Sew LA Classes

Classes are a great way to learn how to sew. Many people who are attracted to sewing are visual learners, which means they learn better by watching someone else than by reading a list of instructions. Of course, we welcome all kinds of learners – if you learn by reading perhaps you could come on by and help me with these pattern instructions...

Speaking of patterns, pattern companies generally assume that you know a lot about sewing already, so the instructions included sometimes are not as illuminating as they could be. Taking a few beginning lessons will save you big on time, energy and messed-up fabric!

Our classes are quite small at the moment, with the maximum amount of students being six. So you are sure to get a lot of individual attention!

To register for a class, click here to go to our secure shopping cart. Find your class by description or by date to purchase a seat. When your transaction is complete, you will receive an e-mail confirmation and be routed back here to the Classes page.

If you’d like to see all of our classes at once, check out our monthly calendar for descriptions, dates, times & prices.

If you would like to view a list of the classes we offer with descriptions, click here.

If you would like to sign up for a class in person, feel free to stop by our storefront anytime Tuesday thru Sunday from 11am – 6pm. The storefront accepts cash or checks. You are welcome to call or e-mail first to reserve a class, then pay for it in person. A reservation will be held for 48 hours to give you time to stop in and pay with cash or a check.

Click here for our policies concerning re-scheduling, transfers and late arrivals and for Class FAQ’s. Please note that not all classes are offered at all times. If you’d like to take a class on a day or at a time we don’t offer, don’t hesitate to ask us! Odds are we can accommodate you.

Supplies to bring:

(all supplies can be purchased at Sew LA)

A basic sewing kit which should include...

And of course whatever is listed for your selected class fabric and notions-wise!

The skinny on the classes

Classes are offered at all different times and prices for many different levels of sewing. We try to be really clear about what skills you need to enjoy a particular class – please call us if you have any questions whatsoever! It will be very discouraging if you find yourself in a class that is too hard for you, even though you might really want to make the project. Our staff has mucho experience with this kind of thing, so please trust their judgment. Of course, anyone can sign up for any class they like and we do encourage you to challenge yourself, but we caution you to pay heed to the prerequisites.

Class Times:

All classes start and end on time. Please be prompt! If you use the 5 freeway to get to us, be aware of the rush-hour traffic for evening classes and plan accordingly.

Missing a Class:

If you have to miss a class, you will want to schedule a private lesson to make the class up. We generally build upon skills in all of our classes, so if you miss one you’ll definitely be behind. If the class is offered again within the next three months, you are free to sit in on the class you missed providing that class is not fully booked.

Transfer:

If you have signed up for a class and then suddenly change your mind, you may transfer your class fee to another class up until 5 business days before the first class would have commenced. This gives us enough time to contact a waiting list person so we can offer them your spot. If the second class is less expensive, then you will have a Sew LA store credit for the difference good towards classes, private lessons or Sewlab time. To transfer, call us, e-mail or stop by.

Returns/Refunds:

If you sign up for a class and then can’t make it at all, you will be issued a Sew LA store credit card for the amount of the class (less a $10 fee) good towards another class of your choice, private lessons or machine time in our Sewlab. No cash refunds!

Payment:

You can pay for a class via our shopping cart linked to this website here, or you can call us at 323-301-6645 or e-mail us to reserve a class. A reservation is held for 48 hours so you can drop by the store to pay with cash or a check. You can also just drop in the store to register for a class! Note: returned checks are subject to a $20 fee.

Class Cancellations:

Please register early for classes! We know you are all chomping at the bit to learn how to sew, but if you all wait till the day before to sign up that class will most likely be cancelled. If a class needs to be cancelled, we’ll contact everyone who has signed up beforehand as soon as we know and issue a full refund for that class. But we don’t want to cancel classes, so sign up! Yes siree!