Why to Take Sewing Classes in Birmingham
When I was young, my mother created a few beautiful heirloom dresses for my sister and me to wear on Easter. She used a sewing machine that weighed about 50 pounds and was taught by sewing legend Sarah Stone. I honestly didn’t appreciate those dresses much at the time. Now that I am older and my mother has passed away, I am grateful to have those dresses with thoughtfully chosen lace and fabric and carefully sewn stitches. It has been a joy to see my daughter and niece wear those same dresses thirty years later.
When my daughter outgrew all of the dresses that my mom made and I had a son with nothing to wear on Easter, I decided to take an heirloom sewing class and learn to create beautiful outfits of my own. My sewing machine is very basic, and I didn’t have much sewing experience, but my instructor was patient and kind. Most importantly, she could recognize my mistakes and teach me how to fix them before they became a huge mess! I ripped out a lot of seams and started over a few times, but I made two Easter-worthy outfits that year. The next year, I made two more, and now I have been able to see my niece and nephew wearing the pieces I worked so hard on!
How to Take Sewing Classes in Birmingham
Maybe you have no interest in heirloom dresses, but would love to make your own pillows or drapery. If you want to learn how to sew but feel intimidated, know that everyone starts as a beginner! I encourage you to look into some of these locations that offer a wide range of classes and give it a try.
Most locations require that you bring your own sewing machine and sewing materials, but some, like Red Mountain Makers, provide materials for you. Most of these locations sell fabric and sewing essentials like lace, buttons, thread, and even sewing machines. Since space is limited in these classes, many of them are filled quickly. If you do not see available classes listed on a business’s website, check back again soon, call to ask about classes, or sign up to receive their emails so you will be the first to know about a class posting.
Where to Take Sewing Classes in Birmingham
1. Bib & Tucker Sew Op
Bib and Tucker Sew Op is a nonprofit with a mission to cultivate skills and community for those who sew or want to sew. They offer a basic sewing machine course, but also offer classes to teach different types of sewing, such as quilting and applique.
Location: 7001 Crestwood Blvd #1202, Birmingham, AL 35210
Contact: (205) 386-0575
2. Red Mountain Makers
Red Mountain Makers is a nonprofit maker-space that can give you affordable access to classes and tools that you need to create a variety of things. They typically have a sewing project or two in their class list. Their recent sewing projects included tote bags and rug tufting. They have sewing machines on site. If you would like to try something other than sewing, check out their classes in things like welding, woodworking, 3D printing, glasswork, and more!
Location: 810 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Contact: (205) 588-4077
3. Robin’s Sewing Shoppe
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe does not provide basic sewing classes, but they are one of the few companies that offer quilting classes. They have two locations to make visiting their shop more convenient for you.
Location: 5886 Trussville Crossing Blvd, Birmingham, Alabama 35173
Contact: 205-655-3388
Location: 5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 121, Hoover, Alabama 35242
Contact: 205-848-2303
4. Sewing Machine Mart
In Springville, Sewing Machine Mart offers a wide variety of classes to help you with beginner, intermediate, home decorating, or alterations sewing. They also offer classes for projects such as pillows, tote bags, and quilts. If you want to help others with your new hobby, attend their charity sewing events to make items for deserving causes.
Location: 300 Springville Station Suite 800, Springville, AL 35146
Contact: 205.870.1931 or 877.296.3517
5. The Sewing Room
The Sewing Room offers a wide range of classes for different skill levels and sewing interests. Their sewing classes fill up quickly, so sign up for their newsletter so that you won’t miss out on the classes that you want to take. They also offer sewing machine training to help you learn how your new machine operates.
Location: 1040 Inverness Corners, Birmingham, AL 35242
Contact: 205-980-1112, [email protected]
6. The Smocking Bird
Nestled in Cahaba Heights, The Smocking Bird offers classes for all ages and skill levels. They have a kids sewing club that meets weekly for a month at a time. During class, your child can learn the basics of sewing and will complete a fun, age appropriate project each time. For adults, Smocking Bird offers beginning sewing, heirloom sewing classes, applique classes and more. They have “sit and sew” opportunities where you can bring projects to work on in the shop, and an experienced sewing expert can help you with any problems or questions you have.
Location: 3118 Heights Village, Birmingham, AL 35243
Contact: 205-848-2249
7. Thimbles Fabric
At Thimbles Fabric, private classes are offered to help you learn more about your sewing machine and how you can use it to create many projects.
Location: 181 Main Street, Suite 221, Hoover, AL 35244
Contact: 205-682-6008, [email protected]
8. Your Local Library
Not all libraries offer sewing classes, but some of them do! Whether you need to bring your own machine or not depends on the library, but these are great opportunities to try out your new hobby in a low-stakes setting. Plus, some of them likely have sewing machines for check-out! Keep an eye on library websites, Facebook pages, and event calendars to stay in the loop on these offerings.
