Instead of buying new clothes or hiring a tailor to alter her dresses, fashionista Vanessa Ofarril, 33, has decided to learn to sew.

Ofarril, who has her own vintage merchandising business, is taking sewing as an hour-long evening community class at Krop Senior High School in Miami.

``I am learning the basics of making dresses for only $35,'' she said. ``You can't beat that. This will save me money in the long run.''

The idiom ``necessity is the mother of invention'' has never seemed truer than during these harsh economic times. South Florida schools, centers and some stores are addressing the demand by offering courses to help people learn to do things for themselves.

The courses range from sewing and cooking to learning how to be your own personal trainer.

The sewing class that Ofarril attends meets once a week for about 90 minutes for a period of 10 weeks. The total cost of the course is $35, an average of only $3.50 per class.

LEARNING TO COOK

Once a month, a group of students gathers at the University of Miami's Wellness Center for a cooking class. The class is open to UM faculty, students, staff -- and the general public. Participants learn how to prepare a complete meal, from appetizer to entrée to dessert. Cost of the class is $25 for UM students and $35 for others.

Class instructor Lori Modolvan says preparing meals at home can be a healthier and cheaper alternative than dining at restaurants.

``For about $30, you can make enough food to serve four people,'' she said.

Some stores are also offering courses to help customers learn to do for themselves.

Home Depot's ``Know How Center'' provides free classes that show clients how to tile, install an AC unit and repair a toilet.

While most continuing education courses are geared toward learning new skills, others prepare people as they make changes in their lives. Broward College's ``Women and Divorce'' seminar teaches women what they need to know as they consider divorce. The seminar costs $49 and meets on the second Saturday of every month.

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