The Make Den Sewing Studio

Horrible
Communication! I’ve been trying to contact them for over a year to inquire about when they’ll reopen, not a single response through email or facebook. Tried to call, their # doesn’t even really work. Website hasnt been updated in Months. They’ve taken lots of customers’ $$$ for classes but refuse to refund, or reschedule. Ridiculous!

Do not give them your business!

Make Den Sewing Studio is a terrible sewing school. They take money from students and don`t teach the students they close their school and say because of covid-19 even when covid-19 is done. They never return the money back to the students. Avoid this school there are professional fraudsters and scammers. All else you will lose your money.

Been contacting them for a year for a refund but never a single response. Took money from students for classes that never happened. Incredible.

Hugely disappointed and angry with this company and it’s owner.
I booked two blocks of classes to learn to use a serger at the end of 2019, these were cancelled due to low numbers and so I re booked for Spring 2020. The classes were again cancelled due to Covid and I presumed that the make-den would contact me to re book later, at this point the website was up to date and the mak-den were selling fabric on instagram.
In January 2021 I tried to contact the make-den again but got no answer, I then realised that the website and instagram had not been updated since the fall and that the classroom building looked empty.
The company owes me $322, I am sure that I am not the only one. Covid has destroyed many businesses but the way the make-den and it’s owner have just disappeared, no warning to customers who could have claimed on paypal or credit card insurance if they had been told earlier feels underhand and selfish. I am confused why there are not bad reviews online and warnings from other customers, the owner and indeed staff need to have the common decency to contact people, not just hide and run.

This place has such a lovely warm vibe. You will leave feeling accomplished in the little time you spend here every week. I signed up for the sewing fundamentals class through and thanks to my experience I intend to take the next level classes too. Very friendly and respectful crowd as well.

My wife and I took the Level 1 Leather Fundamentals class, which was instructed by Irene. We both had an amazing time and have a new found appreciation of leather products. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking for a fun activity to do in the city!

Today was my 1st class and I am super beginner. I totally recommend this class. Anika was wonderful and replied to all the questions I had.she is very patient and knows her stuff pretty well.

Love this place, their unique curated selection of fabrics, and I love the community focus. I love the personal individual attention from the instructors, but sometimes that resulted in a lot of waiting for them to come around and help me, so I am knocking off a star. I was previously alright with that because I was able to make up for unproductive waiting during Open Studio. This was a weekly 3 hours of free time for current and former students to work on projects and since I don't have space at home for a machine, this allowed me to stay on track with my classes without having to incur more costs. I am knocking another 1 star off because they no longer offer Open Studio time every Friday evening. It starts getting quite pricey if you consider that the course fees do not include materials or kits and then you have to pay for the machine rental as well. I would like to register for more classes but I am waiting to see if they will reinstate Open Studio.

Avoid at all costs! I'm horrified by the unethical and immoral business practices of The Make Den. The owner, Irene Stickney, plagiarizes class material from local artists, failing to give credit to those who have worked tirelessly within the artistic community to develop their methods and technique. Instructors who remain under her employ have their pay withheld for extended periods of time, with complete disregard to the fact that it is their livelihood. Please do not support this business as it profits off of the exploitation of countless talented and deserving artists

I love this place. It has everything! Irene is lovely and creates a safe learning environment for makers of all levels.

One of the best decisions I made this year was to take classes here! I'm now in my 3rd and 4th classes at the Make Den since September, and they keep getting better!

The staff is so so so knowledgeable and talented, and they are so generous with their time and expertise. All of the classes offered give careful step-by-step instruction provide you with ample time so you don't feel rushed if you need to move a little more slowly.

There is a really great selection of materials for purchase at the store in front-so many cute fabrics and projects!

If you are new to sewing, drafting, leather work, or maybe you just want a little help getting through some projects, I highly recommend this spot!

Sewing Fun!

Above and at the back of the front shop of fabrics and ribbons are the studios. Various levels of classes are two hours with a completed project product. Small class sizes allow teacher student ratio to be close enough that learning becomes easier for demonstrations and hands on experience on sewing machines. Instant reward after trial means having a completed item within the class time learn by watching the teacher then DIY after.
For the beginner level with four classes of two hours $160 plus tax will be worth the money spent.