Sewing is an important skill to learn, for both children and adults. It teaches kids to become more self sufficient and is a great creative outlet for parents and children. Whether you’re darning a sock, patching a knee, or creating an originally designed piece of clothing, you will save money and add some style to your wardrobe.
Here are some places around Toronto with sewing lessons for kids. Most offer private lessons as well as classes and workshops, and prices vary.
Beach Sewing Machine Centre
Beach Sewing Machine Centre offers classes on sewing for beginners, teaching them the basics of the sewing machine, inserting zippers, and types of seams. They also teach how to build on the basics, creating items like; a pencil case, an apron, boxer shorts, and quilted shopping bags. Kids and adults, alike, can also learn how to read, cut and sew a pattern and make some basic clothes.
Their classes are intimate, with a maximum of three students per classes, so each student gets lots of one-on-one attention.
365 Kingston Rd., Toronto
416-491-4431
Ages 8 and up
The Green Seam Sewing School
The Irish Design House in Leslieville hosts its own in-house sewing and design school teaching the basics of machine sewing, pattern drafting and garment construction. With a maximum of five people per class, each student (working on their own individual project) will receive one-on-one attention.
Fashion designer Sinead Clarke passes along her knowledge of fabric and will help students create and construct their own clothing in the Sewing for Beginners class and help them work a serger in the Serging Workshop, among other classes. They also have a sewing camp for kids and teens in summer.
756 Queen St. E., Toronto
416-565-5505
hi@theirishdesignhouse.com
Ages 6 and up
The Make Den Sewing Studio
The Make Den has studios in Bloordale and Regent Park, where they offer a number of sewing, quilting, leather tooling, and screen printing courses and workshops. Classes for youth ages 11–15 and kids ages 8–11 are scheduled by request, for groups of three to six students.
The Make Den will introduce children and teens to the world of sewing by focusing on learning the basics of hand and machine sewing, and creating some small projects of their own.
Two locations:
1244 Bloor St. W., Toronto
410 Dundas St. E., Toronto
info@themadeden.com
416-669-6836
Ages 8 and up
Red Thread Design
Devorah Miller, designer and creator of Red Thread Design, offers classes for children and adults in her home in the Danforth/East York neighbourhood. Classes focus on embroidery, hand and machine sewing, quilting, and more.
Students create toys, stuffies, bags, clothing, and home decor during the weekend afternoon classes, and Devorah also offers customized classes for groups.
Private home in the Danforth/East York
devorah@redthreaddesign.ca
Ages 8 and up
Sew Be It Studio
Sew Be It Studio offers sewing classes for all skill levels for tweens (ages 8–11), teens (ages 12–16), and adults. The Eglinton West studio was founded by a theatre costumer in 2005 who became partners with a fashion designer a couple of years later. They want to “empower [students] with the knowledge to appreciate all things handmade”.
Classes include Fashion Lab and Beginners Sewing for Tweens and Apparel Construction and Introduction to Fashion Sewing for teens.
243 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto
info@sewbeitstudio.com
416-488-1607
Ages 8 and up
Sewing Workshop
Nehzat Houshan has taught sewing skills to students as young as age 4 in her North York home studio. She teaches pattern making, garment sewing from start to finish, fine finishing, alteration, curtain making and accessories and provides all needed sewing equipment.
Providing private lessons or group lessons for a maximum of five people, Nehzat provides a personalized, supportive environment for her students. She asks that a parent accompany children younger than 13, but is open to all ages.
6 Shouldice Court, North York
647-949-2333
sewingworkshoptoronto@gmail.com
Ages 4 and up (children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult)
Sewing World
Sewing World, at Danforth and Victoria Park, has a variety of class options available, including their most popular class Sewing For Beginners. They also offer Garment Construction in four levels (making clothing ranging from skirts or dresses to tailored shirts and Chanel jackets), an Alteration Course, and Master Your Serger 101.
With a maximum of four or five students per class, Sewing World offers a Kids’ Class for ages 8 and up, teaching them sewing machine skills, how to read a pattern, and garment assembly. And kids leave with a completed article of clothing!
Danforth Mall, 3003 Danforth Ave., Unit 23, Toronto
416-699-7119
Ages 8 and up
The Workroom
Lindsay at The Workroom notes that although their classes are more geared toward adults, they have had students as young as age 7. “As long as they are comfortable being in class with adults, it’s fine,” she says. And there are a number of different classes to choose from, whatever the age of the participant.
From Sewing Machine Essentials and Beginner Pattern Sewing to various quilting workshops, specific garment classes, and finishing courses, this Parkdale studio offers numerous options for all skill levels and interest.
1267 Queen St. W., Toronto
416-534-5305
All ages (kids share class time with adults)
