Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Theatre NorthWest hosting summer sewing camps in Prince George

The Theatre NorthWest Costume department is excitedly preparing for the return of this popular program, which will have several updates from last year.
GettyImages-453911793
The only class this summer that is age-based is Sewing for Young Children, which is a beginner class specifically for kids aged 7 – 10 years.  

Sewing Camp is being offered again, this summer, at Theatre NorthWest! Courses for various skill levels will run from July 4 to August 5, and registration is open now!  

The Theatre NorthWest Costume department is excitedly preparing for the return of this popular program, which will have several updates from last year. New projects and completely new courses are in the works. Our courses are designed to be skill based rather than age based – the notable exception being sewing for young children, offered in August.   

In the past, it was common for younger children to be placed in the beginner class and teenagers in the advanced, regardless of experience. This year, though, to better-serve students, registrants are strongly encouraged to select the class that best aligns with their level of sewing experience. Beginners is for anyone with very little to no sewing experience; advanced is for those comfortable with sewing and who are ready for more difficult techniques and complicated projects; and intermediate is for those who fall somewhere in the middle. The only class that is age-based is Sewing for Young Children, which is a beginner class specifically for kids aged 7 – 10 years.  

Students who attended camps in the past are encouraged to move up a level if they feel ready for an additional challenge. If they would rather remain at the same level to gain more confidence, though, they’ll have new projects to try this year, as the courses have been updated.   

In addition to Sewing for Young Children, beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, three entirely new courses are being introduced, this summer. They are upcycling neckties, upcycling old clothes, and dressmaking, which are geared towards experienced/advanced-level sewers.  

Necktie upcycling will be a fun week of incorporating old ties into various new things, including an apron, skirt, tote bag and placemats. Students will also learn how to sew a necktie from scratch, which can be handy for creating thoughtful (and fashionable) gifts. This course might appeal more to adults than children, but all ages are welcome. It runs from July 11 – 15, from 9:00am – noon.  

Upcycling old clothing will explore several DIY fashion trends, many of which are popular with young people on social media. For this course, students will need to bring their own old clothing to be used in the projects. The class will explore multiple ways of modifying clothes, such as turning narrow-leg pants into unique bell-bottoms, adding decorative trim to hems, adding lace inserts to t-shirts, and turning a men’s dress shirt into a stylish women’s top. Students will also make a memory pillow out of garments that are no longer worn, but which carry a special meaning. These projects are suitable for a broad range of folk, including teenage DIY-ers and crafty parents wanting to extend the life of baby and toddler clothes. This course runs from July 4 – 8, from 1:30pm – 4:30pm.  

The third new course is an introduction to dressmaking. For this course, students will need to purchase one of three pre-approved dress patterns and enough fabric for the garment. The class will be guided through the construction process throughout the week. In creating a dress, students will learn how to take proper measurements, follow commercial pattern instructions, and assess and alter the garment’s fit. This course is for any budding clothing designers with the drive to create something beautiful, but who might need help navigating some of the many steps of a large project. This course runs from July 25 – 29, from 9:00am – noon.  

Have any of the new courses sparked your interest? If so, come join a fun, welcoming group and get creative, this summer! Visit tickets.theatrenorthwest.com for additional information and to register. Any questions can be directed to admin@theatrenorthwest.com. Be sure to follow Theatre NorthWest on Instagram (@theatrenorthwestpg), too, for previews of the projects being offered!