Such an inspiration! I took the Introduction to Sewing class with Jennifer, via a Groupon and it was wonderful! To be honest, I hadn't really given sewing much thought as I don't have a machine myself, but it sounded like a fun activity to do with a friend. I consider myself a creative type and let me tell you, this experience has awakened my inner seamstress! Jennifer welcomed us each at the door and directed us to the studio, where she has designed a beautiful, warm and charming environment. With enough room for about 8 or so students to work comfortably on shiny new machines. We were invited to coffee and tea and began working on our projects right away as she had each piece pre-cut and ready to go. Because of the small one-on-one feel to the class, it didn't matter that I was a beginner and others in the class had more experience with a machine, Jennifer was patient, clear in her instruction and always encouraging. I tell you, I went from a casual interest in a one-time activity to looking online for sewing machines that night! The whole evening was fun and I was so proud of my end-product. I highly recommend Workroom Social! read more

Workroom Social - Our 'Intro to Sewing' Bags! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I took the Weekened Pants Intensive at Workroom Social and had an absolute ball! Jennifer is personable, professional and fun! We had a guest teacher from one of my favorite sewing blogs who flew in from TN to teach at Workroom Social's gorgeous and well-equipped sewing studio and she was terrific, as well. Workroom Social provides nearly everything you'll need for their classes, including muslin samples of whatever garment you are constructing to try on ahead of time. Jennifer even had the pattern cut out to save time for us students. The teaching style is positive and encouraging, Jennfier and Lauren (guest teacher) were patient enough to repeat certain instructions to me several times until I was able to complete my pants. The studio itself is bright, airy, roomy, well-decorated and accomodating. There are mirrors to aid with observing fit issues and everyone pitched in to help us take fitting notes while we tried on various samples. Jennifer offers coffee and snacks throughout the day and it's not a regular old box o'joe - she actually brews you coffee, tea or expresso and serves it to you in cute vintage tea cups! Her attention to detail is flawless! Lunch and snacks come from local eateries and varied by the day. Jennifer checks with students prior to ordering meals to avoid food allergies and general distastes. She concocts awesome cocktails for the end of the day so everyone can unwind and chat for a bit before heading home. This class was truly fun for so many reasons! Everyone was down to earth and sweet, I can't wait to come back and take more classes! Jennifer's family (her husband and super sweet puppydog) are also great and greet everyone to make you feel at home. We got awesome goodie bags with some high quality sewing tools and a brand new pattern of the garment we were working on, too. This really was one of the best experiences i've ever had with class intensives in New York. If you're looking to advance your skills, go visit Workroom Social for a great time :) read more

I took an amazing weekend jean intensive with Jennifer. Jennifer is such a warm, generous and above all patient teacher and I came away with a pair of jeans that fit me wonderfully and the skills and confidence to sew jeans on my own. Jennifer really takes the time to make sure that you are understanding the why and how of applying different techniques. I can't wait to take another class at Workroom Social and to continue to develop my skills as a sewing. read more

I can't say enough good things about my experience at Workroom Social. I had almost zero sewing experience and after two classes, I walked away with a super cute dress...an entire dress!! Jen made class easy and fun, she gave easy-to-understand instruction, played great music and provided the most delicious snacks and lunches. Also, I think this is the only sewing/art studio in NY that follows class with a cocktail hour (bonus). Believe me, after all that hard work a Mimosa tastes fantastic! I also feel confident to start and finish a sewing project from home. Reading sewing patterns went from a foreign language to actually making sense. I still can't believe how much I learned in two days! I'm really looking forward to more classes. read more

I can't recommend the classes at Workroom Social enough! Jennifer is a kind, patient, and fun instructor. I took the Weekend Intensive Dressmaking course as a beginner and rarely felt out of my depth or unduly overwhelmed. Whenever I had an issue or question she was beyond informative. I left the experience with a great sense of accomplishment in finishing my dress and suddenly had newfound motivation and courage to begin sewing on my own at home. After doing a lot of research ahead of time I found that the classes at Workroom Social gave me the best benefits for the cost. I gained numerous skills that I wouldn't have if I'd taken a more basic intro course for less money (working with a pattern, picking fabrics, sewing machine skills, cutting pattern pieces and fabrics, and learning overall best sewing practices from a professional). Additionally, the small number of people in the class (5) meant that I received a lot of one-on-one attention that I definitely wouldn't have if I took a class of 10-15. The social aspects of the course also made the whole experience even more worthwhile. Workroom Social provides breakfast, lunch, and cocktails each day of class. That aspect of the experience went a long way in ensuring that even the most frustrating moments wrestling with a tricky problem or trying to master a difficult technique weren't stressful. Jennifer's studio is a welcome space to spend the weekend--bright, airy, and with plenty of room to work. I'm so glad I took this class! read more

Love workroom social. Jen is an awesome and openminded teacher, making a very easy and comfortable learning environment. I would suggest her classes for beginners and intermediate sewists. She's a professional! read more

Awesome, unintimidating environment for a noob like me. I took the Tote-bag Intro to Sewing class and came home with a really cool little bag that looked pretty darn good! Jennifer (the instructor) was great, very personable, patient and helpful. The studio was in her home - the top floor of a Brownstone - and was very nicely stocked, organized and decorated. Fun space with lots of room to work, but intimate enough for one-on-one attention (I think there were only 4 sewing stations, but we only had 3 in our class). I will definitely be back - looking forward to taking a more advanced sewing class! read more

After watching many videos and reading a ton of tutorials I am finally confident enough to try an FBA. The class with Katy was wonderful and she was very welcoming. The small sized class allowed for each student to see and hear the instructor and to have our questions answered. The hands-on experience with an instructor's guidance was invaluable. Thank you Workroom Social I can't wait to return for another class. read more

I took Workroom Social's Button-Up Shirtmaking class in February 2017 and was immensely satisfied. Before you ever arrive in person, Jennifer goes out of her way to engage you and make you excited for your class. She does this first and foremost by communicating details about the class and asking you about yourself. Behind the scenes, she then prepares the pattern pieces for your project (based on measurements you've provided) so that precious class time is not taken up by pattern tracing and cutting. She even made a modification to my pattern! Once you arrive at the WS studio you are greeted by Jennifer herself, who is warm, delightful, and so excited about what she does and being able to share it with you. Our teachers, Sonja and Katy, were equally as great, both having deep knowledge and experience in sewing and design. They also had interesting career paths that they were happy to discuss. That made a real impression on me. As for the course itself, it was just the right size (9 students - 2 teachers) and length (16 hours over 2 days) to allow me to finish my shirt and wear it back home! All in all, it was a great weekend full of learning and camaraderie. I loved it so much i immediately signed up for Camp Workroom Social. Can't wait! read more

I loved the intro to sewing class. Jen was patient and very informative. I gained a bevy of knowledge regarding sewing, and needed information for special projects I wanted to complete. She also went out of her way to make the experience fun and make sure that I was comfortable. She was also very reassuring. I will definitely be back for another class. read more

I took the Weekend Dressmaking Intensive class in September. The studio and environment were spacious, bright and fun to work in. The sewing machines were retro Kenmores from the 1970s that had been tuned up and worked well and also fit the aesthetic of the workshop nicely. The studio had plenty of space for laying out and cutting your fabric with plenty of scissors, rulers, etc for everyone. The social aspect of the course was also a lot of fun. We had a cocktail at the end of each day and delicious food from local restaurants. By the end of the course, all the students exchanged emails and phone numbers. The environment felt fun and collaborative rather than competitive. Jennifer is a wonderful instructor with tons of patience and really wants you to come out with a finished product that you are happy with. Although my dress wasn't perfect, I was soooo happy with the end result and so proud of myself for having completed what was my most complex sewing project. Prior to this course I was very much a beginner, having only learned how to use a sewing machine over the summer and having only made a very simple skirt once before. Now I have the confidence to try so many other sewing projects. I highly recommend this course!! read more

I recently took the Dressmaking Intensive Workshop at Workroom Social. This was by far one of the best classes (sewing-related or otherwise!) I have ever taken. Instructor: The instructor, Jenny, was incredibly knowledgeable about her craft, as well as an amazing and patient teacher. She skillfully guided our class of 4 students throughout the 2 days, even though we had varying levels of sewing experience. There was clearly a significant amount of preparation done in advance for the class and a lot of thought put into the structure. The pace of the class was such that we were very productive, but also able to have fun and enjoy our work along the way. Studio: The location of the studio is super easy to get to via public transportation. The studio itself is fully stocked with all of the sewing essentials. It is immaculately organized, adorably decorated, and overall very welcoming and comfortable to work in. Overall, this was a fantastic experience. After finishing the class, I am much more knowledgeable and confident in my sewing abilities...and I have a gorgeous new dress that I made on my own! I highly recommend Workroom Social for individuals both experienced and new to sewing! read more

I took the Weekend Dressmaking Intensive last weekend and I can't recommend it enough. Jenny, the instructor, was terrific. Very knowledgeable, very well prepared. She was patient with our relatively limited skill set and made sure we understood why we were doing things a certain way. She was super organized and super prepared- we got a little goody bag with our pattern, some tools, and more. She had muslins pre-made so that we could do fittings and adjust our patterns from there. The class was timed out perfectly - all 5 of us finished our dresses on the second day and they were lovely! I feel like I would be able to recut this pattern and recreate the dress without much difficulty (although I did a sleeveless dress and the sleeves are apparently the hardest part), which is the perfect outcome to a sewing class. I learned all of the incidental skills and came out with a dress that I actually really like, perfectly fitted to my measurements. The studio is just lovely. It's the top floor of Jenny's house and it looks like Etsy heaven. If anyone ever wants to build out a place for crafting of all sorts, visit Workroom Social to learn how it's done. Big communal corkboard table in the middle for cutting and laying things out with sewing machines against the wall around the perimeter. Each machine has its own little tool box with all the necessary pieces and the machines themselves are top notch. Aside from being highly effective, the class was a lot of fun. Jenny clearly loves what she does and it keeps up everyone's mood, even when people are frustrated (mostly by sleeves). She had breakfast for us in the morning and lunch in the afternoon; it was great food from local restaurants and bakeries. She had cocktails for us in the evening before we left - after we finished for the day, of course. Never drink and sew. All in all, a terrific experience. I'm already looking forward to the next time I can get to one of her classes. read more

I took the most recent Weekend Dressmaking Intensive and had such a great time! I have a few years of apparel sewing under my belt, but I'd never taken a class and desperately needed hands-on help with fitting. The class was only 5 students, with Jennifer teaching and Kate assisting--so there is a lot of personal attention if needed. For that reason, you can really get what you want out of the course; I came in knowing what I wanted to learn about and improve, and the course met those goals perfectly. It was especially great to learn tips from RTW garment production that help speed things up and improve confidence. Jennifer is knowledgable and enthusiastic, and you can really tell she enjoys teaching! In addition, the space is beautiful, and the food and drinks were delicious--the details make it a high-end experience all around. I came away feeling like I had not only learned a lot, but had a really fun time while doing so. I hope to attend the Workroom Social camp next year! read more

I spent a lifetime convincing myself that sewing was just not for me. My occasional attempts using my mother's old sewing machine inevitably resulted in the most Frankenstein-looking pieces, further reinforcing my belief that I should just stay away and let the makers do their thing. However, after having a kid I wanted to be able to hand make all those beautiful things that I remember my mother making for me, so decided to give it one last chance. I'm so thankful to have discovered Workroom Social. I took the Intro to Sewing class and was immediately put at ease by the beautiful and roomy studio, and Jennifer's meticulous and thoughtful teaching style. She provided all of the materials, and had them all laid out invitingly at our stations upon our arrival. The class proceeded at just the right pace, as Jennifer introduced us to the workings of a sewing machine, and the terminology of how pieces are put together. There were only 3 of us taking the class so she was able to answer questions easily and give us a lot of one-on-one attention as we went along. Not only was I NOT overwhelmed, I had a lot of fun! And I got to bring a cute tote-bag home as proof of my newfound skills. I had not expected this, but Jennifer's instruction actually gave me the confidence to buy my own sewing machine instead of just borrowing one, and I was able to make an awesome firefighter costume per my toddler's request for Halloween. It was a huge hit. Highly recommend taking a class, I know I will definitely be going back to take one of the more advanced workshops! read more

I took the sweater knits class and it was wonderful. Jennifer was great, she made me so welcomed & had yummy black & white cookies. The workroom is equipped with really nice Singer sewing machines & sergers. Olgalyn Jolly, the instructor, was fabulous. She explained everything so well & had so many great techniques to share for sewing knits. I can't wait to start a new sweater project. And I can't wait to take another class at Workroom Social. read more

Great sewing weekend! Such friendly and supportive instructors. They make sure you are successful. This is the second class I've taken and I plan to take more. read more

I LOVE THIS STUDIO & THE INSTRUCTOR, JENNY!!!!! I am going to focus my reviews on the following 2 perspectives: INSTRUCTOR: Jenny is very knowledgeable and patient-- We received an well-organized booklet at the beginning of the class which listed out step by step how to sew, how to pick your fabrics, how to measure and what is the size of your desired final product. Jenny walked us through the booklet and provided examples/samples to demonstrate different fabrics and to make sure that we understand how the dress is structured so that we can make the dress at home. Also, she pre-made the different sizes of the dress. So once we are done with the fitting, we could try on those pre-made dresses to make sure our measurement aligned with the size chart from the pattern to help us to decide the best size for our dress. I really have to say this might be the ONLY class teaching in this way. You will learn very hand-on skills--how to sew your patterns together in a professional way and also learn how to adjust the patterns to fit your needs. It's not just teaching you how to use a sewing machine. It is a class that will give you a good knowledge on making your clothes as a profession. STUDIO: It's a very lovely environment. The studio is very spacious and full of sufficient sun-light (sounds like I am looking for an apt.) Plus, it's such a friendly environment to make friends and hangout while learning how to sew. I have to say that good environment brings you the good vibe. I cannot wait for sewing at home and my next classes!!! read more

I have been taking sewing classes with Jen for the past year. I came to her with a little bit of informal sewing experience but I really wanted to know how to make my work look more professional. Jen helps us plan and design our projects before we start so that our finished product actually turns out exactly how we want it to! Jen is an extremely patient and calm teacher and really inspires me to want to create. Nothing seems impossible here and if you make a mistake, Jen always knows how to fix it. I love wearing the clothing I have sewn and I feel much more confident in my ability to create a whole project from scratch. The space in which we work is also beautiful and inspiring in its own right. This experience has been all around wonderful! read more

Jenny has been teaching a group of us sewing techniques in her studio for the past year - she is amazingly patient and generally fun to be around! She has become my go-to resource for questions related to apparel sewing and she keeps up on many of the smaller labels and designers offering patterns to the home sewer! read more