The first time that I handled a needle and thread, I was an 8 year old determined to complete her term’s project for Family Living. Even though it took me twice the time it took the rest of my class, I pressed on through my summer break and finished that pair of shorts by hand. The next project wasn’t so slow or full of errors (the apron is still in my mother’s kitchen).

I’ve had all my life to practice, often sewing by hand at home after classes and on weekends all through secondary school. I later got trained on how to use a sewing machine (yup! I actually learned that – even though hand stitching and embroidery is cool, my brief stint with my boss  (an amazing woman) showed me how much faster stuff is when you automate), took courses in fashion design and business of fashion, building expertise in garment construction and in various techniques. All through the time I spent in school earning my diploma and degree, I got to build my fashion brand, and grow so well that I went from building my own wardrobe (lingerie, everyday wear, couture, traditional outfits, and even evening dresses), to doing the same for others (right in the middle of studying a medical course. I have been multi-dimensional since 19-gbogboro ?)

One of the major things that I have learned while I interacted with courses from Italy, Hong Kong, London, Australia and the USA is that the female body proportions vary according to heritage (an African woman’s body is structured differently from an Asia nor Italian woman), and over the years, working with hundredsnofnwomen and girls, I’ve been able to blend the international sizing system to create a chart and system of cutting garments that works just for us ?

What I’m offering in this series of courses, is a coalition of all that I’ve learned, practiced and discovered, both as a dressmaker, and a business owner. Regardless of what you use it for (creating custom-made couture dresses, or corporate ready-to-wear like I do; or simple home-made outfits for everydaywear), sewing is a tangible life skill that will always come in handy at some point.

Regardless of what you intend to do with it, there’s a package in there for you. We’ve got sewing courses designed to help you to either learn core skills you need to build and run a business/career in fashion design, touch up on an area of weakness or just acquire basic knowledge. There’s a course to:

– teach you the sewing skills
– help you to clarify your passion and niche
– help you to ease into the market
– hand you valuable business tools to kickstart your enterprise
– introduce you to opportunities, if what you prefer is a career
– teach you to balance fashion design with whatever else you are doing

We’ve even got a program specially tailored for kids and teens, that comes with all the tools and equipment that they need to get work done.

Does that look like what you’re looking for? Join us in the Academy.