About Us

Sewing machine classes for children and adults in the Portsmouth and Southsea area.

All materials are supplied for the children's classes, although we are happy to work with the individual child on a project of their own choosing. The classes are small to ensure each student has their 'own' machine to work on during the session.

However with our adult classes we understand that you will have your own ideas of what you would like to make and therefore the class is very much about you making what interests you, under the guidance of our tutor.



Carol is a very experienced tutor with over 30 years of making and designing her own clothes as well as making designer dresses for all occasions.



Classes are currently held on Monday, Thursday, Friday evenings and Saturday mornings at Victory Business Centre, in a large well lit airy room. The pictures and Video clips really do not do it justice; many students have commented how much better the rooms look in person.



Please see our Courses and Workshop page for more information about future classes.



No experience is necessary, complete beginners very welcome.



If you've always wanted to learn but never got round to it, now is the time!

Adult Sewing Class

Our adult sewing class is aimed at the complete beginner and those looking to gain more confidence. The group is small to allow everyone to have their own machine during the class, although you are very welcome to bring your own machine along.

Initially you will start with a few of our projects but then it is for you to choose your own patterns and materials. You will then work on the project under the guidance of our tutor. Group projects are also undertaken for the group to learn a particular skill.

Sewing Club for Children

Do you ever feel our children are growing up in an age where they can understand and work the most sophisticated pieces of technical equipment, produce a perfect power point presentation and gain excessively high scores on Xbox but at the expense of life's practical skills? They may be able to beat Darth Vader on Star Wars but can they sew on a button?



It used to be that sewing was taught in schools or at least by a parent or grandparent, but it now seems that a whole generation are missing out on this creative ability.

The Sew What! Sewing Club, run by Carol Cunningham for childern and young people aged 6 & over, aims to redress the balance by allowing them the opportunity to learn a new practical skill. The club teaches sewing by hand and then on the sewing machine, in a fun and easy way, with many exciting things to make. It's not just clothes - cool and funky cushions, bags, toys and decorations being just a few of the hundreds of possibilities.

The small classes, there is a maximum of 8 children per class, enable the children to progress from small pin cushions and bags to more sophisticated items like a fully lined Halloween fancy dress costume. The children enjoy the challenge of the more difficult pieces and the skills they have gained. There is always a great sense of achievement with the finished item.

Use of sewing machines and equipment in a bright and airy studion (a bit like an internet cafe), with help on hand. We also provide sewing lessons for children and adults