DIY City the mag |

Do you have an itch to try some DIY sewing? Sewing is a survival skill you should know, plus who knows, you might want to try out for Project Runway soon. Ok, maybe not, but you still might want to create some kickin’ outfits that don’t look like what everyone else is wearing. Here are some of the places that you can learn to sew in NYC. Or if you are like some of the indies we met recently, you can teach yourself the DIY way.

Baltic Bazaar
Baltic Bazaar in Brooklyn Heights is a great place to start when it comes to affordable sewing lessons. They offer a variety for those just starting out, to more advanced courses.
It is also a great fabric store for DIYs. They receive donated fabric and other sewing supplies from about 90 design houses. You may have to sort through the upholstery fabric, but you can find great fabric here if you look. They also sell some clothes for you to reconstruct.
balticstreet.org/balticbazaar.html

Brooklyn General Store is one place to try. It is located at 128 Union St. in Columbia Terrace. The closest train is the F at Carroll St. Brooklyn General offers yarn as well as fabric and some basic notions. If you are interested in learning to sew, this would be a good place to start - they offer three basic levels of classes as well as a patternmaking class. Plus there are embroidery and appliqué classes. Much of the fabric for sale is vintage, so you may need to look elsewhere if you are looking for material for sewing clothing. They do offer organic cotton batting and other quilting supplies. If you have taken up felting, you will find beautiful wool felt available in a vast assortment of different colors.

Plus, they have a great blog - brooklyngeneral.com/blog - and an e-mail list so you can find out about upcoming classes, special workshops, and of course everyone’s favorites - sales.
brooklyngeneral.com

If you like to learn even more before you go - read this excellent review at the Knitter’s Review (knittersreview.com). Lela Nargi gives you all the history.

If you are really wanting to dive in and learn to fashion your own wardrobe, then you should certainly check out the courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.). Many of the indies we’ve met have taken classes here. You can enroll for a whole degree program, or take some of their continuing education courses - either way you will surely benefit. fitnyc.edu

Flirt, an indie boutique in Brooklyn, has also expanded to offer sewing classes. The classes are not at their Smith St. location, instead they are at 303 Third Ave. in Brooklyn at their new Home Ec Studio. The owners offer Home Ec is patternmaking, knitting, and sewing classes. They also offer open studio time for using their sewing machines. Check the Web site for the latest details.
flirt-brooklyn.com/classes.html

Etsy also offers sewing classes. You can find out more at their Web site - EtsyLabs.etsy.com. Etsy Labs is Etsy’s studio space, located at 325 Gold Street 6th Floor in Brooklyn. Etsy Labs just had it’s first birthday.

If you live in Queens you might want to check out Sew Time in Bayside. They are located at 78-35B Springfield Blvd, Bayside. They have a large selection of classes, including classes on serging and quilting. Plus they offer a basic class that is open to teens. sewtime.com