How to Copy Your Clothes: Pattern Making and Sewing Workshop

Join us for a fun, creative day where you will learn how to copy a garment you already own, make a pattern, and sew a new look in the same style!

All skill levels welcome, with at least some sewing machine experience preffered!

What You'll Learn

• How to understand your garment and it's pieces
• How to copy your garment on to pattern paper and proper labeling
• How to make a sewing pattern and allow for seam allowance
• How to cut fabric from your new pattern
• How to sew your garment together

What You'll Take Home

• A new garment you made from scratch!
• A pattern you can replicate
• Skills that can be replicated to any garment you own!

What to Bring

• Bring a simple garment (like a t-shirt or tank top) to copy so you can finish your garment by the end of the workshop. If the garment has a lot of stretch, you'll need a fabric that has a similar stretch so it can fit your body. We have a variety of fabrics to choose from in the lab, but picking up a fabric beforehand that has the same stretch as your garment is recommened.
• Bring a sewing machine if you have one. There will be a limited amount of sewing machines we can provide to students so choose the approapriate ticket at checkout.
• Bring water and lunch, or you can grab lunch nearby
• Optional: bring a notebook if you'd like to take notes
• Remember: The skills you learn in this workshop can be transferable to almost any garment, so hold off on more complicated pieces for another time when you'll have more time to finish it.

About Your Instructor

Olivia Cueva is a designer and technologist that creates fashion from regenerative bio materials and used, upcycled garments. Her work has been exhibited globally, including the Future Fabrics Expo in London and in WGSN's Consumer Tech Materials Forcast for 2026. She is the co-founder of Oakland Style Lab, a community-driven fashion education program and event space that empowers the East Bay community through accessible, sustainable fashion and sneaker-making education, while demystifying the design and production process.

You can see more of her work at https://www.oliviacueva.co/ and follow her on instagram: @olivia__cueva

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Host or Publisher Oakland Style Lab