Footscray, Melbourne

classes: Sewing and Embroidery • Beading • Textiles • Jewellery Making

4.9 (45)

4k followers

Teaching sewing skills that will last a lifetime. Learn to sew and mend with knowledgable, patient teachers in a friendly, inclusive environment. All ages, genders and abilities welcome!

The School of Sewing & Upcycling began in 2015. We set up in a small shop in Buckley Street, Footscray and began to share our love of sewing with you. In 2019, we shifted to our current home right on the border of Footscray and Yarraville – a big, bright and welcoming space where many people come to hone their sewing skills.

In February 2023, Zoe took over the business from Gaye (who still teaches) and in May 2023 moved into new space in Whitehall Street, Footscray.

At SOSU, we believe that sewing is a wonderful life skill and we want to share it with you. Learning how to alter and mend the things that you have as well as learning the skills to create your own gorgeous garments will help you to be more creative and sustainable. We offer a wide range of full and half-day workshops or ongoing courses that will build, refresh or consolidate your sewing skills. We have a great mix of beginner and skilled sewers of all ages learning at our school. We can also arrange private lessons for those that learn better one-on-one. It’s just you and your teacher so that you can really get into that special project.

Classes

Sewing Workshop: Overlocker Basics

4.8 (5)

21 May, 22 Jun

Footscray

1 to 20

$120

Hand Sewing Workshop: Making and Mending Clothes

5.0 (5)

11 May, 30 Jun

Footscray

1 to 30

$90

Sewing Workshop: Essential Sewing Techniques

4.7 (3)

25 May, 6 Jul

Footscray

1 to 8

$120

Sewing Workshop: Machine Basics

5.0 (9)

Sun 21 Jul, 1pm

Footscray

1 to 20

$120

Learn to Sew in a Day Class

5.0 (2)

Sat 6 Jul, 10am

Footscray

1 to 30

$175

Four Week Sewing Course

5.0 (1)

Wed 29 May, 6:30pm

Footscray

1 to 8

$320

Sewing Workshop: Undies for Every Body

5.0 (3)

Sat 1 Jun, 9:30am

Footscray

1 to 10

$120

Jewellery Making and Mending Course: Repair and Recreate

4.0 (2)

Your choice of time

Footscray

6 to 10

$195

A Darn Good Time: Modern Mending Workshop

Your choice of time

Footscray

12 to 30

$210

Patch Party: Modern Mending Workshop

Your choice of time

Footscray

12 to 30

$210

A Little Bit More: Beginners Six Week Course

Your choice of time

Footscray

6 to 8

$500

Kids School Holiday Sewing Workshop

5.0 (2)

8 to 14 years

Your choice of time

Footscray

6 to 10

$150

Beyond Basics: Intro to Garment Making Sewing Course

Your choice of time

Footscray

6 to 8

$550

Sewing Workshop: Fix Your Op Shop Finds

5.0 (9)

Contact for details

Footscray

1 to 8

$125

Gallery

Reviews

(45)

Michelle L Shepherd • May 2024

Such a great class, we enjoyed it so much we’ve signed up for more.

Fíann Clancy • May 2024

Very informative and productive. You learn all the seams and hemming you could want. Definitely recommend for a beginner

Alison Bigg • Apr 2024

Really great class! Highly recommend, very beginner friendly and you feel so accomplished at the end - Peta is a wonderful teacher. Thank you!

Jennifer E Turner • Apr 2024

It wasn't what I expected. I thought it was a pearl restringing course. The teacher was excellent though.

Lisa Phung • Mar 2024

2 ClassBento workshops attended

This workshop was great! Both Peta and Ali were very helpful and it was great to get inspired by others creativity. Wonderfully catered to all sewing levels!

Martine Oderio • Mar 2024

The teachers were super informative and helpful. They were very skilled and knowledgeable. Learned alot about how to alter clothes

Raj Rama • Mar 2024

Gaye was fantastic. She knew her craft and was very patient with us novices. Thank you.

Kim Robinson • Mar 2024

Great teacher- explained everything well and helpful with all our queries. I would highly recommend.

Sandy Tai • Mar 2024

SO MUCH FUN
I went in not knowing anything and came out confident in following a tutorial/instructions.
Jo was a fantastic and patient teacher!
I just had so much fun, feel really good in myself and made some new friends.
I’ve already booked in for another workshop there.
Just brilliant!

Matilda Houlihan • Feb 2024

A great relaxed workshop in a lovely environment! I thought it would take us through different techniques on repairs, but instead it was learning to repair a specific item/s that you had brought in. Still super useful though a little different to what I expected, but I am very happy to be able to wear a dress now that I thought would have to go back to the op shop!

Lena Xiao • Jan 2024

10 ClassBento workshops attended • 7 reviews

I learned some really useful basic sewing skills from this workshop. Now I'm more confident in having a dab at mending my clothes!

Ella Forbes • Jan 2024

14 ClassBento workshops attended • 4 reviews

Great class, I learnt a lot about hand sewing and mending that I didn’t know. Really enjoyed it!

Paul Mariani • Jan 2024

Great class and helped me learn the basics. I highly recommend this class to anyone

Suzi Blackburn • Jan 2024

2 ClassBento workshops attended

A great introduction to sewing for my 11yo. She came home saying she wants to go back and was using all the correct terminology about process, the machine and materials - like a pro. They are now looking forward to the next session! Thanks to the fabulous teachers - loved the class!

Caroline Bell • Jan 2024

Really useful class, Ali and Peta were lovely and knowledgeable. They helped cater to my sewing skill and I was really happy with what I mended.

Noeleen Barton • Jan 2024

Great 3 hours spent in a relaxed comfortable space for the Overlocker Basics class. Zoe was very generous with her time in working with the group and individually when required. Her teaching style is fun and informative. Great tips for when making garments. Came away with samples of my work and a renewed confidence in using my own machine.

Danielle Stefanski • Dec 2023

The upcycle sewing workshop was fabulous! The teachers were so great, full of knowledge and encouragement. And the venue in Footscray is so beautiful.

I learned to make an extra buttonhole in a skirt and reinforce the existing buttonholes which were stretching out of whack because of the fabric.
Then , I learned to take in a t-shirt. It's a technique I can use on some of the other items I brought in to get advice on (but didn't have time to do during the class)

All the projects from class participants were really interesting and I picked up some tips from them as well.

I'll be back for more clothes fixing classes and have already recommended it to my friends.

Emmanuel Toman • Dec 2023

Gaye and Peta were both very lovely and great teachers. There were plenty of machines and tools to go around. I'd never attended a sewing class before and I had a great time and I'm happy with what I got done!

Sumita Biles • Nov 2023

Peta was very friendly and approachable. Great introduction for the absolute beginner. Step by step guide to how the machine works and basic stitching and troubleshooting.
All questions welcomed and she was very happy to come around and give individual tips on our individual machines.
We all got to finish our drawstring bags. Very happy. Would definitely recommend!

Helen Christofi • Nov 2023

Great course Gaye is wonderful and informative. Learnt a lot thank you very much . Highly recommended

Matthew Zhou • Oct 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended

Teacher was very informative. Very accessible because they provided everything you needed. It was in a nice location too.

Michelle Rinaldi • Oct 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended

The teacher was very helpful and patient, it was a great introduction to sewing and would highly recommend this class.

Michelle • Sep 2023

We had Gaye and Ali for the kids sewing class. My 9yr old daughter, Alisha really enjoyed the class, and was so happy with the tote bag they made for the class. Alisha said her favourite part of the class was using the sewing machine.

Emmy Ainslie • Sep 2023

lovely teacher, friendly class, and a really awesome place to work in! I had a great time and learned some really useful skills. I felt confident leaving the class knowing that I’d be able to use what I learned in class for my own personal projects. (attached image is the bag i made!)

Monique Millman • Sep 2023

Zoe was fantastic, knowledgeable and has the patience of a saint.
The sewing school was easy to get to, has great facilities and even a lift!
The machines, threads and fabrics available were wide and great quality.
I was lucky enough to be gifted this class and it was well worth it, I am already looking to book my next class
This class was great for learning to see underwear from beginning to end and it was great to do that surrounded by a group of like minded people.

Giulia Alsazia • Aug 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended

It was an amazing class, the teacher was super sweet and calm. I can only highly recommend! I had difficulties with my machine and she was so supportive. It made feel safe and seen

Sofie Marsden • Aug 2023

Really excellent class! Went from having only the most basic knowledge of the sewing machine to altering/repairing two pieces of clothing that I can now wear! Having two trainers was great as it allowed them to give enough assistance to all of the students.

Edith Liptak • Aug 2023

Danielle was great, very patient explaining a very delicate process
The place was very difficult to find from the drawing of the map it would have helped if I was told it’s the door next to the gym place.
I enjoyed it very much great hobby!

Rochelle Davies • Jul 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews

Gaye was an amazing teacher. She took the time to teach each student and explain step by step all the techniques and stages of the course. The sewing school was easy to find and well laid out.

Nanette McCallum • Jul 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews

Lovely light venue, teacher was awesome and I learned how to use my Overlocker, never having done it before. I now feel confident, understand how the machine works, and I look forward to using it at home. A really enjoyable and satisfying afternoon, very worthwhile.

Jessica Park • Apr 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended

The teacher was great, very knowledgable. I learnt everything I was hoping to, and more! Teacher stayed back to show us how to do a rolled hem which was great, too. Would definitely reccommend :)

Penny Toone • Apr 2023

Such a good class all about reading, understanding and cutting out a pattern. Teacher so experienced and made the hours so interesting and fun. Learnt how to use fabric with minimum waste, how to choose pattern and fabrics and cut the pattern of your choice right up to sewing stage. Day so worthwhile and affordable. Highly recommend.

Laura Thompson • Feb 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews

Jo was fabulous- haven’t stopped experimenting since class! Signing up to the next class now! Highly recommend

Brendan Parsons • Feb 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended

Great value for money, expert teaching and so helpful to have your own machine there. Not only can I operate my machine, I also understand it.

Vibha Somesh • Feb 2023

Wish we had a little more time to cut patterns and principles of pattern cutting could be explained a little more in depth if the classes are 4 instead of 3 hrs

Jenny Collodetti • Feb 2023

Had great fun learning to sew undies. The instructor was patient and knowledgeable and was able to deal with sewists with a wide range of experience and speeds. Lovely light studio with everything you need

Seo Lee • Jan 2023

I went to this class with my friend and it was brilliant. I learnt some really cool tips and tricks for how to hem / measure and cut. As our class was large it was split off into two with two instructors. Gaye is so patient and accommodating, and I can’t wait to enrol into a longer course so I can develop more fundamental skills for sewing. I Brough my own sewing machine but there are plenty available to use if you don’t have one! Thank you for being a wonderful teacher!

Anna Campomizzi • Jan 2023

Great patient teacher Gay. Great workstation Easy location and parking was easy. All went as planned, but she was not rushing through the class, we all got attention when needed.

Jenny Astorino • Dec 2022

2 ClassBento workshops attended

I enjoyed the class very much and I felt that Zoe had exceptional knowledge and made learning simple and fun.

Zoe was lovely and I would recommend this class to anyone/everyone.

Christine Griffiths • Dec 2022

This course was fantastic! Catherine our teacher is knowledgeable and creative. She provided lots of materials to create new fabric out of scraps. The venue was really good, lots of space and light.
This course was excellent value for money, I highly recommended it
The photo below shows my work in progress’s

Colette Deschamps • Dec 2022

Fantastic afternoon- Zoe the teacher was friendly and really helpful. Great little space we will return for more sewing lessons.

Hola Lin • Nov 2022

Teacher is great. So lovely and very experienced. She went through the basic knowledge and all of the information for beginners need to know and not too complicated. Also pass on so many detail and good tips for beginners.
the venue is nice and cozy. Provided all of materials and tools.
I learn few bits of technique I need as a beginner. Makes me feel more confident with my sewing machine after this class.
Thank you very much.

Vivian Farrugia • Nov 2022

Everything was perfect and was well organised. Gay was an excellent teacher who shared a lot of tricks along the way. Venue was comfortable and everything needed was provided. I’m so happy I made a mask! Thank you for looking over my aunties machine Gay, looking forward to seeing you at the next class.

Kerrin Berkhout • Oct 2022

I really enjoyed this class. The instructor was lovely. It's a really good introduction to sewing if you've never touched a sewing machine before.

John Domjan • Oct 2022

Very informative and fun class! Highly recommended and great for that dopamine hit - even successfully sewing a straight line is super rewarding. Well taught and very friendly. Can’t wait to try something else.

School of Sewing and Upcycling

location_on Footscray, Melbourne

local_activity classes: Sewing and Embroidery • Beading • Textiles • Jewellery Making

Reviews

Footscray, Melbourne

classes: Sewing and Embroidery • Beading • Textiles • Jewellery Making