WORKSHOP: Sewing Basics for Performers

This workshop takes place on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples. This includes the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ nations. It means a great deal to me to live, perform, and share knowledge on these territories, and to grapple with what it means to be an uninvited ‘guest’. Colonialism permeates our culture, including white queer culture. Including drag. Including burlesque. We need to repair this and promote healing. I believe that art and performance can be ways to work towards that, to ensure true liberation for all of us.
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Are you a drag or burlesque performer wanting to step up your ~lewks~?

Have you tried sewing but patterns seem like they’re written in ancient Greek?

Are you able to put together a costume, but don’t always understand how you got from point A to point B?

This 3-hour workshop will cover:
> > > planning a garment
> > > taking measurements
> > > looking expensive when you’re broke
> > > buying the right fabric to set yourself up for success
> > > understanding the language of patterns
> > > prepping your pattern and fabric for sewing
> > > basics of operating a sewing machine
You do not need to bring anything, BUT if you have a costume you’re working on, a pattern you’re trying to decipher, or even an inspiration picture you want to recreate, please bring it! We will be spending the last hour workshopping and troubleshooting projects together to put our new knowledge into practice.

Each class capped at 7 people to ensure that there is some one-on-one consultation time for each person.

***NEW DATES***
Sunday Sept 29th from 3pm-6pm
Monday Sept 30th from 6pm-9pm

$40 e-transfer to hannahrhoslyn@gmail.com to reserve your spot! If I know you primarily by a stage name, please include that in the e-transfer message.

**Accessibility**
*2 pay-what-you-can spots will be available for each workshop. To access these, send me a message with the amount you are able to pay, no questions asked. I’m a drag queen, I know we’re all broke ????
*The location is my home, near the intersection of Fort and Vancouver. My apartment is up a flight of approximately 25 curved stairs with a waist-height bannister. If there is interest in a session that is more physically accessible, I will schedule another at UVic or the downtown library.
*My home is not scent-free but I won’t use any scents in the 24 hours leading up to the event.
*There will be a variety of seating available, including a couch, padded bench, stools, and an office chair. There are many lamps and curtains over the windows, so the lighting is fairly adjustable. It can get warm in my house during daylight hours, so wear some cool layers underneath!
*If you have other accessibility questions or concerns, please message me or post it on the event discussion!

About Me
Many of you might know me by my drag name, Kim Union. I have been performing for a year and a half, but I actually began as an outlet for sewing and costume design. I’m mostly self-taught, and have studied fashion illustration, patterning, and sewing for over 15 years. I also design and lead workshops in my day-job at UVic, with 10 years of experience.
To see some of my work, just have a look at the event banner photo! Also check out my Instagram, @holykimunion
I’m so excited to bring these skills together to share knowledge with our community 🙂

This workshop is the first in a series. Other topics planned are Costume Sewing Techniques (including finishing and closures) and Costume Design: Practical Fashion Illustration and Pattern Alteration. Other workshops may be added based on interest! If folks have things they want to learn, let me know 🙂

Banner photo credits, left to right: MKM Photography, Liquid Cherry Photography, Sortome Photography (Lau Ren), Tee Elle, Sortome Photography