I have been taking sewing classes with Ms. Lee at the A Special Lee Sewing and Craft Cafe for the past few months. When I started I knew very very basic. Thanks to Ms. Lee i was able to learn how to sew a dress!! Yes a dress! I took on to a difficult project, and at times felt frustrated, but Ms. Lee has been so great and patient, and encouraged me during those times. I have to say that Ms. Lee not only is she patient but she has years of experience of sewing and is a great teacher. People may have experience but not necessarily be able to convert that experience into teaching, Ms. Lee certainly possesses both. She is very detailed when she teaches she shows you alternative ways of doing/crafting various techniques. So that way you are able in the future to apply those alternative techniques to other projects. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to learn how to sew and sew well. Her space is big and it is a corner house, which is filled with sunlight throughout the day and that was very important to me! Thanks Ms. Lee! Here are some pictures of the process from day one until my dress was ready! read more

Antoinette is an excellent teacher! I recently completed her Complete Beginner's Series, where I started by sewing a small pillow, a tote bag, and, with her guidance, a skirt with darts from a commercial pattern. We met once a week. During every session, I learned something new. I had already fallen in love with sewing before I signed up for her lessons, but having finished the series, I now feel confident enough to continue learning on my own. I highly recommend starting your sewing journey with Antoinette. There are a ton of YouTube channels, online craft/maker video platforms, and books that will teach you sewing... but Antoinette will share techniques with you (especially in terms of interpreting instructions listed in commercial patterns) that only a seasoned and experienced sewist knows, and that you as a beginner will not be able to easily learn on your own from online videos or a book. Taking lessons from Antoinette could potentially save you lots of money and time that you will probably waste in attempting to teach yourself sewing! read more

Antoinette taught me how to sew five years ago, and I continue to take lessons from her. There is a simple reason for that: Antoinette is an extremely gifted teacher. If you're like me, you like doing things well--sometimes perfectly haha. That attitude can make learning how to sew a hellish experience. Not with Antoinette! Ms. Lee makes sewing the most fun thing I've ever learned to do. Yes, sewing demands patience and several servings of humble pie, but Antoinette makes it fun by correcting your mistakes without making you feel slow or stupid. I leave every sewing lesson feeling energized. It is usually the highlight of my day and I always look forward to working with Antoinette. I used to take lessons with her at a local fabric store, but I prefer her home studio. It is clean, nicely decorated and spacious. The studio is also very accessible. There is plenty of free parking and is only about a 10-minute walk from the Georgia Ave metro station. Honestly, I cannot recommend Antoinette and her studio enough. Check it out! read more

Recently, I was on a mission to find a new hobby and skill and settled on sewing. Upon extensive searching, I finally came across Antoinette's business. Shortly after I reached out to her, I received a very quick response to my inquiry unlike a few other people I contacted. In detail, she explained my options/lessons and I was immediately excited! I am taking a series of classes with Antoinette now and have developed great foundational knowledge and skills about sewing although there is so much more to learn. She is very professional and patient, yet definitely a lot of fun. It is evident that this is her passion and she has the skill to support it. The classroom setting is very intimate and the students are equally as friendly, fitting to the environment. I'm thrilled to recommend A Special Lee Sewing and Craft Cafe (Antointette) to anyone seeking sewing lessons in the DMV area. read more

Antoinette is a great sewing and quilting teacher. I absolutely recommend taking one or more of her classes. I know how to sew--and took two quilting classes, never having quilted before. Everything is different--the seam allowances, the pressing, the piecing-- and Antoinette was incredibly patient in her teaching, recognizing different learning styles, different priorities and goals. She was also flexible in helping with multiple projects, despite the class titles. Antoinette is a really interesting person, happy to engage around lots of topics and keeps the quilting/sewing tasks at hand fun and just the right level of intensity. Classes are very small and you get all the guidance you need. I am very proud of my first pinwheel quilt! I would definitely recommend her classes. read more

I signed up for two individual introductory classes with Antoinette with the intention to just learn the basics of how to use my sewing machine for small alterations, and see if I liked the classes. Antoinette was warm and welcoming in her home studio, and I found that I really enjoyed the projects we did, especially given Antoinette's patient and thorough instruction. I quickly signed up for the next 6 weeks of class and completed the most adorable little toddler bomber jacket!! I am so proud of it, and I feel confident that I can tackle other projects now. I could NEVER have done it without Antoinette's help, and now I am eager to expand and try this new hobby I didn't intend for! read more

Miss Antoinette is not just a top-notch seamstress and artisan, she's a fantastic teacher. I initially signed up for a basic sewing class but then immediately signed up for another one because I was learning so much and enjoyed her teaching. She really understands how students think, what they might be struggling with, and how to get through to them on an individual level even in a group class. Many people can sew but not everybody can teach. Miss Antoinette can do both. She's also a lot of fun in the classroom. I went from not being able to thread a machine to making a dress thanks to Miss Antoinette. I highly recommend her to anyone truly interested in learning the craft of sewing. read more

I took my first sewing class (Introductory to Sewing) with Mrs. Antoinette today. I found her to be very personable, friendly, patient and helpful. Although I had a few challenges in the beginning she was right there to help me through. There were a few of us in the class and she helped each one of us. She was always available to answer any question or help us along. When I got there which was a little early and we were getting to know each other I felt like I knew her for a while and we were just catching up. I had so much fun in my class and my pillow turned out very well. I look forward to taking my next set of classes. See you soon and thanks again. Michele read more

Wow - I can't believe how much I've learned in just few weeks! I started as a complete beginner, but now I'm threading the sewing machine like a pro and created pieces I never thought I could make. I've even learned some insider tricks of the trade, and it's amazing how the smallest details make such a big difference. I'm honestly blown away by my progress. Choosing this sewing class was a great decision-especially for such a great price! Ms. Antoinette is an absolute incredible teacher! read more

Antoinette is extremely talented and shares her expertise with her students. She is patient and creates a fun, professional atmosphere for classes. Classes are well paced for students to be able to finish projects in the time frame allotted. I've taken two intro classes, a quilting series, and a sewing clothes with a pattern series. I learn something new during every class and am becoming more and more confident in my sewing! read more

Antoinette is awesome! Super nice, a strict teacher and very knowledgeable. She is always fun to work with and very clear in her explanations. I totally recommend her class!! I went from not even knowing how to set up my sewing machine to making my own dresses in just 3 months...! I also love that her studio is cozy and we always chat about things and exchange experiences, it's just a very comfortable atmosphere :) read more

Loved taking a beginning quilting class with Antoinette! I had ZERO sewing experience before - didn't even know how to thread a needle, and now I am starting projects of my own after completing my first baby quilt with Antoinette's guidance. She is accommodating, fun to be around, and knows exactly how much guidance to provide her students. Here is a photo of the first quilt I made on my own: read more

I have taken 2 sewing courses with Antoinette and will continue sewing with her to improve my skills. Her space is great, the community is great, but most of all, she knows her stuff and was always there to translate the wording of the pattern and help me understand the art of sewing. Highly recommend anyone looking to start or master the craft. read more

Thanks to Antoinette, my daughter have flourished with her sewing skills in an environmentally friendly, cozy space. My daughter thoroughly enjoys taking sewing lessons from Antoinette because she is a patient and overall pleasing person. She has also evolved so much since she started. I highly recommend A Special Lee Sewing studio! read more

This is my first time learning how to sew and I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I've been able to make a pillow, a bag, and a skirt (pic). As a tall plus size woman I feel so empowered now that I'm taking her classes. She's personable, patient, pleasant, and fun to be around. Antionette's classes are a blessing. read more

Antoinette is a talented sewist and quilter. She is extremely easy to work with and has great, creative ideas. She helped me create what will surely be a family heirloom quilt out of some small squares of needlework made by my grandmother in the 1950s. Thank you for the wonderful gift! read more

I got a sewing machine as Christmas present last year and thanks to Antoinette it has been one of the best presents ever! She is a great teacher full of patience and she always find the way to make you feel great with what you are doing. I totally recommend taking classes with her! read more

When I First meet Antoinette Lee, and started learning sewing , I felt I was right at home. The set-up of her sewing class is very relaxing and her personality is very comforting. She has the patience and temperment to teach sewing. She is my favorite Teacher and always will be. read more

Fantastic, skillful, patient teacher! Beautiful studio. Competitive prices. Antoinette is a master sewer with a gift for what she does. I'm finally able to follow a pattern and am growing in my skills with confidence. Highly recommended! read more