Course Description: Sew It Yourself Youth Camp

Sew It Yourself aims to be so fun! In this introduction to sewing, students will make their own pajama pants as they learn all about using a sewing machine: how to thread it, what in the world a bobbin is, and what all those dials and knobs do. Basics of reading a sewing pattern, cutting out a garment, finishing seams, applying elastic, and hemming are among the skills to be covered. By the end of the class, students will have their very own me-made PJ pants, as well as a custom-fitted tissue paper pattern they can bring home and use to make more pants, and printed instructions for the project.
A basic sewing toolkit to use during class and to take home will also be provided to every student. Fabric for the project will be available for students to choose from, or students may bring their own. If bringing their own, students will need three yards of flannel or quilting-weight cotton at least 42" wide - it will need to be prewashed.
Students are tasked with bringing a working sewing machine to class - be sure the machine is functioning and has a bobbin case and bobbin, power cord, and pedal. Please bring the manual, too, if available. Ages 10-15.

Course Details: (No seats currently available, may add to waitlist)

Schedule:

Every day, starting on 08/11/25 and ending on 08/14/25

Times:

09:00am-12:00pm PDT

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Price:

Class Price : $239.00

Additional Course Information

Students need to bring a working sewing machine to class - be sure the machine is functioning and has a bobbin case and bobbin, power cord, and pedal. Please bring the manual, too, if available.
Please make sure your child(ren) are fed before camp begins. They are welcome to bring snacks from home.

Instructors

Name

Additional Resources

Danielle Thalman

Biography: Danielle Thalman was taught how to embroider flowers on handkerchiefs as a young girl, but pivoted to making "custom" garments with her hand-sewing needle and fabric scraps at age 6. She began using her mother's old black Singer sewing machine--without permission or supervision--at age nine, and shortly afterwards produced her first (somewhat) wearable garment. Junior High brought formal instruction from a beloved Home Economics teacher and then her first own machine, a Kenmore that she still has. After studying Journalism in college, Danielle worked as a reporter at a community newspaper in Northern California. There she met her husband Mark, a photographer and avid outdoorsman. They moved to Southern Oregon with their young daughter in 1996, and Danielle embarked on a career in public school teaching. While she has climbed and flyfished extensively in the West, her love of the outdoors has always been balanced with quiet time inside learning more about sewing and other textile pursuits, like hand dyeing and screen printing.Danielle sews custom bags for the Central Oregon based business, "Rhino Skin Solutions," as well as making artsy chalk bags sold in climbing gyms. She also quilts. But she remains primarily a garment sewist, making everything from her own jeans, t-shirts and swimwear to jackets, flannel shirts, leotards, leggings, socks, hats, long underwear and even leather shoes. After retiring in 2020, Danielle and her husband moved to country property north of Redmond and spent the pandemic fixing up a home with plenty of hobby space. Sewing has always been about connection for Thalman, who delights in sewing sessions with her daughter, niece and friends. So it was only natural that after the isolation of the pandemic, Danielle met up with a local group, Central Oregon Serger and Sewing Machine Rescue-Rehab-Rehome. There she found her niche fixing sergers, learning as she went along and gaining a rich sense of purpose and camaraderie working with the other volunteers in the group and members of the community."The project not only keeps machines out of the landfill, it gives people the opportunity to reuse and recycle textiles and minimize the purchase of wasteful garments with short life spans. On top of that, the creativity of sewing is, for many, a way to replenish our personal reserves," said Thalman.While she has owned and used sergers for more than 40 years, repairing them has inspired an understanding and appreciation for the machines that Thalman is excited to share.

Facility Detail

COCC Redmond Campus - Building 1

RDM1 105

2248 SE College Loop

Redmond, OR 97756

Cancellation Policy

Students must cancel by contacting our office via phone: (541) 383-7270 or email: ceinfo@cocc.edu. Cancellations received 5 days prior to the start of the class will receive a full refund. Full refunds are also issued for classes cancelled by COCC. Refunds will be issued back to your card or in the form of a check and mailed within two weeks of the cancellation date if paid by check or cash. Failure to participate in a course or program does not result in a refund. Exceptions to the general refund policy are noted in the course descriptions on our website and in the printed schedule. If you have any questions, please call us at (541) 383-7270.