FAQs

Wondering what your skill level is?

Beginner

Workshops rated ‘beginner’ assume only basic sewing skills and minimal experience. You should be able to sew straight seams (keeping a consistent seam allowance), but you will probably not have completed many projects, and have yet to make a bag.

 Confident Beginner

You have completed several simple bag projects (i.e. pouches, totes) and are reasonably comfortable following bag patterns. You will probably be familiar with some of the terminology most commonly used in bag making and instructions and feel ready to try different techniques such as installing zippers, adding straps and hardware. You may have done some of these things already, but perhaps not enough to feel fully confident in them.

Intermediate

You are sewing far more confidently, quickly and consistently than when you first started bag making. You are less intimidated by zippers, pockets and top stitching and don’t feel apprehensive about taking on more challenging projects. You may have a good idea of how pattern pieces are likely to work together, even if you sometimes need instruction for detailed steps. You may have worked with glue, double-sided tape, edge paint as well as more challenging materials such as vinyl, cork or even leather.

Advanced

Bag making is probably second nature to you by now, and you’ll have tried many techniques enough times that you wouldn’t need much instruction. You may be well familiar with pattern alteration and feel confident that you could handle trickier projects with more niche techniques, such as structured bags and advanced leather working. You are familiar with stabilizers and their multiple uses; your top stitching is refined and consistent and you are comfortable with the use and manipulation of you industrial sewing machine. This includes knowledge of tension adjustments, proper thread to needle application and general trouble-shooting issues.

 

  

How do I find out when a workshop will open?

Subscribe to receive our email at the bottom of any page here on the website. Once you subscribe, you will receive a confirmation email, notifying you that you have subscribed to receive emails from The Bag Makers Workshop. Please make sure to check your spam and/or promotions folder for these emails the first time. Then add us to your contacts and change your settings in your email to ensure you receive our emails in your inbox.

How do I register for a workshop?

Once registration opens, just add the workshop you are interested in to your cart. Then simply pay using your preferred method of payment. Once you become a member of the private Facebook group for the workshop, you will be prompted to complete the registration form that can be found at the top of the page.

How do I find out if I am eligible for a workshop?

Each workshop will have a ‘Requirements’ section listed. Confirm that you meet those requirements prior to registering.

 

Do I have to own an industrial sewing machine to attend a workshop?

In most cases, no. But you must know the capabilities of your sewing machine in order to have the best outcome. If an industrial machine is required for a workshop, this will be indicated in the ‘Requirements’ section for each workshop.

 

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept PayPal and most major credit cards through Shopify.

 

Can I pay by check?

Unfortunately, we no longer accept checks.

 

Can I cancel after paying for the workshop?

Please see terms and conditions for our policy on refunds and transfers. 

 

Where do I find the pattern and supplies list?

Once you have registered and paid for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation email containing the pattern pieces, supplies list, as well as a link to join the private Facebook group created specifically for each workshop. These items will also be posted in the private group.

 

What is the private Facebook group for?

This is where you can post comments, pictures of your project and ask questions to the instructor. It’s a great way to meet the other bag makers joining you in the workshop. But it is also where you will find prep videos for the workshop project and any other pertinent information. Lastly, you will find a live stream of the workshop in this group, in case you are unable to join the Zoom session.

 

Will the workshop be recorded?

Yes. Not only will you have instant access to raw footage of each session in the private Facebook group, but you will also be given access to the edited versions on our private YouTube channel. A link will be sent to you in an email when the videos are loaded and ready for viewing.

 

I have never used Zoom before. How do I join the workshop via Zoom?

Zoom is super easy to use, but you must download the app first. Also, please note that although you can view the Zoom meeting on your phone, in most cases it does not allow you to use all the features Zoom offers.

You will be sent a link to join Zoom within a few days of the workshop for which you are registered. Once you join, we can walk you through how to use all the features Zoom offers.

 

Get the Zoom App

 

Once you join, we can walk you through how to use all the features Zoom offers. We also recommend watching these Zoom tutorials:

How to Download & Update Zoom

 

How to Join a Zoom Meeting

How to Test Your Audio Settings