The Crooked Hem

I’m thrilled to announce that I’m teaching this summer! In July, I’ll return to the Slow Fashion sewing retreat in Maine, hosted by Samantha Hoyt, aka A Gathering of Stitches.

This year I’ll be joined by my friend and mentor, Ruth Collins, to co-teach a workshop all about fitting pants, my favorite subject. If you’ve enjoyed my YouTube content on Top Down Center Out fitting, then this workshop will be a deep dive into many of the aspects introduced in those videos. We’ll go a bit deeper into each topic, and you’ll get personalized advice from Ruth and me as you fit your own pair of pants for the workshop. It’s a great opportunity to learn Top Down Center Out straight from the source, as Ruth created this method and has revolutionized the way to think about fitting.

This time around, we’ll be fitting the Fremantle pants by Elbe textiles. This popular pattern is a great summer pant with a unisex design. It’s got a relaxed fit with an elastic waistband and slightly tapered leg. The Fremantle pants are a summer wardrobe staple for me, and they are a great pattern to learn the fundamentals of Top Down Center Out.

The retreat spans a full week, so aside from the fitting workshop, you’ll also enjoy two other sessions focused on garment sewing. Christine Haynes will lead a skill-building workshop on constructing zipper flys and pant closures, and Jessica Marquez will lead a refashioning workshop.

The retreat will be held from July 7-13, 2025. All the details are here, and registration opens on March 2 so sign up for Sam’s newsletter if you want to grab a spot (scholarships are here, applications are due by Feb 25, 2025).

It’s hard to describe how it feels to be at one of Sam’s retreats, but I am already looking forward to being back in Maine. As I’ve written before, these retreats are a fully immersive experience; they give us a respite from daily life and a chance to slow down, focus on sewing, and enjoy the company of kindred spirits.

I hope to see you in class this year!