Where To Find Sewing Classes Online
People learn in a variety of different ways. As a matter of fact, there are four basic learning styles – visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Knowing your learning style helps you find sewing classes that will resonate with you. Visual means you learn by seeing or watching. Auditory means you learn by hearing. Reading and writing means you learn by those methods, and kinesthetic is hands-on learning. Most of us are a combination of those and can certainly benefit from the hands-on aspect no matter which style you fall into.
If your learning style is reading and writing, check your local bookstore or Amazon for books related specifically to the sewing craft you want to do. You can also read blogs (Gathering Threads is really informative)!
The internet is a great resource for visual/auditory sewing classes. I believe you can literally learn how to do anything on YouTube. And video conferencing software like Zoom and Skype make personalized lessons an option, too. In this article, we will explore online and in-person sewing classes that will appeal to the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles.
Online Sewing Classes
1. New York Sewing Center (both in-person and online)
The New York Sewing Center offers classes online for beginning and intermediate level sewists and kids and teens. They offer online and in-person classes. While the online classes are group settings, you can also get a FaceTime or Zoom private lesson online for only $60. While some of their classes seem to be on the expensive side (a pillow sewing class is $90), it’s important to check to see what is included. Very often, all patterns and/or supplies are included in the cost!
2. Udemy.com
Udemy.com offers sewing classes for a variety of projects and skill levels. Learn the basics in Sewing 101 and Sewing Patterns 101 or delve into embroidery, pattern design, upholstery, and more. You can start with a tote bag designed for beginners, learn to stitch together jointed stuffed animals, and even learn a variety of garment sewing skills. Keep your eye on Udemy for discounted courses. Without discounts, classes range from about $30 and up. With a discount, you can snag a class seat online for about $15, maybe less!
3. Craftsy.com
Craftsy.com also lets you buy the courses you want in sewing and quilting. A great feature on the Craftsy website is the filter tool under the search bar. Not only can you pick the exact topic you’re interested in, you can also select the price range (and, yes, FREE is one of those). Classes on Craftsy range from free to about $70. You can also buy a membership for less than $100 a year and share it with up to three of your sewing friends.
4. Creativebug
Creativebug.com and the Creativebug app offer a variety of sewing classes. You can sign up for a free week-long trial, then choose easy membership plans that coast as little as $7.95 per month or an annual fee. I always like when there’s a monthly payment option. Usually, the annual fee is a better deal, but it’s only a good deal if you like the product, in this case, sewing classes. I also like this site because it appeals to other creative outlets in addition to sewing, like art, knitting, paper crafts, and jewelry, just to name a few.
5. Crazy Little Projects
Crazylittleprojects.com offers free online sewing classes, and you can sign up for a free sewing project to be emailed to you weekly. If you are new to sewing, be sure to check out their “Best Sewing Machine for Beginners” class before you invest in purchasing one. These online classes walk you through sewing a straight line (it’s tougher than you might think), inserting elastic, zipper installation, and more.
6. Sew It Academy
Sew It Academy is a great place to learn sewing if you also want to design clothing. It is for beginners and those who want to continue advancing their skills. What’s special about Sew It Academy is the ability to target the sewing you want to do. You can focus on womenswear, menswear, both womens & menswear, or children’s apparel. Most classes are a reasonable monthly subscription fee; the children’s apparel class is a one-time fee (still very reasonable).
7. BurdaStyle Academy
BurdaStyle Academy offers sewing classes, too. Their selection is smaller than those previously mentioned, but their costs for many classes are minimal (we’re talking about $3 for a lesson in sewing in a zipper, matching plaids while sewing, marking pleats, etc. There are pricier classes that focus on bigger projects.
8. YouTube: What’s She Creating?
Neci Love Harmon, the host of What’s She Creating gets right to the point in her video tutorials for sewing enthusiasts of all levels. The beginner finds useful how-tos, and the more experienced sewist finds solutions to problems they might encounter in their own projects. One of the things I really love about Neci’s channel is that she uses a variety of sewing machines and helps you learn how to master them. If you’re new to machine sewing, check out her channel sooner rather than later!
9. YouTube: Debbie Shore
Debbie Shore’s YouTube channel offers livestream “Sew-Along” tutorials (and of course you can go back to watch them again later if needed). She teaches a variety of projects – a lot of tote bags and other crafts. If you want classes that leave you with gifts you can give or items you can use, this is a great channel.
10. YouTube: Made to Sew
Made to Sew provides free video tutorials on many of the basic and advanced skills you will need in your sewing. This is a great place for beginners to start because of the how-to basics that the host covers.
11. YouTube: Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping’s YouTube channel has some helpful online sewing tutorials, but they are not easy to find from the GH channel page. For instance, “How to Hem Pants” is wedged in between videos about a Food Network kitchen star and Ryan Reynolds.
Just a note: I did not include Skillshare.com here, although some other bloggers do. They are not included because you cannot browse their class offerings without signing up for a week-long free trial (credit card/PayPal info required) or agreeing to be billed $165 annually.
In-Person Sewing Classes
Obviously, the in-person sewing classes you will have access to depend on your location. Here are a few ideas for finding local sewing lessons.
12. Google
Seriously. Just search “sewing lessons near me” and let the internet work its magic.
13. Sewing Machine Stores
If you have a store nearby that sells sewing machines, ask them. The store where I bought my last machine offers individual training classes on machine use, then offers group project classes in sewing, quilting, and embroidery! If your store doesn’t offer lessons, they can probably put you in touch with someone local who does.
14. Community College
Many community colleges offer classes of local interest. They are not credit-earning classes, so you won’t have to enroll in the college to take them. These are usually evening or weekend classes. Check with your area community college’s student affairs department or library to see what is offered near you.
15. Cooperative Extension Services
There are USDA extension service programs in each of the 50 states in the U.S. Some have offices in each county; others in regions. Check with your local extension service to ask about extension homemaker clubs EHC). EHCs have a long history that begins with the Morrill Act of 1862 which gave federal lands for state agriculture/mechanical colleges to be built. The success of this program led to the 1914 creation of a supplemental grant to educate rural America’s women and children on how to be more modern. If you live in a rural area today, your county may just have an EHC you can join. Some clubs focus on canning or cooking, but there are many sewing and quilting clubs out there.
