The Sewing Room — Local services in Alameda

BUYER BEWARE! I hope this review is helpful to parents who don't have $450 to waste. So many incredible kids' classes out there - this is one to avoid! Told a neighbor about this, and she said, "Is that The Sewing Room in Alameda? Oh yeah, my daughter took classes there too and it's the worst - they are a mess and have no business teaching children."

The owner, Jennifer, changed the website now that I've complained loud enough, but still made me eat her $450 mistake. She acknowledged the mistake was her own, but the only solution offered was to buy more classes from her.

She also removed the group classes for the instructor who never should've been left in charge of children - the kids didn't like her, said she was mean and yelled a lot, and I personally heard her speaking condescendingly to a 9 year old when she jammed the machine. The website also says kids need to bring a snack, but she refused to let them eat, "Then I have to clean your wrappers out of the garbage can!" A persnickety old grump no good with kids.

The website initially claimed that this intro class didn't require experience and, for a series of 3 classes ($300), they would choose a pattern and complete a garment. We could purchase pattern and cloth at the shop (price gouged $150 for 2 patterns and 2 yards of jersey fabric!). At the end of the series I asked to see what they made, but none of them finished and Ms. Grumps told me we would need to buy 2 additional drop-in classes ($300). "But the website said..." to which she responded, "Yes, Jennifer is in the process of changing that because so many parents complain. She is also changing it require a Machine Basics class before this one ($90)."

Then came a host of excuses: there's too many kids in the class, I couldn't give them the all support, 9 year olds don't have the attention needed, your kids didn't know how to use a sewing machine (website said no experience needed - she's changed and bolded that now). She then said she understands and she's really sorry, but just reach out to the owner because she gets this complaint a lot from parents.

So I reach out and despite admitting it was their fault she refuses to refund my money, instead arguing that they have changed the website now and do I want to buy more classes.

*Edit to respond to the owner: I love the old white lady victim response when no one yelled, made a scene, or bullied - always the go-to when the white lady is wrong (I'm also white so I know this play too well). We've reached out now twice by phone and also have a long email thread clearly stating that she will happily sell more classes, but has changed the website and can't deliver what was promised when...

The Sewing Room Alameda is my third attempt at learning fashion illustration.

I’ve taken fashion illustration classes before. Once at a local community college and at an apparel design school.

I have learned so much more at The Sewing Room (Alameda) than I did at both the schools put together.

Julie is a awesome teacher. You can tell she’s an experienced well seasoned teacher. The classes online are small so Julie is able to attend to each student’s individual needs. She acknowledges her students growth and improvements and gives praise.

She breaks the information down so that it’s easy to understand and retain. The classes are cohesive.

The fashion illustration classes are offered online (zoom) and in person. Each class is 2 hrs making the class cost reasonable.

I recommend the fashion illustration class at The Sewing Room‼️

Marie E....

I took the Machine Basics class about 6 months ago at the Sewing Room and really enjoyed it! I came in with zero experience on a sewing machine and left feeling accomplished (NOT frustrated!). The class really de-mystified sewing machines for me enough that I could now watch a YouTube tutorial and understand what was happening. When I did buy a sewing machine myself a couple of months later, I knew enough to get it up and running so I could start practicing at home. I also appreciate that you leave the class with a whole packet of instructions to help remind you of everything you learned because it is a lot of information in a short amount of time if you have no experience. While I haven't yet, I'd happily return to the Sewing Room for another class...