School's out... Sewing's in!

Has your little one got the itch to stitch? Are they a little fashion designer in the making, or curious about how clothes are made? We’ve picked out some amazing summer schools around the country for your child to learn and develop the skill of sewing, creating and executing a project and getting creative through the summer hols.

Before we get started, here’s 6 of many reasons to get your child sewing this summer, from the gang at Stitch School!

1️. Learn problem solving + dexterity

2️. Practice concentration + patience

3️. Outlet for creativity + expression

4️. Practical skill for repairing damaged clothes

5️. Respect of labour + how our clothes are made

6️. Sense of pride + achievement

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Online Sewing + Fashion Design for Kids with Arkdefo

Various dates

With the Arkdefo online sewing school, your child can learn to make clothes whatever your location. A five-part course that helps young fashion designers explore their creativity, co-founder Elizaveta has built the class for the once-upon-a-time a girl herself, with the course primarily designed on helping young girls improve their confidence through clothes design.

Throughout their fashion label and online classes, empowering women is at the heart of Arkdefo’s brand. In their Sewing & Fashion design for kid's class, Arkdefo teach children to work with their own measurements independent of standard size structures, instilling the message from a young age that there's no such thing as a "wrong" body. We love that!

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5 weeks of Sewing Fun at Make Mee Studio, SE London

Various dates throughout August

Are you London based? The first sewing school in London takes place in Brockley, South East London! At Make Mee Studio, their aim is to mend our relationships with clothing by empowering children & adults with sewing and craft skills - saving the planet one stitch at a time. Their summer school children's classes host a range of dates and course lengths, from an afternoon of stitching fun to a whole week of magic!

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Parent + Child Sewing at The Fashion School, Brighton

Sat 21st August, 10am – 3pm

A class for you and your little one. With the Fashion School in Brighton, you’ll start by learn sewing machine 101, then using sustainable fabric from Liberty London, you’ll get the chance to sew a range of items depending on your experience (or determination!) from a tote bag, a detachable collar, elasticated shorts or a simple summer dress. Get creative with the kids and learn a new skill, together.

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Rework It Holiday Club with Stitched Up, Manchester

Tues 17th - Thurs 19th August, 9.30 - 11.30am

Image Credit: Stitched Up Community Benefit Society

Have you got a fashion designer in the making at home? This ones for the teens! Stitched Up are running a 3 day workshop for 12-16 year olds, taking unloved t-shirts, jeans and tops and turning them into something cool for the summer. We love an upcycle moment here at dotte! Whether they fancy creating a statement pocket or patchwork jeans, or something else entirely of their own imagination, the possibilities are endless with the Rework It Holiday Club.

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Make a Backpack with Ray Stitch, North London

Thurs 5th Aug, 2.30 - 6pm

Be the coolest kid on the first day back at school, with a handmade backpack created at Ray Stitch! This one-day course is suitable for children who have already had an introduction to using a sewing machine, and is an opportunity to encourage creativity, as well as improving self-confidence, patience and fine motor skills. By the end of the class they’ll have made a fully lined, zip up back-pack, perfect for carrying books & other bits and bobs! Want to create a whole outfit to match? Ray Stitch are also running a dress making class for kids, from 28th August!

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Sewing Machine Driving Lesson at Know How You, Kent

Mon 8th August + 23rd August, 10am - 12.30pm

Get your foot on the pedal! This Kent-based class is the starting tool for learning to use a sewing machine safely and creatively! Whether you have a sewing machine already at home or not, the class is aimed to get your child right on track and leave wanting to sew SO much more… you know what they’ll be asking for for Christmas this year!

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Denim Upcycle Workshop with The Fashion School, West London

Thu, 5th + Fri 6th Aug, 2pm – 6pm

With the Fashion School's Denim Upcycle Workshop, your child will revamp their outgrown denim jeans into something totally unique that represents their growing personality! On this course, they’ll learn the skill and ethos of upcycling, experimenting and customising an unworn garment to create something totally new.

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School's out... Sewing's in!