The Sewing Place

Resources => Courses & Classes => Topic started by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 14:06:15 PM

Title: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 14:06:15 PM
So I understand the concept of Craftsy. I have never joined until yesterday as I quilt and I'm competent and I have lots of books. But I was reading through some of the older P&Q threads and Imi mentioned the free BOM lessons. So I dutifully signed up and got a bunch of free BOM classes. (Not learned anything yet, except how slow and repetitive some of the teachers are! And that there are places in America that you send your top to and they quilt it for you! But that's the fun bit!).

Jo recommended a sheers clothing class, but it is £££ and not in a sale :( and I mentioned a Suzy Ferrer class was half price but still ££s and discovered that there are lots of craftsy offers and to wait for stuff to be cheap.

I have also seen (because I like to use VPNs on buying sites that are based outside of the UK) that the exchange rate is off. Costs $20 and £19 and change. That is not the exchange rate! Little bit annoying, as paying more than the US counterparts!

So I'm half watching random bits, and an email popped in. "New member surprise!" Buy your first class with a discount. Apparently I can pick ANY COURSE and pay $19.99 for it.

Now I'm a sucker for an ANY offer and immediately want to go for one of the crazy expensive Quilting with kit classes (even though I generally hate the fabrics) that are $200+ and testing out their ANY CLASS offer ;)

However, has anyone seen any good classes that are very expensive and great if you have the mulah but that I could never buy without it being heavily discounted?

Are there any course recommendations? Garment or quilting (beginner to garments, but I learn quickly and have a good head for understanding complicated things with good examples and explanations).

I think my initial ANY? Hah! plan will probably fail as I'm not USA and I bet the $200+ classes don't count ;)
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Acorn on June 07, 2017, 14:19:13 PM
I can't answer any of your questions, but if the answers you get are good I might follow in your footsteps!
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 14:23:12 PM
I really want to test it out on either of these:

https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/kits/moonglow-quilt-kit/34057 (https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/kits/moonglow-quilt-kit/34057)

https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/kits/new-moon-quilt-kit/53181 (https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/kits/new-moon-quilt-kit/53181)

with full kit and backing :ninja: would feel almost like stealing if they let me have it at $19.99! pahaha.

Still haven't seen any T&Cs saying no... I might add one to the basket and see what it says!

And the basket says no :( I still don't see where it fails to fulfil but maybe being new to Craftsy I'm not looking in the right place. Or maybe the software say is you click something over $300 then you can't buy it for under $20 hahaha.

Most of the quilting classes are things I know how to do already :/ so it'll need to be a garment one
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Jo on June 07, 2017, 14:33:27 PM
Syrinx, I think you need to add VAT to the 19.99$.
For me the price is in USD, don't know why.
The links you posted are not classes, they are kits - just templates and fabric :) The offer is valid only for classes.
Craftsy is also a fabrics & notions shop.
I have about 32 classes (first time I count them...boy, am I a junkie!). I'll tell you all my favourites, but you can check some other oppinions here: http://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,308.0.html
 - Suzy Furrer's pattern drafting classes I have them all and they are great! If you are interested in pattern drafting and making your own patterns, they are excellent. I have learned a lot on pattern manipulation and altering and I really think she's a great teacher.
- Sara Alm's Mastering construction series is made as a companion to Suzy's drafting classes. There is good info, especially if you are a beginner when it comes to making clothes. I have learned a lot of techniques. Sara's really fast to reply to questions and generally very helpful.
- Beverly Johnsons bra and swimsuit classes very, very good if you want to make your own bras/swimwear.
- Paul Gallo's draping classes pretty good if you are interested in draping.
Other individual classes I have:
- Lynda Maynard's Sew the Perfect Fit don't particularly like the method she is using as it is very hard to do on yourself so don't recommend unless you plan to fit someone else or you have a fitting buddy.
- Janaelle Mackay Mix and Match Clutch Bag Techniques loads of fun and I actually made really pretty clutches!
- Don Morin Making Leather Bags also fun and lots of good info on sewing with leather.
- Laura Volpintesta Drawing Fashion Flats I actually drew stuff! And it turned out pretty well considering I'm really not able to draw.
- Alison Smith Couture Dressmaking Techniques Alison Smith is a good teacher and her classes have lots of great info. But I REALLY REALLY dislike the fact that she has too many classes covering one issue (as in for jackets you have to buy 3 classes to make a jacket from start to finish, while Pam howard's class for example teaches you all the things in one class).
- Steffani Lincecum Pattern Drafting from ready to wear Good teacher, good info if you are interested in copying rtw designs.
- Sara Alm Sewing with sheers good, although I find she spends a bit too much time on teaching pintucks and other fabric maipulation. But if you have no experience with sheers she has some very good techniques explained.
- Janet Pray Sew Better, Sew Faster Meh. I knew most of the techniques from watching a [u=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zyTaEfo-J0]free video of Margaret Islander's[/u] on youtube.
Also have Pam Howard's Modern jacket techniques and Linda Lee's Underneath it all but haven't fully watched them yet.

If you need more info on any of the above, I'm happy to help :)
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 14:39:31 PM
Ah that would explain it! Is there a way of getting the pattern for the first I linked to? Looks like a nice mix of FPP and normal P&Q and I haven't done some of those stars....

There are only 2 P&Q classes I like the look of but they are both around $40 when not on sale so not worth wasting such a handy discount on!
FMQ https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/classes/ultimate-free-motion-quilting/35442 (https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/classes/ultimate-free-motion-quilting/35442)
Wholecloth https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/classes/machine-quilting-wholecloth-quilts/35614 (https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/classes/machine-quilting-wholecloth-quilts/35614)

The first three you mentioned sound good. I'm not sure which would be worth going for with a handy discount though - probably the one least in sales or most expensive?
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Jo on June 07, 2017, 14:45:51 PM
Wichever one you want, really :) They have sales very often and usually you can pick the class you want.
The first three sewrier I mentioned are about 15 classes :)
Suzy Furrer's series has 8 or 9 classes. The most beginner friendly is the Skirts class. But if you have a bit of pattern knowledge you can buy the Bodice sloper and use it to make a skirt sloper as well. The other ones are a bit more advanced.
Sara Alm's Foundation Techniques is a good place to start if you are new to garment making.
From Beverly's series the first one is Sewing Bras: Construction & Fit.


Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 14:52:14 PM
Sarah Alm has a facings and linings course! But it's only £24 (in the sale) and the bodice sloper is what I'd go for as I don't really do skirts...and it's £29, the bra one is less than the discount ;)

hmmmmmmmm Maybe I'll use the discount on the sloper, buy the facings in the sale at £24 and the bra one... but not sure I have £50 to spend!

Maybe I ask the partner to buy me the bra one :p he's always complaining about poor quality and design haha. Then he can buy me fabrics like lace and silk as he has a job that comes with money at the end of the day!
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Jo on June 07, 2017, 15:00:03 PM
Oh don't I understand  :D When there's a Craftsy sale going on (especially the "all classes at 19.99") I'm like a rabbit on crack :|
If you have the time to play with some muslins, the bodice sloper class is great!
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Acorn on June 07, 2017, 15:14:54 PM
Can the Craftsy classes be downloaded to your computer rather than streamed?  There is no way I could stream an HD video, and even though I hope to have satellite broadband in a few weeks, I will then have to start watching my data usage (no unlimited broadband on satellite).

I'm sure the answer to that is on their website, but my broadband speed is so bad at the moment that it's taking five minutes to load a page, so if anyone on here knows the answer you could save me a whole lot of frustration!
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Jo on June 07, 2017, 15:19:21 PM
Craftsy doesn't allow you to download classes, except on the iPad. But if you use a plugin for your browser (I use video downloader professional), you can download them :)
As long as you don't pass them along, I don't see any problem with it (they don't allow downloads to avoid piracy).
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 15:23:17 PM
I believe you can't download them.

But I do know a workaround for such things (basically you record what's on your screen and save it - it's how youtubers who do games or walkthrough computer simulations for downloading/installing/using certain software show the screen - handy bit of software).

Which is a bit rude, but I guess they don't want people to copy them?

However you can store a lesson on the iOS app apparently.

Haha, well I don't have the £60 odd squids for all three classes so I'll have to have a think. The most essential one for me right now would be the facings and linings, but I'm loathe to waste a discount on £4. Also I was right, they tell me I can have it for £19.13 and I know that $19.99 is £15.45 ish depending on the day at the minute. I have a somewhat worrying obsession with exchange rates and often buy from abroad if the price + import is cheaper than the UK option (so often the case!). Maybe I can moan to them about it...£4 is a lot! It's a whole pack and a half of Gu melt in the middle puddings...
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Jo on June 07, 2017, 15:34:43 PM
As I mentioned above:
19.99$ + VAT for EU customers :) That would be 15.45 + 20% VAT = 18.54 + exchange comission = 19.13. 
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 15:37:45 PM
Ah but you shouldn't have to pay VAT as it comes under teaching and education and that is all VAT freeeeee. I dont mind them adding the 50 odd pence to change currency. But VAT where VAT is unnecessary annoys me.
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Jo on June 07, 2017, 15:43:28 PM
I think it actually files under digital goods. Not sure of the UK regulations, but I know once you sell over a certain amount in a EU country, you have to apply for a VAT number in that country. Maybe you could send them an email?
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Syrinx on June 07, 2017, 15:45:39 PM
Hmm, maybe, and maybe it has to cover everything they sell. I'm just grumbling because I don't have enough money haha!
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Hachi on June 07, 2017, 22:46:28 PM
I second Jo's recommended list. I have many of the classes she listed.

I LOVE Suzy Furrer's classes. So much to learn from her, and her teaching style is clear and concise. All of her classes are worth every penny.

I like Janet Pray's Sew Faster class, especially the Garment Industry Secret class. She's also a good teacher, confident and she knows what she's talking about. I have learned more efficient way to sew (no pin sewing and order of construction).

I also liked Susan Khalje's The Couture Dress class, but it may have been discontinued?

It's neither garment sewing nor quilting, but I liked Annie Unrein's classes. I have travel organizer and backpack class. very pleasant to watch and it's a fun project, too.

One thing I would say is that to pick a class with the coupon code you have, and just wait to buy other classes. Craftsy runs the $19.99 sale all the time and I have not paid more than that for any of the 40 classes I have. They do sometimes run even bigger sale for limited selection of courses (I just got Fast-Track Fitting class for $12.99).

It sucks that you have to pay VAT though.
Title: Re: Craftsy thingies
Post by: Maximum on June 07, 2017, 23:23:34 PM
I also have several Craftsy courses and can recommend Suzy Furrer, Beverley Johnson and Alison Smith.
Their pricing/exchange is strange and if you query it you don't really get a sensible answer! If you buy through the app it used to be about 50p more than using the website but they might have sorted that.
Be careful of imported fabric or patterns as I believe some people have been caught for customs duty and tax (not cheap) and no way of refusing to pay.
Craftsy seem to be having more and more sales lately. Put classes on your wish list and you might get an offer, ignore them for a few months and you get an offer and always remember that they really do refund in full if class is not what you expected.
I have learnt a huge amount from the classes I have. You can add your own notes so you can easily find a particular section and I have downloaded classes onto iPad so I can watch up the garden where the internet doesn't reach. Some tutors speak quite slowly which is soporific but you can speed them up - no need with Suzy Furrer, she cracks on!