. How does it work?
You bring us all that craft supplies that you never use, or inherited
We organize it and you can come take whatever you want, for free!
Leftover supplies gets donated back into the community, so you can feel good about parting with your old stuff!
Join my mailing list to stay up to date on the swap dates/drop off times!
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Would you like to sew at home, but can't buy a machine right now? Or maybe you just want to do one small project? I have a collection of sewing machines that the community has gifted me, that you can borrow for free! Check them out!
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Head over to the bottom of the Community Page to see a list of current community projects you can help out with!
The studio is located close to downtown Frederick, MD
182 Thomas Johnson Drive,
#204L
Frederick, MD 21702
Questions? hello@sewhillary.com
Still unsure about learning to sew?
Let me talk you through a few common sewing hang-ups.
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Do you have a closet full of clothing that you never wear? Do you surround yourself in things that don't really mean anything to you? Are you spending a ton of money trying to keep up with the latest trends? Do you know who's making your stuff and where it's going when you're done with it? Do you feel like most of the clothing you buy mostly fits, but not quite? Have you ever tried on something that felt divine but you couldn't afford it?
Yup. That's why. When you make something, not only are you getting to pick the style, materials, color, and fit - but the pride that comes along with wearing a handmade piece of clothing or using a handmade item makes you hold on to it longer, appreciate it, and create less waste.
And yes, you can add pockets to anything.
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Sewing is one of those old fashioned skills that we equate to a time when everything was a bit slower. Kids, and adults these days, don't have a lot of patience. We're always in a hurry to see results, get our very short good feeling fix, then move on to the next thing that grabs our attention (thank you, internet) Sewing is all about grounding us back to the reality that a real person made all of the best things in our lives, and that that process took time. Sometimes, waiting and patience is necessary to create the things we want, and if we are patient and put care into what we do, the feel good feeling lasts way longer. Once your child realizes that they can't sew before threading the needle, can't cut fabric before marking it, can't make shortcuts while stitching two pieces of fabric together and so on, they'll slowly but surely start learn how to be more patient.
Once a child creates something tangible, all by themselves, through a patient process-oh the sense of accomplishment! Confidence is one of the main benefits of sewing. Your child will make mistakes along the way and learn that they aren't a huge deal, learn how to easily fix them, and move on. When finished, they will have a custom item that they created on their own, and will be reminded of that every time they use it. Sewing is a skill your child can take into the world with them, they will notice everything around them that has been sewn at some point in time, and daydream about the unlimited projects and ideas they can create themselves. I know this, because I was that child.
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No, I promise, it's really really not. Sewing is a hobby you can take at any pace - do you really like sewing zipper pouches? Well, that's all you ever have to do. Odds are, you'll start wanting to experiment and learn new little techniques, and before you know it, you'll move up to bigger bags with pockets, and then one day you'll try making a shirt out of curiosity and BAM. You now sew your own clothes. Like any craft, it takes practice. HOWEVER, you can choose how you practice.
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You obviously haven't checked out sewing patterns, especially indie pattern designers. They keep up with or are ahead of current trends.
Next time you buy something from Target, or anywhere you buy your stuff, really take a look at it. It's SOOOO imperfect. Obviously no one is noticing those details, and you now have the power to make something better than store bought (and it's not that hard to do...)
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I am someone who notoriously has a track record of trying every single craft out there and losing interest at some point. I. Feel. You. But sewing in particular has always stuck with me - I think it's the variety of projects you can sew that keeps me hooked. Once you learn the basics of sewing you can take that to any type of project - garments, home decor, costumes, kids toys, accessories, and anything else you can dream up. I want to help you find what sticks with you.
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That’s ok! You can use mine! Or, you can borrow one and take it home for free from my sewing machine library!
Do you have a creative quilting project you’d like to make, but need help getting it started (or finished)? Do you have a tricky piecing or quilting challenge and need a little hands-on help to figure it out? Join us for one or both of two small-group sessions to work on your own creative quilting project.
Techniques we can cover together (will vary by session and interest of each person/group):
Hand and machine applique
Hand Embroidery
Hand and machine piecing
Hand and machine quilting
Mark-making
*If there’s another specific technique not listed that you’re keen to explore, please ask!! It may be something that’s a better fit for a private lesson.
You will have access to:
A rainbow of solid fabric scraps
A variety of hand quilting thread and embroidery floss colors
Marking tools including inktense pencils, fabric markers, and more
Sewing machines and a wide range of sewing notions and tools
Books and other resources
All materials above are included; there may be additional materials we can provide, but if there is something highly specific to your project, you may need to supply that.
Examples of projects students have worked on in Creative Quilting Studio:
Art quilt top with hand applique and hand embroidery
Raw-edge fusible applique design of a favorite sculpture
Small patchwork quilt for a furry friend (completed in three sessions!)
Patchwork design for a baby quilt border
Improv-pieced quilt blocks
Improv curved piecing for an original baby quilt design
14+, teens and adults welcome
Julia Triman is a quilter and quilting teacher fascinated with the creative process and the philosophy of creativity. She shares her quilts and creativity stories at quiltingjulia.com.