Your Custom Text Here
Cat Tope began sewing over twenty years ago when her mom bought a sewing machine and told her that they would learn to sew together. Luckily, when mom found she was a little too busy, Cat persisted. Through time, effort, and a lot of patience, she found a love for sewing, from simple things like elastic band skirts to more complicated projects like late 19th-century bustle dresses. Most of her talents have been shared within the theatre community as she loves making clothes for the individual characters in a show’s story. She is a proud graduate of Kent State University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in costume technology, and is also a graduate of Florida State University with a Master of Fine Arts degree in costume design. Since graduating, she loves teaching students how to sew and beginner pattern making at Denison University. She hopes to inspire students here just as much as she does by teaching various sewing and draping techniques.
Here are her classes:
Have a sewing project that requires a technique you don’t understand or haven’t done in a while? Don’t put it off any longer! We will help you learn the specific technique to sew professional-looking clothing confidently.
You’ll get hands-on help when you arrive, without distractions or pressure to complete a project.
You will be matched with a professional seamstress, and you will practice with them only the techniques you need, such as how to:
Create cuffs, collars, front plackets
Sew in darts, pleats, gathers
Make all kinds of pockets, even ones with flaps and zippers
Make buttons and button holes
Sew in an invisible zipper or standard
Add hooks & eyes, grommets, snaps, and other closures
Make ruffles, flounces, puffs, and bubble hems
Add boning, collar stays, interfacings
Understitch, grade seams, clip curves
Sew seams like flat-felled, French, Hong Kong, cover-stitched
Hand stitch or machine stitch invisible hems on woven or stretch fabrics,
Set in sleeves, add shoulder pads, make a raglan sleeve, bell sleeves
Add linings, inner linings, facings
And learn to work with silky and unstable fabrics, like chiffons, satins, organzas, velvets, gauze, vinyl, and more.
Just list the skills you want to build in the registration, and we will contact you to coordinate dates and times that work for everyone.
Let’s get started!
Great for beginners who know how to use a sewing machine and advanced sewists, too!
$45 an hour
Ages 18 and up
Learn to draft a pattern from an existing garment you love.
Once you register, we will contact you to learn what you'd like to copy and the dates and times you’d like to meet.
Then, we will pair you with the instructor who can best guide you. Your instructor will email you to answer questions and advise which items to bring.
When you arrive at your appointment, you’ll review the item discussed in the emails, and your instructor will explain the process. From there, you’ll learn to draft a flat paper pattern with seam allowances, notches, grainline arrows, and any details from the original garment.
You’ll be able to ask questions, make small changes, and trace along with your teacher as she guides you, if you wish.
You will leave with a paper pattern and your personal notes by the end of the session or sessions, depending on the level of detail in your garment.
Please note: Garment details may require additional time, depending on their complexity and the number of seams.
Adults with knowledge of how to read and sew from a pattern.
$90 for a 2-hour session.
$45 an hour if additional time is reserved.
This is a private class only.
Sign up for a class with one of our engaging sewing instructors, where you can relax and focus on your sewing project. For new sewists who know how to use their machines and confident sewists who want to take their skills to the next level, our One-On-One sessions will help you reach your desired level of sewing skills.
These classes are project-based and are not intended as an introduction to machine sewing.
If you want a class on learning all the functions of your machine, go to this page to register. Or, if you want to create your first sewing project as you learn how to use the straight stitch of your machine, as you try out its primary functions, register here. Both of these classes require two hours to thoroughly grasp the techniques.
Choose the number of hours you need. Not sure? Select “One Hour,” and we can add it as required.
We can help with things like choosing and researching how to execute an idea you have in mind, and learning the steps you need to complete a garment. Or maybe you are halfway done and got stuck on a technique. You could let us help coach you to finish a garment. When you need sewing instruction and guidance to make clothing, a bag, or sew for your home, we are here for you.
Once you register, we will contact you to coordinate a time and date with an instructor specializing in the skill you want to learn.
Ages 18 and up, $45 per hour.
Please email us if you have questions.
Pattern Fitting Session - 2 hours, $80 for dress or tops: NOTICE! Booked until April 2025.
Pattern Fitting Session- 3 hours, $120 for pants, slacks, joggers
To make a great-fitting garment, you must have a great-fitting pattern. Most patterns for tops/dresses are modeled for a person 5'6", 120 lbs, and a B cup. If you don't fit that mold, then you will need a pattern altered.
In this 2-hour session, Gail will take your measurements and tissue fit your selected pattern. I can show you how to add or reduce the cup size and alter between sizes. You will leave with a tissue pattern ready to make a wearable test garment.
For pants or slacks, fitting the crotch curve to your body is so important for a great fit. In this 3-hour session, Martha will take your measurements and discuss changes to your pattern to achieve a great-fitting garment.
There are no set days or times. Once you order the Pattern Fitting Session, we will contact you to set a date and time and to ask for your pattern selection. Bring samples of the fabrics you are interested in using if you wish.
Questions, concerns- email studio@sewinghive.com
Instructor: Gail Kelley or Martha West.
Email: cat.sewinghive@gmail.com