In stitches
Classes for the design-inclined.

By Heather Smith

SEWING IS ONE of those skills you tend not to realize you need until it's far too late. Far too late always occurs roughly three days before Halloween, when your multi-articulated vision of costume glory shatters as you realize that you, crazy diamond that you are, cannot even thread the stupid bobbin on your neighbor's sewing machine. Now you're going to have three yards of purple latex and faux egret feathers lying on the floor of your apartment until you dispiritedly set it out on the sidewalk in a cardboard box labeled "Free Latex."

"If only I was David Bowie circa 1970," you say with a sigh, "and had Angela Bowie to sew all my outfits for me." Well, it's a sad truth that we can't all be married to Angela Bowie (at least not all at the same time). Thus, we must be of good courage and educate ourselves in the ways of spangly off-the-shoulder space-hussy outfits. The following San Francisco and East Bay establishments offer workshops and classes that will set you on your way. Unless otherwise specified, sewing machines and some materials are provided; fabric generally isn't. Call or check Web sites for more details.

The Apparel Arts School is for people with serious plans to enter the fashion industry. No pounding the treadle suggestively, no foolin' around. That said, the inexperienced are welcome: classes range from abject beginner to couturier. The course list includes offerings such as fashion drawing, manufacturing clothing in large quantities, and recognizing quality textiles; the average class size is eight people; and four three-hour classes costs $190 (except couture sewing, which is $945). 2325 Third St., Ste. 225, S.F. (415) 436-9738. www.apparel-arts.com.

Through its extended-education program, California College of the Arts offers a few sewing courses at its San Francisco and Oakland campuses, mostly during the summer, in the evenings and on weekends. Courses range from one-day workshops to multisession classes, and recent educational offerings included a class on steaming your own cloche hat. The average size is 12 students, and the average price is $130. 1111 Eighth St., S.F.; 5212 Broadway, Oakl. (510) 594-3710, www.cca.edu.

City College of San Francisco comes highly recommended by many an aspiring drag performer in terms of sheer economy. A semester is usually about $54 for California residents, making these the cheapest sewing classes in the city and perfect for people who have more time than money. Relevant courses are in the Fashion Department and include everything from pattern design to lingerie to upholstery. Classes are held at various CCSF locations, and the average size is 30 students. Shorter workshops are available through the continuing-education department. (415) 239-3285, www.ccsf.edu.

At the other end of the class-size spectrum are Joseph's Sewing Studio's extremely popular two-person classes. Joseph does his utmost to fit people in, but prepare to do time on the waiting list. In the course of a three-session class, students learn about basic sewing and interpreting clothing patterns to fit themselves. After the first round of classes ($120), students may sign up for drop-ins ($65 a month). 4529 18th St., S.F. (415) 565-0980, www.josephs-studio.com.

Shannon Hird, costumer and designer of Muse handbags, teaches basic to advanced sewing as well as how to start and publicize your own fashion design company at her Muse Sewing Workshops. Students bring machines and sewing supplies. The average class size is eight, and prices range from $60 to $100. Register online. Accordion Studio, 382 Bayshore Blvd., S.F. www.museonline.net.

The San Francisco Sewing Workshop teaches everything from simple mending to couturier-level sewing. Subjects in between include Japanese shibori dyeing and antique ribbonry, and there are courses for children. For persons with Bowie-like aspirations, it must be noted that the charming woman who works the front desk is named Ziggy. The maximum class size is 10, and prices range wildly from $35 to $950. 2010 Balboa, S.F. (415) 221-7397, www.thesewingworkshop.com.

Clothing shop Wee Scotty does double duty as a fashion institute for young people who want nothing more than to focus their prepubescent energies on making pajamas out of fake fur. The average class size is six, and owner Lynn Gallagher, who designs most of the inventory, promises "fashion shows with bagpipes." Classes are $175 to $250. 2266 Union, S.F. (415) 345-9200, www.weescotty.com.

East Bay

Classes at sewing machine retailer Sew Images range from beginner to advanced, including a "Camp Sew-a-Lot" for children. The average size is nine, and prices range from $25 to $175. A three-hour class is included with the purchase of a sewing machine. 4172 Piedmont, Oakl. (510) 601-8739, www.sewimages.com.

Independently owned fabric store Stonemountain and Daughter is run by a family that's been in the industry for four generations. While Stonemountain specializes in classes for beginners, there's an array of affordable courses for intermediate and advanced sewers as well as kids. The average class size is six, and prices work out to about $10 an hour. 2518 Shattuck, Berk. (510) 845-6106, www.stonemountainfabric.com.