Teaches online

Teaches all skill levels

Age: 18-75

Teaching since 1990

MS American History

About Cathy G.

5.0

(18)

I teach sewing, mostly, but also design clothing and knitwear. I can drape and draft patterns, hand spin and weave, embroider, make lace, style wigs, and am an all-around crafty gal. I graduated with a degree in American Studies from Mount Holyoke College. My background includes over 20 years of building theatrical costumes, wardrobing Broadway shows and regional productions, restoring and reproducing museum textiles and costumes, and dressing the runway shows of NY Fashion Week. I believe we are what we make and glitter is evil. I live in New York City with her husband and their very spoiled Tibetan Spaniel mix Ollie. I am currently working toward the completion of a Certificate in the Appraisal of Fine and Decorative Arts from NYU. I am highly conscientious, focused, and competent, and well as thoroughly charming.

Instructor details

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ReviewsWrite a review

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5.0

18 Reviews

Linda Weiss

Teacher's studio

Today was my first lesson with Cathy and it was also my first time using Take Lessons. Everything went smoothly in signing up for a lesson. The lesson with Cathy went great!. Cathy is very experienced at sewing, she's also patient, warm, helpful and she explained things in detail which was very helpful. I liked that she welcomed my questions. She also made excellent suggestions, which was explained so that I learned from them. I like that Cathy had a very organized and practical approach to teaching and discussed my project in advance. I came to Cathy with plans to sew my mother a cape. I bought a Simplicity pattern along with a beautiful sheer fabric with embroidered butterflies on it, as well as a lining and fur trim that needed Cathy's profession attention. I learned the best way to sew this together. This was a challenging project and since I never worked with such delicate fabric I felt I needed Cathy's help. I learned quite a lot and it was great to see this great fabric transformed into an amazingly stunning cape. I have some finishing touches to complete, but after it's ready to go. I'm really looking forward to seeing my mother's reaction! I think she's going to love it! I would definitely take classes in the future with Cathy and I recommend her to anyone that would like to learn to sew from beginners to advanced. You'll learn a lot and will enjoy it in the process.

Posted Apr 11, 2018

Gianna Delgadillo

Teacher's studio

I've only taken one class with Kathy and I can't wait to go back! She was very thorough, answered all my questions, and really knew how to break down sewing in a way that anyone can learn! I highly recommend and will definitely be going back.

Posted Apr 3, 2018

Andrea

Student's home

I am a complete sewing beginner and taking lessons with Cathy has been great! We discussed an appropriate project to start and she's overseeing the whole process. I get to see and practice the way a professional does it. These are insights the pattern book doesn't give you. I am picking up best practices from the get go and setting a strong foundation and I also get a sense of accomplishment as I have the accountability to move forward. Cathy is patient and pleasant. It's easy to see she knows her stuff. I have no reason to stop taking lessons with her.

Posted Mar 1, 2018

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Experience

Museum Interpreter/Demonstration Artisan

Apr, 2000 - Sep, 2010

Hancock Shaker Village

Museum Interpreter: provided historical and contemporary interpretation for visitors. Gave specialized tours(up to 1 1/2 hours) during the Fall/Winter Guided Season and for Special Events. Demonstration Artisan: Traditional New England & Shaker Cooking, Fiber Artist (spinning, knitting, sewing, fine needlework) Workshop Instructor: created and taught workshops for adults and children, such as: Shaker Pie Baking, Woolen Whimsies and Sawdust Dolls and Shaker Cooky Baking for Parents and Children

Costumer/Wardrobe Supervisor/Teaching Artist

May, 2004 - Sep, 2010

Shakespeare & Company

Costume Designer, Design Assistant, First Hand, Stitcher, Wardrobe Supervisor Skills: Intermediate Draping and Patterning, Advanced Stitching, Men's and Women's Tailoring, Finishing Techniques(closures/hems/trims), Millinery and Hat-Making, Wig Dressing and Maintenance, General Wardrobe Teaching Artist: Costume Designer for The Fall Festival of Shakespeare, a 12-week immersive experience for Berkshire high schools, ending with a whirlwind of 10 full-length performances in 4 days on Shakespeare & Company’s main stage.

Education

BA American Studies

Sep, 1985 - May, 1989

Mount Holyoke College

MS American History

Sep, 1989 - Jun, 1991

Utah State University

Affiliations

Theatrical Wardrobe Union

Dec, 2011

The Theatrical Wardrobe Attendants in New York City first organized in 1919 as a federal union affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. In 1942, this union was granted a charter to become part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada. In 1982 the word “attendants” was dropped from the name and the Local was issued a new charter as “Theatrical Wardrobe Union, Local 764 of the I.A.T.S.E”. The Local currently has over 1,200 members working in all aspects of costume and wardrobe work in the New York City area in virtually every major live entertainment venue in the city, as well as on television shows and motion pictures shooting within a 50-mile radius of Columbus Circle.

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