Industrial Sewing: Make Your Own Tote, August 8 - 10, 2025, Washington, DC
If you are looking for the three-day HAND STITCHED leather bag workshop, Aug 16-18, tickets for that workshop are being sold via Three Little Birds Sewing Co.
In this adult small group jam-packed-three-day workshop, you will learn the basics of industrial sewing and bag construction while you make your own tote. This workshop is ideal for makers and crafters who are curious about industrial walking-foot machines, want to refine their bag-making skills, seek to learn more about incorporating leather and zippers into tote bags, or just want to make a cool bag and have a fun and unique experience.
To take this workshop you need to have basic sewing skills (thread a machine, wind a bobbin, sew a mostly-accurate straight line, change a needle). If you do not currently have basic sewing skills, please reach out before you purchase a ticket to discuss how you can work on your own to prepare for the workshop.
This workshop is supply inclusive, and you will be provided with leather for straps, bag bottom and external pocket, your choice of waxed or un-waxed canvas for the bag exterior, heavy unwaxed cotton canvas for lining, webbing for finishing, and hardware. The only things you will need to provide are tools for cutting, thread snips, a small ruler or hem gauge, a container of binder clips or sewing clips, pins, and safety glasses/eye protection. If you would prefer to bring all of your own supplies and materials, use code MYSUPPLIES and it will take $100 off the ticket cost and Katie will reach out with supply information.
Each day will include a meal break, and Katie will be present to guide you, answer questions, and troubleshoot as needed.
Friday, August 8th, Day One:
Span of day: 1 pm to 7 pm
This day is to get acquainted with the equipment and studio, learn the basics of safely using industrial sewing machines, and work on adjusting your pattern to fit your needs. (this day can be optional for people who can’t escape the office, please reach out to discuss)
Saturday, August 9th, Day Two:
Span of day: 1 pm to 7 pm, with the option to come early and work independently during the Brookland Farmers’ Market while the studio is open to the public.
This day is the main sewing and cutting day and is to cut and piece and do the majority of the construction for your bag.
Sunday, August 10th, Day Three:
Span of day: 11 am to 5 pm, with the possible option to come earlier, if needed.
This day is a finishing day and is planned to be the day that all the pieces come together and straps and zippers are added to your bag. At the end of the class we will have a group photo and N/A toast to all the hard work and learning.
Supplies and Materials Provided:
All fabric, thread, and leather (brown leather, and slate canvas, please reach out about different canvas colors as it will depend on availability of fabric and coordinating webbing for finishing)
All hardware and zippers will be supplied (high-quality solid brass hardware and YKK zippers)
A basic pattern, and pattern paper to make changes to the pattern
Basic leather working tools
There will be two industrial walking foot machines for shared use
There will be two heavy-duty domestic machines for shared use
There will be one serger for shared use
There will be snacks and water/soda/coffee/tea provided, and there are a variety of restaurants and coffee nearby
You Provide:
Rotary cutter or very sharp scissors for cutting leather and canvas
Thread snips
Small ruler (a 1”x 6” is perfect) or hem gauge
Small binder clips or sewing clips
Pins for sewing (optional, if you don’t like using clips for things, these will get bent)
Safety glasses or goggles
Your lunch (there are nearby restaurants)
Workshop Location:
Amend + Adapt Studio in The Arts Walk
716 Monroe St NE
Artist Studio #10
Washington, DC 20017
Disclaimers and information:
-This workshop includes industrial sewing as well as the use of mallets and may not be appropriate (your discretion) for people with sensitivities to noise. Headphones or earplugs are welcome.
-During the workshop students will need to work both independently and in cooperation with other students to share space and machines.
-This workshop will include periods of standing and may not be appropriate (your discretion) for people who do not feel capable of working for a long day of manual tasks. You set your pace and take breaks as needed.
-Workshop tickets are non-refundable, however they are transferrable between guests and you can gift or sell your ticket to someone else if you cannot make it to the class.
-Students who appear intoxicated or heavily hungover and/or who cannot or will not follow safety instructions will not be allowed to participate in the workshop and will not be given a refund. This workshop is fun, but we are using serious equipment.
Got a question? Email Katie
If you are looking for the three-day HAND STITCHED leather bag workshop, Aug 16-18, tickets for that workshop are being sold via Three Little Birds Sewing Co.
In this adult small group jam-packed-three-day workshop, you will learn the basics of industrial sewing and bag construction while you make your own tote. This workshop is ideal for makers and crafters who are curious about industrial walking-foot machines, want to refine their bag-making skills, seek to learn more about incorporating leather and zippers into tote bags, or just want to make a cool bag and have a fun and unique experience.
To take this workshop you need to have basic sewing skills (thread a machine, wind a bobbin, sew a mostly-accurate straight line, change a needle). If you do not currently have basic sewing skills, please reach out before you purchase a ticket to discuss how you can work on your own to prepare for the workshop.
This workshop is supply inclusive, and you will be provided with leather for straps, bag bottom and external pocket, your choice of waxed or un-waxed canvas for the bag exterior, heavy unwaxed cotton canvas for lining, webbing for finishing, and hardware. The only things you will need to provide are tools for cutting, thread snips, a small ruler or hem gauge, a container of binder clips or sewing clips, pins, and safety glasses/eye protection. If you would prefer to bring all of your own supplies and materials, use code MYSUPPLIES and it will take $100 off the ticket cost and Katie will reach out with supply information.
Each day will include a meal break, and Katie will be present to guide you, answer questions, and troubleshoot as needed.
Friday, August 8th, Day One:
Span of day: 1 pm to 7 pm
This day is to get acquainted with the equipment and studio, learn the basics of safely using industrial sewing machines, and work on adjusting your pattern to fit your needs. (this day can be optional for people who can’t escape the office, please reach out to discuss)
Saturday, August 9th, Day Two:
Span of day: 1 pm to 7 pm, with the option to come early and work independently during the Brookland Farmers’ Market while the studio is open to the public.
This day is the main sewing and cutting day and is to cut and piece and do the majority of the construction for your bag.
Sunday, August 10th, Day Three:
Span of day: 11 am to 5 pm, with the possible option to come earlier, if needed.
This day is a finishing day and is planned to be the day that all the pieces come together and straps and zippers are added to your bag. At the end of the class we will have a group photo and N/A toast to all the hard work and learning.
Supplies and Materials Provided:
All fabric, thread, and leather (brown leather, and slate canvas, please reach out about different canvas colors as it will depend on availability of fabric and coordinating webbing for finishing)
All hardware and zippers will be supplied (high-quality solid brass hardware and YKK zippers)
A basic pattern, and pattern paper to make changes to the pattern
Basic leather working tools
There will be two industrial walking foot machines for shared use
There will be two heavy-duty domestic machines for shared use
There will be one serger for shared use
There will be snacks and water/soda/coffee/tea provided, and there are a variety of restaurants and coffee nearby
You Provide:
Rotary cutter or very sharp scissors for cutting leather and canvas
Thread snips
Small ruler (a 1”x 6” is perfect) or hem gauge
Small binder clips or sewing clips
Pins for sewing (optional, if you don’t like using clips for things, these will get bent)
Safety glasses or goggles
Your lunch (there are nearby restaurants)
Workshop Location:
Amend + Adapt Studio in The Arts Walk
716 Monroe St NE
Artist Studio #10
Washington, DC 20017
Disclaimers and information:
-This workshop includes industrial sewing as well as the use of mallets and may not be appropriate (your discretion) for people with sensitivities to noise. Headphones or earplugs are welcome.
-During the workshop students will need to work both independently and in cooperation with other students to share space and machines.
-This workshop will include periods of standing and may not be appropriate (your discretion) for people who do not feel capable of working for a long day of manual tasks. You set your pace and take breaks as needed.
-Workshop tickets are non-refundable, however they are transferrable between guests and you can gift or sell your ticket to someone else if you cannot make it to the class.
-Students who appear intoxicated or heavily hungover and/or who cannot or will not follow safety instructions will not be allowed to participate in the workshop and will not be given a refund. This workshop is fun, but we are using serious equipment.
Got a question? Email Katie
If you are looking for the three-day HAND STITCHED leather bag workshop, Aug 16-18, tickets for that workshop are being sold via Three Little Birds Sewing Co.
In this adult small group jam-packed-three-day workshop, you will learn the basics of industrial sewing and bag construction while you make your own tote. This workshop is ideal for makers and crafters who are curious about industrial walking-foot machines, want to refine their bag-making skills, seek to learn more about incorporating leather and zippers into tote bags, or just want to make a cool bag and have a fun and unique experience.
To take this workshop you need to have basic sewing skills (thread a machine, wind a bobbin, sew a mostly-accurate straight line, change a needle). If you do not currently have basic sewing skills, please reach out before you purchase a ticket to discuss how you can work on your own to prepare for the workshop.
This workshop is supply inclusive, and you will be provided with leather for straps, bag bottom and external pocket, your choice of waxed or un-waxed canvas for the bag exterior, heavy unwaxed cotton canvas for lining, webbing for finishing, and hardware. The only things you will need to provide are tools for cutting, thread snips, a small ruler or hem gauge, a container of binder clips or sewing clips, pins, and safety glasses/eye protection. If you would prefer to bring all of your own supplies and materials, use code MYSUPPLIES and it will take $100 off the ticket cost and Katie will reach out with supply information.
Each day will include a meal break, and Katie will be present to guide you, answer questions, and troubleshoot as needed.
Friday, August 8th, Day One:
Span of day: 1 pm to 7 pm
This day is to get acquainted with the equipment and studio, learn the basics of safely using industrial sewing machines, and work on adjusting your pattern to fit your needs. (this day can be optional for people who can’t escape the office, please reach out to discuss)
Saturday, August 9th, Day Two:
Span of day: 1 pm to 7 pm, with the option to come early and work independently during the Brookland Farmers’ Market while the studio is open to the public.
This day is the main sewing and cutting day and is to cut and piece and do the majority of the construction for your bag.
Sunday, August 10th, Day Three:
Span of day: 11 am to 5 pm, with the possible option to come earlier, if needed.
This day is a finishing day and is planned to be the day that all the pieces come together and straps and zippers are added to your bag. At the end of the class we will have a group photo and N/A toast to all the hard work and learning.
Supplies and Materials Provided:
All fabric, thread, and leather (brown leather, and slate canvas, please reach out about different canvas colors as it will depend on availability of fabric and coordinating webbing for finishing)
All hardware and zippers will be supplied (high-quality solid brass hardware and YKK zippers)
A basic pattern, and pattern paper to make changes to the pattern
Basic leather working tools
There will be two industrial walking foot machines for shared use
There will be two heavy-duty domestic machines for shared use
There will be one serger for shared use
There will be snacks and water/soda/coffee/tea provided, and there are a variety of restaurants and coffee nearby
You Provide:
Rotary cutter or very sharp scissors for cutting leather and canvas
Thread snips
Small ruler (a 1”x 6” is perfect) or hem gauge
Small binder clips or sewing clips
Pins for sewing (optional, if you don’t like using clips for things, these will get bent)
Safety glasses or goggles
Your lunch (there are nearby restaurants)
Workshop Location:
Amend + Adapt Studio in The Arts Walk
716 Monroe St NE
Artist Studio #10
Washington, DC 20017
Disclaimers and information:
-This workshop includes industrial sewing as well as the use of mallets and may not be appropriate (your discretion) for people with sensitivities to noise. Headphones or earplugs are welcome.
-During the workshop students will need to work both independently and in cooperation with other students to share space and machines.
-This workshop will include periods of standing and may not be appropriate (your discretion) for people who do not feel capable of working for a long day of manual tasks. You set your pace and take breaks as needed.
-Workshop tickets are non-refundable, however they are transferrable between guests and you can gift or sell your ticket to someone else if you cannot make it to the class.
-Students who appear intoxicated or heavily hungover and/or who cannot or will not follow safety instructions will not be allowed to participate in the workshop and will not be given a refund. This workshop is fun, but we are using serious equipment.
Got a question? Email Katie