“My second tote bag with Brooklyn Stitch Studio, and as the first was very enjoyable. Kate (the owner and instructor) is very friendly and also she is able to explain what we were about to do in very easy terms while performing an actual demostration.
As before, she provided an explanation of the sewing machine and how to let the machine do most of the work. Kate said "let the machine do the work, use your hands 50% less than what you think" (paraphrased). After the demo, again told us to practive using the fabric scraps located in a drawer in the table. After practicing, we selected our inner and outer fabrics, and the fabric to be used as the handle. (While we were deciding on each's fabric choice, Kate told us the during sewing, if a mistake is made, just discard the fabric, get new fabric and start again. It is her way to ensure that everyone just enjoys sewing and leave with a tote bag. The rest of the workshop was spent receiving instruction on a particular step and off to sew. Kate, walked around answering questions, providing help or advice. Instructions on how to sew the exterior, then how to sew on the handle, sewing the interior and then joining the three (3). After that how to pull the exterior out, sewing the along the top to seal everthing together. Last step was inserting rivets to re-inforce the handle.
I recommend Brooklyn Stitch Studio to anyone wishing to get an introduction to sewing.”
“Kate was an awesome person and a wonderful teacher! Everything was clear from start to finish and I liked that the fear of failing was disspelled from the moment I walked in -- Kate made an effort to ensure that this was a safe place to learn, make mistakes, and, most importantly, have fun! I also liked that the class and studio were a smaller size, so there was a lot of freedom to socialize and ask questions. I definitely left feeling like I wanted to continue sewing and learn more. Lastly, the bag turned out amazing, I loved the options of materials that were provided.”
“This was such a fantastic class! I've tried my hand at sewing once or twice and didn't feel very confident before the class, but with Kate's guidance and amazing teaching, I'm genuinely excited to give it another go on my own machine.
The class was well structured with Kate providing a bit of a sewing machine 101 at the beginning, letting us practise on scrap fabric, picking our fabrics for our own tote and then taking us through the process step by step. Kate was there to help and answer any questions throughout, and made the process so clear and simple.
I absolutely love the tote bag I created, and everyone else's looked so good too! Would genuinely recommend if you're a sewing beginner or looking to improve your skills!”
“The tote bag workshop was very enjoyable. Kate who was leading the workshop is very friendly and has an energetic personality. Kate began with an explanation of the sewing machine we'd be using, paying particular attention to how the speed of the machine is controlled, so very little chance of sewing errors.
First we were given scraps of fabric to get used to the machine and when felt comfortable, chose our fabrics for exterior and interior. After selection, Kate explained what to do as far as constructing the tote, and as each student completed one step, she explained the next to that student(s). Kate addressed everyone at once on a step, and then repeated the same instructions to us individually when we finished the prior step.
Kate was the perfect instructor as she walked around the studio and encouraged when necessary and praised also when deservant, and as I stated previously, repeated instructions to each person when required.
I would recommend Brooklyn Stitch Studio for tote bag making and any of the other sewing crafts offered.”
