Pretty much all of the other 5-star reviews sum up my impression of Catherine and Cut and Sew Studio. I've taken the beginner Intro to Sewing course. - Great teacher - Catherine doesn't make you feel bad at all about messing up. She can move a class of 8-9 people along pretty well, while not rushing anyone, even when people are at different stages of the project. She gives so many helpful tips. I mean, who would know that the opening of a pillow should be on the less stretchy-side of the fabric? - Studio - Bright, organized, roomy and clean. In a location with decent parking. - Pricing - Very reasonable. I thought at first the price was decent, but now I know the quality of teaching and it's an even better deal. I'll be taking another class soon! read more

I have taken several classes at Cut & Sew. I started with minimal sewing knowledge, and my goal is to learn how to make and alter clothing. Catherine (the owner and instructor) is great! Her classes are reasonably priced, and the size is kept fairly small, so she is always available for one-on-one instruction. I started with her Intro to sewing, which is great if you have never used a machine, or if it has been a long time since you have used one. I stepped up through a couple of her beginner classes and onto more intermediate ones fairly quickly. A lot of her classes come with open studio time, which means that you can come in to the studio and work on any of your sewing projects, with her available for advice. Catherine also comes with a lot of industry knowledge, as she was a designer for some bigger brands, but her instruction is very grounded and easy to follow for a novice sewist. She is also young and fun, so it wont be your grandma teaching how to sew frumpy things. In her working with a pattern class, she helps you learn how to put together a piece and sew it from a pattern of your choice. If you have never worked with a pattern, they can be tricky, and also involve sewing techniques that you have never use. With her class, you can give all your questions to her, and you figure it out together. As far as technique goes, she also has multiple technique classes, that are shorter and quick to help you bone up on how to sew all the different types of zippers, seams, pockets, etc. I have learned a lot from her. I continue to take classes, but now I am much more confident working with patterns, trying new techniques, and altering my own clothes. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to learn how to sew or anyone that wants to refine their skills. She does kids' classes too! read more

Catherine (the owner) is absolutely great. If you've ever thought about trying to alter your own clothes, or jump on that whole etsy craftsy diy bandwagon, Cut and Sew is the place for you to get started. I had taken a class or two on how to use a sewing machine, but those were a long long time ago. I took Catherine's Intro to Sewing class, and was up and running in no time. It was so addictive that not a week later, I bought my own sewing machine and set up shop in my own home. Based on that one class, I was able to start making my own pillows and skirts (elastic waists are all the rage... NOT. But, super easy if you are too scared to do too many fancy things. I recommend making a bunch for your friends' daughters as good practice). I have taken her alterations course, which really is more like studio time where she talks you through your own personal alteration projects. What's nice about this is that if you're not too hung up on completing things sequentially, you can bring in multiple projects, and she can talk you through what you need to do for most of them. You just finish up the rest at home on your own time (provided you understand what you need to do next... which is really not that difficult to figure out once you start thinking like a seamstress). I'm signed up for the Working with a pattern class next and cannot wait to start making my own clothes. What I want to impress upon you is that sewing is seriously not difficult. It is not scary at all, and Catherine makes it that way so you have the confidence to jump into other projects on your own. Try it! You'll really enjoy the skills that you learn. read more

I took the Intro Sewing course with Catherine and I'm going to take the Tote Bag with her in a few weeks. Catherine is a great teacher-- clear, methodical, and encouraging. In my class there were only two other people (some people cancelled at the last minute), so we were able to get a lot of attention. I can't wait to take my next class! read more

Cut & Sew Studio is warm and welcoming. Catherine treats beginners and experts equally and gives a lot of one-on-one attention. She clearly has a knack for both sewing and teaching and makes sewing seem approachable. I know now that though you can "self-teach" to an extent, having an expert to guide you provides invaluable knowledge. This is especially true with sewing, as if you do one step wrong, the rest will go awry. A lot of craft classes (pottery, knitting, etc.) feel very rigid and feel almost like you're back in high school (oh no!), because you sit there and follow along step by step and the teacher doesn't move on until everyone is finished. That's not how Cut & Sew Studio operates, which is really to its advantage. Catherine doesn't mind repeating the same thing twenty times & lets you go at your own pace. For the Intro to Sewing class, you are at the sewing machine almost immediately. Clearly, she knows we will learn best by doing rather than seeing. I highly recommend this studio, even for the person who has never even seen a sewing machine let alone made anything. read more

Cut & Sew Studio - Practicing straight lines, which was super helpful as a beginner before starting the project. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I love Cut & Sew. Catherine has helped my love for sewing grow into a legitimate hobby. She's so knowledgable and her passion for teaching really shows. I've seen her interact with her child students and really is great at communicating on their level while still being a great instructor. If you're an adult or a having a little one interested in the art of sewing I highly recommend Catherine and Cut & Sew. One of her other instructors, Sohpie, is also really great. I've enjoyed every class I've taken here. read more

I've been going to classes and open studios at Cut & Sew Studio for about a year now, and I can't say enough nice things about it! Catherine, the owner, is incredibly helpful and a great teacher - she knows when to step in and help, and when to back away and let you get through things on your own. I had never used a sewing machine prior to my first class at Cut & Sew, so I started with the Introduction to Sewing class. I loved it enough that I signed up for a Working with a Pattern - Basics - within 4 classes, I had sewn my own dress (it's actually the floral pattern dress that comes up as related to the class on her website!) with minimal outside "homework." I also attended two open studios for assistance with sewing a matching shirt for my fiance. These classes gave me enough to skill to do a lot of work on my own - I've made two more dresses, several more men's shirts, a pencil skirt, and a set of curtains. I'm signed up this spring to take pattern & fit classes, and I can't wait. I cannot say enough good things about the studio - if you're serious about learning to sew, don't waste your time at Joann (I've done it!), go straight to the source. I promise it'll be worth it! read more

I took an Intro to Sewing class at Cut & Sew Studio recently and I will definitely be signing up for more classes as soon as they're open! Catherine was a GREAT teacher, and the class size was small and very manageable. She makes sewing seem so approachable and easy, which is exactly what I was looking for. The studio itself is bright and clean and has new, easy-to-use machines. I highly recommend taking a class (or two, three, four) at Cut & Sew Studio! read more