ABOUT US

Welcome to The Sewing Studio Online!

Back in September of 2004, The Sewing Studio began as a small class of friends who learned to sew in Founder Denise Wild’s Toronto abode. Our chic sewing school quickly gained momentum, garnered media attention nation-wide, and eventually found a new home in three posh studio locations across the Greater Toronto Area.

The Sewing Studio continues to run sought-after sewing classes in Toronto, and is now global with sewing classes online. The Sewing Studio Online (welcome!) combines the care, attention, and expertise of our in-studio classes with the convenience and practicality of virtual learning.

“Sewing is something that I’ve done and loved my entire life,” says Founder Denise Wild. “I love teaching people how to sew, and it’s really important to me that the experience of learning with us at The Sewing Studio is available to absolutely everyone everywhere.”

“The Sewing Studio Online allows us to incorporate another way of learning for our existing students,” Denise explains, “and also lets us reach new students who are looking to learn how to sew, but who can’t make it to our studios, or who prefer to learn at home on their own time. My team and I have put together The Sewing Studio Online as a virtual sewing destination, and we want everyone to play around and stay a while!”

Denise Wild, Founder

Favourite thing to sew: Dresses! Formal, summer, you name it. I love challenging myself with intricate details and new fabrics, and other times I love a quick, go-to garment that I can sew an hour. The best part is creating a dress for a specific event and only wearing it once.

Superstar sewing secret: Be super meticulous with everything you do while sewing. Don’t cut corners, don’t leave your thread ends long, don’t forget to iron, always finish your seam allowances. Your finished sewing projects will go from good to great! (And use a wrist pin cushion—it’s the best thing ever!)

Katherine Jones, Online Manager

Favourite thing to sew: Fashion reconstruction! I love finding a vintage piece with potential and turning it into a one-of-a-kind! This winter I found a gorgeous coat waiting for new buttons and a faux-fur collar!

Superstar sewing secret: Invest in good scissors and treat them well. There is nothing worse than cutting with bad scissors!

Dawn Wild

Favourite thing to sew:Fleece! It's quick and easy for all types of seam finishes (or you don't even have to finish the seams!), and it's forgiving if you're sewing without a pattern. You can make casual, comfortable pieces or even a dressy peacoat if you find the right fleece.

Superstar sewing secret:Stack cutting. If you need to cut several pieces of fabric from the same pattern piece, you can stack cut them to save time. Place tissue paper on the table, then a single layer of your fabric. Continue alternating tissue paper (it keeps your fabric from shifting) and layers of fabric. Make sure that all of your grainlines and folded edges line up exactly before you start cutting.

Elizabeth Darbyshire

Favourite thing to sew:Bathing suits are my new craze. Now I finally have bottoms that fit me perfectly. I also love whipping up my favourite summer knit skirt—it’s got a yoga-type fold-over waist and it takes me no time!

Superstar sewing secret:An easy way to topstitch your centred zipper is to use a piece of 1/2" scotch tape as a guide. Centre the tape on the seam that has been basted closed—there will be a 1/4" of the tape on either side. Follow the tape’s edge for perfect stitching every time.

Christine Carson

Favourite part of sewing:I have to admit, shopping for fabric is my favorite part of any project. The possibilities are endless!

Superstar sewing secret:Before cutting valuable fabric, sew a sample garment out of inexpensive fabric first—even an old sheet will work. Then you can be certain the project will fit as needed. I did this with the lace for my wedding dress, and boy, was I glad I did!