Vancouver Sewing Classes

I had such a wonderful time taking sewing classes with Chris and Stanley. They are so lovely, talented, funny and overall wonderful people to be around. I look forward to taking more classes with them, I’ve learned so much and I don’t want to stop! I want to be as good as they are one day! Don’t bother with overpriced college/universities, these boys will teach you everything you need to know, will perfect your craft, and will guide you in the fashion design direction that you desire!

Great place, taught me a lot. Great people, along with great lessons and information about the world of sewing. Definitely a great intro for me into sewing.

Before I went to VSC, I was scared, overwhelmed, and clueless about how to even use a sewing machine - let alone attempt to make a garment of any kind.

I highly recommend, Chris and Stenly are super fun and they give exceptional one on one instruction and encouragement. Now I have the confidence, skill and knowledge of industry standards for creating garments.

I got way more value than what I paid for my course. They definitely over deliver and I can't recommend them enough.

Thank you VSC! I will be back.

I have taken basic stitching and basic pattern drafting courses at VSC. Both instructors, Chris and Stanley are knowledgeable and generous in sharing their knowledge. They are there if you have questions and they take their time to make sure I understood the lessons. I am very satisfied with these classes and am planning to take more classes with them in the future.
Nelly

I took the short program and used it to make an evening dress. Chris is clearly an expert and taught me to work with beaded lace. Stanley was very patient and taught me all the stitches & seams. My only amendment would have been to change the order of my classes. Overall, they have provided me a wealth of skills and information to take away and practice.

I took the basic sewing program to brush up in my sewing skills from 20 years ago. I learned more in this program than I did through my several years of group lessons.

Chris and Stenly were fantastic teachers and are very organized with their lesson plans to cram as much information into the program as possible.

As shared by other reviewers, they recommend video taping the session so you can go back and rewatch the lesson while you work on your own projects at home.

Definitely planning to take more of their courses in the Fall! Thank you:)

If you're looking to learn how to sew, not make a reversible bag, not sit in a class with 10 people waiting for your turn to ask a question. Vancouver Sewing Classes is A+

1 on 1 clearly communicated instruction, all the skills to sew literally anything & you leave with some pieces that you never thought you'd be sewing right out of the gate.

I can't wait to go back and learn more

It was a pleasure to meet Chris and Stan I learned sewing skills and knowledge of tailoring techniques. I told Chris I have zero experience on sewing. They taught me how to use sewing equipment and the understanding of garment construction and pattern making skills. I learned more than the basic on sewing, they taught me the sewing foundations. Chris and Stan are both amazing they are more than 5 stars to me. Thank you Chris and Stan I had a great time learning sewing.

Stanley and Chris at VSC:

Impeccable Service.
Outstanding delivery of content.
One on one teachings with gentle supervision.
Much value for money.

For the Novice, it is positivley challenging.for the knower, I suspect.priceless:)

What a ride; for my ego, my boundaries, but most of all: my wish to make and create <3

Wow you guys, you Rock!

Thank you _/_
Tone

I took the beginner sewing class with Chris and Stanley they were amazing. The program is very hands on and you learn how to do stitches, hems, zipper, pockets and many more! Honestly, I cant thank them enough on the things that I learned and I enjoyed every single class I had with both of them. They are very passionate, knowledgeable, friendly, patient and one of a kind! So, if you are interested to learn how to sew. Take one of the programs they offer and you will be surprised on the amount of knowledge and confidence you will get after the program.

I am an IT professional having a keen interest in the fashion industry. But I always wondered where and how I would start from to understand the potentials of my interest. I started with the basic Sewing classes at VSC and it turned out to be a great entry point because in 6 classes I made 4 samples along with 1 skirt and 1 shirt for myself. I will recommend VSC for many reasons like you get one-on-one training, you make 6 garments in 6 classes, there is flexibility in time, and last but not least my instructors Stanely and Chris. They both are very humble and perfectionists, they teach you professional skills for sewing garments.

Just completely “wowed” by my experience at VSC and with Chris and Stenly! You guys are absolutely amazing. Your passion for the craft comes through in your lessons. I searched for months before I found your school and I am so happy I did! The way you design your lessons and your teaching skills surpassed all my expectations! Thank you! Looking forward to taking more classes over the coming year.

I completed the Sewing Techniques Short Program and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to sew either professionally or as a hobby! I started with no experience and was provided with everything I needed – from a sewing machine, to materials/tools, and the bestest instructors in Stenly and Chris – to successfully complete 4 practice and 2 final garments. Stenly was my primary instructor and he was patient, personable and encouraging throughout. The program was a great experience!

I took the 6 session intro to sewing classes and loved it. Very in-depth, but also understandable and easy to grasp. Chris and Stenly are great instructors, not only thorough, but patient and inspiring. I can’t wait for my next course with them.

Its a incredible experience. They are both good teachers which really teach you useful sewing skills. They provide different programs and help with your assignments. Very patient and friendly, Best place ever

I had a magnificent time at VSC learning how the trade of sewing can lend to a measure of projects both at home and in the industry. Just a foundational course in sewing has piqued my enticement for the art of the tailor. With it's precision-based etiquette, and it's meticulous attention to the World of Fashion at large, the VSC provides you with a complete education in the work ethic of the seamster.

I was looking for sewing class for beginners and I found Chris and Stenly. I am so grateful for all they have taught me, I've learned so much! They're patient and expert, they make you try over over, and they're open to explain and repeat over and over again. If you're a beginner, like me, this is exactly what you need to learn. Highly recommended!

I just completed the beginner short sewing program and my sewing skills have improved greatly. I'm kicking myself for not taking this class years ago. Although I have been able to sew clothes for myself I have spent years avoiding anything difficult. I now feel more confident knowing I can sew in a precise manner, and will now begin to add zippers, buttons, cuffs etc to the clothes I sew. Chris and Stanley were a pleasure to learn from. I liked that Chris has been in the industry for years and is a wealth of knowledge. The classes were very organised, structured and professional. There was flexibility in the day and time I could take my classes and that worked well with my schedule.

Before I came to VSC, I owned a sewing machine for 20 years but never successfully sewed a single wearable garment—for fear of making anything less than perfect.

I had a dream of owning my own fashion brand since I was a teenager, but even though I worked in the marketing and media sides of fashion, I didn’t know the first thing about the technical sides. I tried to hire pattern makers, but found it extremely difficult to communicate with them because of my lack of technical knowledge, as well it was hard to tell how well they were doing their job.

In the end, I came to VSC knowing that if I were to turn this dream into a reality, it was absolutely necessary to understand the “fashion” part of the business.

Here are KEY POINTS about what makes VSC your top choice:
• 1 on 1 learning: It’s INVALUABLE! You don’t waste time waiting for teachers, you get to ask anything, and whenever you’re in a jam, you get immediate attention. Not to mention, for Sewing classes all the pieces are pre-cut, so you start sewing right when you arrive.
• Flexible Scheduling: You get to choose WHEN you want to come in for your 3 hour class. VSC is open 7 days a week from 9: 30 to 9pm and open even on Xmas (yea these guys are crazy work horses)
• Record Your Sessions: The fact that you get to record your lessons is unheard of. Many times I’ve referred back to videos.
• Materials + Equipment Included: Nowhere else (in the world, probably) will you find course fees that include all the text books, tools, fabric, notions, interfacing, and even equipment! Sewing machines are included (seriously).
• Best Bang for your Buck: I called another studio that offers 1: 1 at an even higher rate, but they don’t include materials. I looked into a group program, and learned that even though the cost was 1/3 of VSC, there would be 15 other students vying for the teacher’s attention. Plus, the “lab time” included in the course was unsupervised.
• Get Technical Results FAST: You *could* go online and watch dozens of videos before figuring out how to install an invisible zipper… the slow hobbyist way. Here you’ll learn how factories work in the most efficient manner. There’s no dilly dallying on tests, research projects or taking non-technical courses like marketing, history of fashion, etc.
• Customized Learning: Whatever you want to focus on, Chris will tailor the program for you. Or even create a custom program for your specific needs.
• The Guy Knows His Sh*t: He works really fast and knows how to troubleshoot any problem. He regularly helps people who have studied at some of the most renowned fashion schools in the world (think: Parsons, CSM, FIT)
• “Bitter first, sweet later”: This Chinese idiom sums up what it’s like to work with Chris. He's very supportive of his students and wants each to succeed at their own business. However, he also pushes you pretty hard, so you gotta be able to take criticism and defend your point of view. On the flip side, the good thing is you’ll never get a fake, sugar-coated answer from him.

I feel very lucky to have found Chris and Stenly at VSC. What impressed me the most is how much they care about their students and truly want them to succeed. He’ll tell every student to start selling items while they’re still learning so they can get a taste of the business side early.

*** Know that this team plans to move to Asia in the near future—so take all the courses you can while they’re still here! ***

Great place! They teach you all the basic and advanced, a little expensive but very much worth it! They give you everything you need of a program so you don’t need to get it yourself, all n all 13/10 would recommend to others if i can: D

image attached is a pair of pants i just finished today! Total took about 5 hours very much worth it

I took the introduction class with Chris and Stanley. Both are extremely knowledgeable about sewing techniques and the sewing business. They had so many advices and tips of sewing supplies, fabrics, and clothing markets. I own a clothing line and they helped me a lot in understanding the vancouver fashion scene and gave me references of other people who also took the class and started their own business. The Vancouver sewing classes are the best way to get into fashion and learn how to do beautiful pieces yourself.

Amazing sewing classes. I went from not knowing how to use a sewing machine to sewing full garments.

Stenly and Chris are great instructors. They are very patient and also ensure that the garments are sewn correctly and efficiently

I contemplated taking their classes for a long time - I'm so glad I did. I learned so much. Thank you Stenly and Chris!

I love this school very much. Super patient and helpful teachers are very nice and informative, helping me deepen my understanding of the choices I was making in my projects and skill building through their workshops. They gave me great guidance through demonstration and explanation of how to do the sewing, giving different examples through out the experience. It is a great class for people that aren’t very artistic but want to make something beautiful!
Thank you for your attention to teaching me - Chris and Stanley

I’ve just started with the team there and I can say they are excellent! I’m an intermediate hobbyist sewist and I’ve learned a lot of tricks and improved technique. Great value too!

I took the introductory sewing course with Chris and have LOVED it! Chris has such a wonderful energy, and you can tell he is truly a master of his craft. I learn a lot just by listening and observing what he does when he is helping me. The class itself is fun because you can choose to make things that you want to wear! Which makes it a really enjoyable experience overall. Learning from Chris and Stanley has been great- highly suggest.

Such a wonderful experience in the beginner course of sewing with Chris and Stanley! The studio is clean and bright, materials included are of high quality and function! The course was fun yet challenging and insightful. Chris and Stanley are geniuses! Amazing value. I would highly recommend any course with these gentlemen! They both exude passion for the world of fashion, and they truly care about your experience and results. Thank you so much!

I had an amazing experience. As a neophyte sewer I would highly recommend these classes to other beginners to learn the basics of sewing. Beginning with hems and moving onto seams I learned techniques that friends who have been sewing for years do not know. My friends told me how frustrating sewing classes were where you only construct on particular item and do not learn the skills to go forward and try other patterns. Vancouver Sewing Classes give you the skills to go forward with confidence knowing that you can go to a pattern and recognize the techniques asked for. Also the hands on training is perfect for my style of learning. Trial and error with a professional and patient teacher. The hand outs and material I took home with me were worth the price of the course alone. As well as being encouraged to record the classes on my phone so I can go back and revisit. I can't recommend this school enough. You will be very glad you chose them. Chris and Stanley are wonderful.

I needed help to prepare me for my new job at a traditional tailor workshop. I got way more help than I was expecting. Basically made a men’s suit out of muslin with detailed step by step instructions and lots of industry tricks of the trade. I now feel more confident going into my new role, thank you.

My very first sewing project has just completed…? ? …I started with zero sewing experience at all and now I feel that the box of pandora has opened up for me…thank you for showing me all the possibilities… so happy for the past six days of intensively hands-on learning experience…super comfortable and organized studio, very constructive teaching schedule and learning materials, extremely knowledgeable and patient teacher…hopefully, I will be able to achieve my goal on sewing in the future…looking forward to learn more from Chris and Stanley…

I had a 1: 1 session with Chris to redo a gown. I had started and could not finish nicely. He showed me how to change a pattern: from darts to a princess seam, how to slash; the details of marking and fitting; installing an invisible zipper and hem. I have been inspired - brought my serger out of storage and practicing techniques at home.

I registered for the beginner sewing class this September and I gained so much useful knowledge in the process! Chris and Stanley are both amazing instructors who make every class incredibly enjoyable. They helped me understand the process of sewing by providing relatable examples to my every day life and making funny comments. It was incredibly engaging and left me excited for the next class! I had no knowledge of sewing when I first started and throughout the course I was able to learn the basic foundations of making a blouse and skirt! They even gave me a bunch of high quality fabric to take home and practice on! I love how passionate they are to see their students success and do well in the industry whether it’s as a hobby (like me) or as professionals! I will definitely be continuing with the drafting program to further my knowledge and expand my passion for constructing garments! Thank you so much Chris and Stanley for such an amazing introduction to the fashion industry ️

If you're reading this review, you're probably wondering whether you should take classes here. The short answer: YES. But here is some advice before you start:

1) Be clear with your vision and outcomes out of the program. By doing so, it greatly helps the staff at VSC to advise you on the path you need to take and the skills you will need to develop to get there. But also be very open to being inspired and changing your path.

2) Be honest with where you are at. It's completely OK to say you know nothing. They are there to teach you, but if you say you know how to sew and get to the part of putting a complicated piece together, you will get stuck in your learning. Let them teach you what you need to know before you get stuck.

3) Educate yourself with how the industry works (Masterclass taught from fashion designers are a great thing to watch like Diane von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs). Fashion design can be fun. But it is also work if you want to make money. You'll also find that fancy degrees don't mean much when you don't have the skills to do the job. These days, employers are less willing to teach you, that's why you want to get an education, right?

Why I also chose to do my classes at VSC instead of somewhere like The Cut or Spool of Thread, was the program was continuous. If I had taken classes at anywhere else in Vancouver, I felt there was going to be a huge gap in knowledge when transitioning from one to another with different instructors. VSC's long program structured its components logically where I would do the sewing first, which helped me understand not only how to actually sew, but gave me an understanding of how pieces are put together. Now I am drafting the pieces but I already know how they will be assembled, and I do sew my own patterns into garments after I draft them.

I've been doing the Women's Ready Wear long program for about 2 years so far (COVID stalled things) with just doing 1 class/week. At this point, I feel qualified to write a mid-review. I've nothing but good things to say about Chris and Stanley at VSC. They are on your team to help you succeed in your goals. By the time I am done, I will feel like I've graduated from a bachelor program, but with more practical skills and knowledge than most students at a well known institution. I will not only be able to drape, draft my own designs, but to sew my own samples as well. You'll walk out of the school with the ability to start making money on your own without feeling the need to "get a job, " but you have all the skills to get one in the industry if you want one still.

The price of your program is inclusive. If you go to any other educational institution, they do not show you the true price up front as they did not include books, supplies, and tools in their tuition price. When you sign up for a long program (not short) at VSC, the team supplies you with all the equipment you need to do your homework at home. This may include industrial sewing machines, sewing machine attachments, sergers, dress forms, drafting tools, text books, etc. It depends on your program what you are supplied and you keep them after you complete your program so you can go on to start your own business or continue for fun.

When you spend a 3 hours class at VSC, all the prep work by the instructors are done ahead of time so you get the most you can in the time there. (But this also means you have to do your part – your homework – if you want to actually get the most.) You might be paying for 3 hours of class, but the instructors have probably put in an extra 1-2 hours of work ahead of time to get the class set up for you.

Class scheduling has been extremely flexible for me. I was initially concerned with committing to something long, but knowing I could take a couple weeks off when I wanted to go on vacation has made it great. When COVID happen, I could pause classes.

Chris and Stanley have nothing but the best interest for you when you are there and after. They try their best to support you even after the program with advice and their industry contacts.

My daughter and I had a wonderful experience learning to sew at Vancouver Sewing Classes with Chris and Stanley. They were both highly skilled and great teachers of their craft. We attended a beginner technique sewing course and learned so much and we are excited to begin our clothing making journey. We look forward to more classes at Vancouver Sewing School. Thank you very much for your patience and expertise, Chris and Stanley!

I took the Tech Pack class and the sewing class. It was an amazing experience 10/10 would recommend this place! Chris is so knowledgeable and him and all the instructors go out of there way to help make your goals become a reality!

Chris is an industry expert with years of experience. He’s makes learning fun and it’s something I look forward to every week? Thank you VSC

I took the Pattern Drafting for Men's Wear class and it's the best sewing investment I've made. Chris is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about sharing his knowledge. He also went beyond the scope of the class I signed up for by teaching me a lot about different construction techniques while putting together the test garments we made. Highly recommended, and I will likely take other classes with him in the future.

I took a short introduction course for childrenware here and absolutely loved it! Chris was super organized and detailed in teaching me all the basic stitches and hems and techniques you need to get started on a piece of garment (I'm a complete beginner and I didn't even know how to operate a sewing machine when I first started). He offered lots of notes and sample pieces so I was able to refer back to my notes at home. By the end of the course I have completed 5 pieces of garments including hoodie, legging, sweatpants and dresses. Super proud of myself.

Best part is that Chris knows a lot about industry standards and showed me the proper ways to sew garments to avoid common mistakes, as well as simplified methods for the same results.

I learned so much from this course and would highly recommend it.

I just finished the Professional Sewing Techniques Short Program where I sewed 2 professional-quality garments, a white dress shirt and black skirt that I can now wear. I am very happy with the program and will be enrolling into one of the long programs later this year. Classes are one-on-one with Chris, as well as Stanley who provides support. Chris teaches industry-standard techniques in a very efficient, organized method. During the first couple of sessions, he provides you the equipment, materials, and resources and sets you up so you can practise at home using the sample book you created in class as reference. Chris is a perfectionist and will ensure you learn good habits, but while he does not compromise on quality, he knows when to adapt and will teach you what to do if you get yourself in trouble. I've been to many sewing classes before and each time have given up on sewing because I was dissatisfied with the experience. But I'm happy to have finally found Chris and Stanley and look forward to working with them again in future.

Chris has your best interest at heart from making sure you have all the tools and equipment you need to helping you succeed in your garment production goals. I wasn't sure entirely what type of program or classes I needed, so after meeting with Chris, we put together something personalized to my goals, meeting my skill level where it was at, which was basically beginner. I had a hoodie pattern I wanted to make tweaks to, and Chris and Stanley assisted me every step of the way to completion. They work very efficiently, so that will be something you'll pick up. Chris is very knowledgeable in the industry and is kindly generous in sharing that knowledge. I highly recommend Vancouver Sewing Classes.

Chris and Stanley are super knowledgable and supportive teachers- I have learned so much in the past few months and was able to start constructing my own (quite complicated) garment from scratch at home. Chris is always prepared and is able to answer any of your questions, he has a very unique perspective and has insightful knowledge that is hard to find in any art programs or schools. His programs are very fast paced and are also one on one so it is very tailored to your pace and needs. Would highly recommend!

I came to vancouver sewing classes with a basic to little amount of sewing knowledge.after just 6 short classes with him and stanley my skills had improved more than some of my friends i know who’d been in some of the bigger fashion schools.i would definitely recommend that anyone wanting to know how to sew or greatly improve their skills to contact him asap! Thanks again chris!
- Riley Harmon

Wow! Just Wow! What a great experience. I had unresolved memories of a jammed sewing machine in grade 7 home ec class and had avoided it ever since. But now I am comfortable with my machine and a bunch of techniques etc. Chris and Stanley are amazing instructors. UNBELIEVABLY patient and cheerful. I made a some shirts and sweatpants. Imagine if you can't play hockey, but you have some general fitness, and have been watching it for years, now imagine you get to spend 6,3 hour practice sessions with Trevor Linden and any other high quality Canuck. You are now playing with the big guys and they are team players and include you in the playmaking and make you feel like one of them, they are pros, scoring is guaranteed. Thanks Guys!

I completed the short-term class with Chris and Stanley. The classes were fast-paced but very helpful. They are not only patient, knowledgable, and polite, and also they taught me a lot of informations in fashion industry. I really enjoyed to study with them and I will highly recommend people who are interested in Fashion. What an amazing experience.

I completed Chris’s 6-courses introduction to sewing program. The program was compact, fast-paced, and practical. I learned a comprehensive set of techniques while applying it on a few projects. In addition to great course design, Chris’ has an active and lengthy career in the fashion industry. He would often share his experience and give me valuable insights into the industry. I’d recommend the course to anyone looking to improve their sewing skills or learning for the first time. Thank you for the classes Chris!

Took the short draping course (3hrs per session) with Chris and learned so much. He is a very knowledgeable instructor. I was able to drape, draft and sew a complete garment in 3hrs. I do have experience in sewing and drafting, but taking a course with Chris helped me improve and learn more. I am very happy with my draping course.

Loved and had so much fun! Chris is so knowledgeable and an amazing teacher! Was a really great value and hope to do more!

I wanted to fast track my learning in order to launch a clothing business by the end of 2020 as I had a business idea that had been nudging me for many years. I had absolutely zero experience in fashion besides a couple retail jobs when I was young. Now in my 30s, taking the traditional route of a fashion degree program wasn't a feasible option and 3rd party design companies in Vancouver are ridiculously priced (avg 8K for one pattern design, not including the cost of your sample!). Learning the fashion skills for myself was the right path for me. I found I needed to understand the design process and fashion business so I wouldnt be taken advantage of by industry professionals and manufacturers as a newbie. Chris customized a program to suit my goals and in less than 3 months, I learned SO much about the technical side of garment construction and the business of fashion. I walked away on the last day of class knowing how to sew, draft a pattern, and design a tech pack to send to manufacturers. I also walked away with multiple blocks/slopers as the basis of my designs and created 5 wearable garment samples that I designed for my collection. To be clear, I'm not a pro at sewing or pattern drafting as its only been less than 3 months but I know more than enough to design and sew my own samples and can confidently communicate with people in the industry. ON TOP of all of this, Chris also provided amazing fashion books and a directory of hundreds of manufacturers that I am sorting through right now as a bonus. Stenley (Chris' assistant) provided so many assets to use for tech packs as well! Im so thankful that I found Chris here in Vancouver. I HIGHLY recommend him.

I just finished the sewing program with Vancouver Sewing Classes. The program was 6 weeks and each for 3 hours. At the end of the program I reached the sewing skills that I wanted and managed to put one shirt and one sweatpants together with Chris’s help. Vancouver Sewing Classes provides custom programs that fits your perfect goal. It is an extremely safe environment that it is one on one class and I was little concern before I started, but it turned out incredibly satisfied. Chris and Stanley are always there when I need anything. It might be little unexpected with the price but at the end of the program was definitely worth it, and Chris will come up with something that fits your need. Parking is convenient. There is street parking for Sunday and for week days there are parking close by.

I took the 6 week beginner course and learned so much that I also decided to sign up for pattern drafting. I had absolutely no knowledge of sewing and now I am making tops and dresses. Chris’s programs are designed to be super compressed but efficient and cover all basics. To ensure quality of teaching, Chris offers only one on one lessons at very reasonable rates.

I highly recommend you sign up for these classes before you commit yourself to a 2 year diploma.

Awesome Experience! Went to VSC because I wanted to create a product for a business idea. Not only did Chris help me bring my vision to life, he provided all sorts of valuable information regarding the textile industry that I couldn't have got anywhere else. Thanks Chris!

I highly recommend taking a class with Chris. I had zero sewing experience prior to the program and I learned more than expected with the beginners sewing class. Now I have the confidence to do sewing projects on my own.

Chris is an awesome instructor. He is patient, thorough, and very reliable. He understands every mistake you’ll make and he’ll show you how things are professionally done in the fashion industry. Chris is also very good at replying to emails as soon as possible.

I’m glad I took the beginners class with Chris. I feel more inspired and motivated to alter and create my own garments after taking this class.

I took a 6 week program with Chris and learned so much in such little time. I was impressed with how much I learned and how much we got done every class. Chris is very efficient, and doesn't waste time. Excellent class would recommend, %100.