Customizable Caftan Workshop

Flouncing around in the warm months and lounging about in the colder months …..I am a 356 party caftan girl and you can be too!  The Customizable Caftan Workshop is your official invitation to step into your billowy unbothered era. Whether you’re dreaming of something dramatic for dinner parties or ultra airy for slipping on after your everything-shower, this workshop will help you bring your ideal caftan to life - from first sketch to final stitch.

This 7-week workshop YES SEVEN, is intended to be as roomy and your new favorite frock to help avoid that “I rushed it” ending. We will have time dedicated in the beginning to designing, modifying patterns, and testing out a muslin before we construct a finished garment tailored to your taste and body! Everyone knows this is important to me, and I’ve heard so many of you say you're hungry for this type of instruction! So let’s do it!!

A little secret 🤫: I plan on including these caftans as a made-to-order piece through Hilandel. For now, I’m giving everyone who has been harassing me in the DMs the opportunity to create this goddess-level garment alongside me.

🗓️ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm EST : Wednesday : 10/1
🗓️ 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm EST: Wednesdays : 10/8 — 11/12

[Can’t make this one?! Click here to join the waitlist!]

📍Home Ec NYC
44-02 23rd st #315
Long Island City, NY
11101

I’ve got lots of yummy details for you 🍦!
Tap the headings to get the full scoop 🍨!

We will cover things like:

🪡 Expressing ideas through sketching and planning
🪡 Making and modify patterns based on design goals and body proportions
🪡 Creating and fitting a muslin
🪡 Translating fit corrections from muslin to pattern
🪡 Calculating fabric quantities
🪡 Fabric prep, layout, and cutting for large garments
🪡 Construction techniques for design details and clean finishing

Prerequisite:

🐣 No pattern making experience required, however this is an 💪 intermediate-level sewing class. You must have confident sewing skills and previous experience (with me or one of my approved teachers). If you’re not sure if you meet the prereq - email me to chat this over! If you have never sewn or need a refresher check out [Sewing 101]!

👉Please note: This class is an in person class for adults. If you're interested in virtual classes or classes for kids or teens, get in touch!

What is Included:

🧵 20 hours of instruction, feedback, and troubleshooting
🦜 2 hours of open studio time (see early bird special below)
🦜 1:1 call with me (see early bird special below)
🛠️ Use of sewing machines, serger, basic patternmaking and studio tools
The following materials are a $100+ VALUE!
🖨️ 2 printed copies of the caftan pattern in your size
✏️ Pattern paper and use of pattern making tools
✍️ Templates for sketches and techpack
🧪 Yards of muslin fabric for your test garment

🦜🦜 Early Bird Offer: Register by September 10th and receive:
A free 1:1 call with me! You can use this 30min call in a few ways

• help you get started

• need to miss class and want to chat over homework

• chat between classes about fabric options or sourcing

2 free hours of open studio time. For you to use during the 7 weeks of our workshop. This is a great chance to make progress on your project incase you have to miss class or to dedicate time to a side project. 

This early bird offer is a $67 VALUE!

Class Syllabus

Week 1 – Meet, Measure, Manifest : We’ll say hello, become best friends, take measurements, and dive into dreamy design possibilities. Think sketching, scheming, and starting tech-packs (don’t worry if your like “WTF is a tech pack?!”)

Between Week 1 & Week 2: I’ll print your personalized patterns, and you’ll source fabric for your final garment.

Week 2 – Pattern Modifications: Learn how to modify your base caftan pattern based on your design. We'll walk through key techniques and help you adapt your pattern whether you're going from demure or drama. Pockets? Side slits? Adjustable bits? We ca-ftan do it!

Week 3 - Rough Draft: Cut and sew a test version in muslin to check fit and finalize construction plans. This is your trial run to tweak, adjust, and finesse before committing to cutting your final fabric.

Week 4 – Fabric Commitment Ceremony: We are cutting, we are prepping, we are committing to our final design and fabric.

Week 5 – Let’s Fucking Sewwwwww ( Final Constuction Part I): Let the real sewing begin! You'll start constructing your real-deal final caftan, with plenty of support from me. This is the “it’s actual happening” moment!

Week 6 – Stitch, Please ( Final Construction Part 2): Keep the momentum going as we continue constructing your garment troubleshooting any tricky spots.

Week 7 – Caftans & Champagne or LaCroix ( Final Construction Part 3): We'll finish up, do final fits, celebrate our creations, and maybe even twirl a little. Whether you’re 100% done or 80% there, this is your moment. 

(Please note: this schedule may shift depending on the flow of the group, and what we discover along the way — we’re sewing with intention, not rushing the magic.)

What do I need to bring? 

One week 1 you will just bring yourself, as the workshop progresses we will go over the following things you will need to bring…

• 🧵 3–4 yards of final fabric, depending on size and design mods

• 🧵 Coordinating thread + any special notions or trims you’d like to use

• 🧵 Optional: sketchbook
  

What should I NOT bring?

⛔ Stretch or knit fabrics — this class is designed for woven materials
🫟 Unwashed or soiled fabrics

👉Please note: It will be up to the discretion of the teacher if the materials brought by the student are not appropriate for the project.

Class Size:

Because of the time, energy, and studio space this class requires — as well as the individual attention you’ll receive the class size will be a maximum 8 students ; however, I do require a minimum of 3 students in order to run the workshop. If the class doesn’t meet that minimum, I’ll notify you in advance and offer a full refund or credit toward another class of your choice.

Thanks for understanding that this kind of slow, intentional making needs a community to make it work. 💛

Paying with a credit card? Cool, get those points, girl! You can continue checking out here.

Planning to pay with your debit card? Want to help your girl (me) out? Instead of checking out here, head straight to [Venmo] and  send your payment, along with the name of the workshop in the comments. This helps me avoid transaction fees 😉.

 ⭐️By registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to our "cancellation & late policy, materials & Liability policy."

LATE
It is strongly advised to arrive early. We will need to start promptly and use every minute of our time together to ensure smooth instruction and completion of the project. The group will move through all instructions and steps at the same time. This is not a drop-in style class.

If a student arrives more than 5 minutes late, it is at the discretion of the instructor whether they can join. If a student arrives 10 minutes late, they forfeit their registration fee and space in the class.

If you suspect you will be late, contact HillaryAODell@gmail.com so we know you're on the way and don't assume you are a no-show.

CANCEL
If you need to cancel, please contact HillaryAODell@gmail.com

Class fees are non-refundable.
If you cancel 14 days before the workshop, you can use the credit towards a future workshop or private lesson with Hillary if booked within 60 days of the original class.

If you cancel 7 or fewer days before the event, you will not receive a credit.

It's strongly advised that if you need to cancel within 7 days of the event to gift your place in the class to a friend.

MATERIALS
It is up to the instructor's discretion if the materials brought by the student are appropriate for the project. If a student brings the incorrect materials or forgets them, they can purchase provided materials at the time of class.

LIABILITY
I understand that by participating in this class or workshop, I will be in an environment where various equipment, including but not limited to sewing machines, steam irons, sharp tools like scissors and pins, and other crafting instruments, will be used by myself and others. The use of such tools carries an inherent risk of injury.

By attending this class or workshop, I voluntarily accept all associated risks. I confirm that I am physically capable of using the necessary equipment without the need for constant supervision. I acknowledge that this Accident Waiver and Release of Liability form will be utilized by Hillary O'Dell, Hilandel LLC and its affiliates for any class, workshop, or event in which I participate, and it will govern my conduct and responsibilities throughout the event.

As a condition of my registration or ticket purchase to attend this event, I agree to the following on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and any legal representatives: (A) I waive, release, and discharge any and all liability from the following individuals and entities: Hillary O'Dell, Hilandel LLC, as well as their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives, along with event sponsors and volunteers. (B) I agree to indemnify and hold harmless all individuals and entities listed above from any and all claims or liabilities arising from my actions during the event, whether brought by other parties or organizations.

I also give my consent to receive medical treatment if necessary in the case of injury, accident, or illness while participating in the event.