Seams you’ve got a budding fashionista who wants to get those little hands on some needles and pins. With the fashion district just around the corner and all the fabric they could ever dream of for those doll dresses and superhero capes, sewing classes are calling out to your mini designers. Here are our favorite spots were your future Project Runway star can sharpen their sewing skills and those fabric shears.
photo credit: Sew Creative Cafe’s Facebook page
Sew Creative Cafe
With a real passion for getting the younger crowd crafting, Sew Creative Cafe offers ongoing (so you can get started any time, for as many or few classes as you like) weekly classes in sewing, quilting, knitting and crochet for kids ages 6 & up. The classes are taught in a non-competitive way, allowing all the students to work on their own projects and encouraging learning at each student’s own pace, including how to fix mistakes and learn from them. Single one-hour and two-hour classes are offered as well as weekly summer camps for the creative camper. Prices range from $23/hour to $300/weekly sessions.
1726 Aviation Blvd.
Redondo Beach
310-376-0065
Online: sewcreativecafe.com
photo credit: Cheryl Fudge’s Facebook page
Cheryl Fudge
If your mini fashionistas are just starting to get their feet wet and aren’t too sure about the knitty-gritty of sewing and operating a sewing machine, give Cheryl Fudge a try, where everyone becomes a designer. The Open Design Studio lets you design anything from hair accessories to infinity scarves and they’ll handle the difficult part of sewing for you. They also offer a Doll Clothing class where students choose the pattern style for their American Girl doll and learn hand sewing skills. Don’t be surprised if you see a movie star’s kid bobbin along here… Other programs offered include the Summer Fashion Camp, Birthday Parties and Drop-Off Fashion Programs where you dine while your kids design. Prices range from $30/hour to $350/weekly sessions.
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica
310-393-3333
Online: cherylfudge.com
photo credit: The Unincorporated Life’s Facebook page
The Unincorporated Life
The Unincorporated Life means serious business here for the hard-core fashion fans. For kids ages 6-12, the Fashion Design Class is the real deal, giving students complete access to their entire studio where a professional design team of fashion and graphic designers, writers, and photographers will assist them along the way. From creating a vision board and selecting the perfect designer fabric to conquering the basics of sewing and making exactly what your crafty designer sketched out, the results are amazing since they retain a 4:1 student/teacher ratio. Individual private lessons, birthday packages and a Fashion Design Camp that rivals that of the actual Project Runway are offered as well. Prices range from $200 to $1,200.
1150 North Western Ave.
Hollywood
323-655-0515
Online: theunincorporatedlife.com
photo credit: Tanner’s Sewing and Vacuum Center’s Facebook page
Many of the following sewing classes teach kids to use sewing machines and fabric scissors and are catered towards slightly older kids, but if your kiddo has a real interest and affinity, speak with the instructors as most will let dedicated younger kids attend.
Tanner’s Sewing and Vacuum Center
With a variety of sewing classes your kids can really sink their needles into, Tanner’s Sewing and Vacuum Center offers three-hour sewing classes on alternating Saturdays with themes like American Girl Doll or Tea Party for kids ages 8 & up. Little sewers will walk away with their own pillow-cases to sleep on at night or cute pajamas for their next slumber party. Three-day camps are also offered throughout the summer. Saturday classes are between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., so bring a snack or lunch and wear closed-toe shoes.
6230 West 87th St.
Westchester
310-670-2429
Online: tannersewandvac.com
Sew Modern
Sew Modern lives up to its name with a beautiful storefront and modern fabric and patterns for your little DIYer to choose from. During the regular school year, their Kids Sewing Series for kids ages 8 & up teach about the sewing machine, safety, fabric, cutting, pinning and sewing straight lines all while making some cool projects like scarves, tote bags and pillowcases. They also offer week-long camps throughout the summer including Project Funway, Quilt Camp or Slumber Party Kids Mini Camp. Prices range from $170 to $475, all materials provided.
10921 West Pico Blvd.
West LA
310-446-4397
Online: sewmodern.com
photo credit: Shaerie M via Yelp
Sew L.A.
For the hipsters ages 8 & up, Sew L.A. is the place to be. They’ve got the latest and hippest fabric choices one can find outside of the LA fabric district. An After School Sewing for Kids & Teens! class is offered during the school year for students of all levels to pursue various sewing projects including sewing garments, bags, accessories, costumes and gifts, plus block printing, weaving and embroidery. They also offer 4-hour Project Workshops open to all levels where you can work on any project you wish with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Week-long Kids Sewing Camps are offered throughout the summer. Prices range from $65 (4-hour session) to $275, all materials provided except for the Project Workshops.
3153 Glendale Blvd.
Atwater Village
Online: sew-la.com
photo credit: courtesy of Sew Cranky
Sew Cranky
Although not offering regular weekly classes, Sew Cranky is a traveling road show of antique hand crank sewing machines. They do fairs, festivals and art workshops throughout southern California and young sewers who can’t wait to get their hands on a sewing machine can get a taste of them now at various Sew Cranky events.
Sew Cranky
818-606-0065
Online: sewcranky.com
Is there a sewing class that your DIYer can’t live without? Have we missed any? Let us know!
— Judy Park
