At Former + Latter we love denim, and we love sewing Jeans. It is an amazing feeling to slip on a pair of handcrafted jeans that are uniquely yours and we want to share the love.
This workshop is a two-and-a-half day (20 hour) intensive jean sewing extravaganza with none other than Lauren Taylor; professional Tailor, educator, and creator behind the Lladybird blog.
TESTAMONIALS: Hear from some of our past participants!
WHEN: Friday August 8th to Sunday August 10th, 2025 in our brightly lit workshop space in Edmonton. Lunch and snacks are provided throughout the weekend.
DESCRIPTION: The workshop will follow the construction of the Closet Core Ginger Jean Pattern (feminine size 0-32 with three rise options and two leg profiles) and the Thread Theory Quadra (masculine size 26-50 with a medium rise and a straight leg). Both patterns come in a wide size range and are tried and true amongst sewists. Lauren will have sample sizes of the Ginger Jeans available for participants to try on before starting their own pair. Please note, participants can choose to work with another pattern, however we will not have samples available.
The workshop covers all the steps and details to create a professional pair of jeans, including choosing the right size, basic* fitting adjustments, tips for accurate topstitching, serger finishing, an easy zipper fly installation and all that beautiful hardware!
Participants will need to purchase the pattern separately, purchase the Workshop kit**, and bring their own sewing machines***.
We have printed patterns available online and in store for the Ginger Jean size 0-20 (high and low rise).
PDF pattern for the Ginger Jean Midrise size 0-20 or Ginger Jean size 14-32 are available through the Closet Core Website
PDF pattern for the Quadra Jeans are available through the Thread Theory Website
PRICE: $590
SCHEDULE: Friday (2-6pm): Sewists will be welcomed to our bright workshop and start the weekend by working with Lauren to choose the right size, and cut out their jeans! Stay afterwards for refreshments and a chance to meet your fellow sewists.
Saturday (10-6): Start sewing! Lunch and afternoon snacks will be provided. A dinner reservation for the group will be booked for those who’d like a chance to continue visiting with their fellow classmates.
Sunday (10-6): Keep sewing! Lunch and afternoon snacks will be provided. Sewists will be finishing up their jeans and are welcome to work away until 6pm.
OTHER INFO: Prior sewing experience is required to take this class. Sewists must be comfortable threading and operating a sewing machine and have sewn at least one garment pattern. This class is best suited for intermediate sewers or adventurous beginners with a little experience under their belt.
Minimum age is 18 years.
Please ensure your sewing machine is in good working order. We request that you bring all your machine accessories and manual.
*Please note that this is not a fit class. The focus of this workshop is jeans construction. We will not go over fit beyond very basic fitting adjustments at the beginning of class.
**Closer to the workshop date, we will be offering a Workshop kit that includes denim and all notions required for the class (sewing thread, topstitching thread, zipper, interfacing, buttons, rivets, needles, and pocket lining) at a 20% discount (approximately $80).
***If you are coming from out of town and would like to make arrangements to use one of our machines, please contact us at formerandlatterfabrics@gmail.com
Key Information
Lauren Taylor is a sewing enthusiast and rad sewing instructor based in Nashville, TN. 100% self-taught, Lauren has been sewing for most of her life and makes anything and everything! In addition to teaching fun sewing workshops, Lauren also works professionally as a tailor for a local fine suiting store, as well as on set wardrobe +
alterations for commercials, tour wardrobes, and red carpet events in the country music industry. Lauren can be found at LLADYBIRD.com and at @LLADYBIRD on Instagram.
Payment in full is required to book a spot in our workshop and due to the limited number of spaces available registration is non-refundable. Discounts cannot be applied to classes. Up to two weeks in advance of the workshop, participation can be transferred to another sewist.
All participants will be contacted by email two to three weeks prior to the workshop with all the necessary details for the weekend.
The workshop is located in our Brick and Mortar retail store and we ask all participants to be respectful of the space, equipment, other participants and shoppers.
Lockable storage room is available for sewists to store machines and personal supplies overnight.
The workshop will require the use of sewing machines, pins, needles, irons, cutting tools (scissors and rotary cutters), etc. By your participation in any class, workshop, lesson, or workspace usage, you agree to release and hold harmless Former and Latter Fabrics, it’s instructors, and employees from any and all claims and liability related to any accident that may arise as a result.