Sew New York

If you want to learn how to sew beautiful garments you have to take classes with Laura. The pencil skirt was my first project and every time I look at it I feel so proud of myself. Very Haute Couture.

I attended Laura's sewing classes for over 2 years and she taught me everything as I was a true beginner when I first started! Laura is super patient and has a solution for every problem you may encounter in your project. She is also great at helping you pick a pattern, or a fabric based on your sewing skills, or even a sewing machine if you want to buy one to practice at home. I highly recommend her classes that are intimate (no more than 3 students).

Nice work atmosphere to work at site.

I highly recommend Sew New York! I came with a little bit of experience, and have learned so much. I took a few other classes around town, but the small class size and individual learning style with Laura makes skills stick in comparison to a larger class size format. Since I have been studying with Laura, I made a gorgeous pencil skirt, a finely tailored boucle wool jacket, and a lightweight summer shift dress. Each class has a total of 3 students, all of whom are working on different projects. As a result, you can go as slowly or as quickly as you need. Laura guides you through the techniques, allowing you to learn as you go, and is always there to help when you have a question or need guidance. My confidence sewing has grown enormously.
Laura's skill level is amazing. You can tell she has a passion for the subject matter and that she really enjoys teaching others. She has a pleasant, open manner, and makes you feel comfortable day one.
For most of your projects, you will pick out and purchase your fabric and trimmings - but all the equipment you need (sewing machines, needles, iron, scissors, etc.) are available at the class. For that reason, if you want to try out sewing, this is a great opportunity to do so without needing to invest in all the tools. If you enjoy it and want to keep at it, you may want to have the tools at home so you can work on your projects between classes.
Best of all, it's two hours of your week where you are able to focus on something other than work and home, and can zen out while creating something beautiful that will fit you perfectly. I refer to it as "my therapy, but with outfits".
An added bonus - the other people in the class have been terrific, and I've been able to make some good friends along the way.

I absolutely loved taking sewing classes with Laura! I came to her with essentially no knowledge of sewing (despite having attempted other sewing classes in the past) and left with the ability to sew and make garments on my own! Pretty empowering. Laura is a thorough and patient teacher and just really fun to be around. After giving me a detailed intro of sewing terms and tools, different hems, fabrics, etc., she walked me through, step by step, how to use a pattern to make a beautifully tailored skirt (using both hand stitching and a sewing machine.) This is no amateur skirt - it's one that I am proud to wear and show off. It's been several months since I was last able to take a class with Laura and I can honestly say that all of the skills she taught me have stuck with me - evidence of how fantastic a teacher she is!

The small group class size (there were a total of three students, including myself) was perfect and Laura gave us plenty of individual attention when needed and was always happy to answer our many questions. I found the classes very therapeutic and relaxing. I simply can't say enough great things about Laura - she's an exceptional teacher and a wonderful person and I would recommend her classes to anyone who wants to learn how to sew and pick up a new craft.

I've been taking classes with Laura McCracken at Sew New York for about 2.5 years and I couldn't be happier with my experience.

Laura is patient and supportive through every step of the process, which is essential for beginners and for even more advanced students, as sewing can often be quite tricky at times.

Her classes are intimate and small (2 people per session), so she can keep a keen eye on how each student is progressing and move them along at a steady pace.

The location of her classes is perfectly situated next to a number of trains in Brooklyn Heights, so it's super easy to get to and from.

Each garment I've produced in her classes are beautiful and expertly made, and I mostly attribute that to Laura's vast knowledge and experience with sewing, and her excellence as a teacher. She's simply the best there is!

Laura's sewing classes are not your average learn-to-sew-a-tote-bag classes. She teaches you skills you can use to make future garments, like darts, hand stitches, and various hem stitches, as you create a garment you will really want to wear. She teaches you how to insert a sleeve, decipher a pattern, and make a pattern fit YOU. Pricing is fair, the classes are casual, and with two people per class, you get one-on-one attention and work on your own project at your own pace. Laura also helps you decide what fabric might work with your project, where to shop for fabrics and notions, and differences between fabrics (she has a fibers background). The fact that many of her students have been sewing with her for 2+ years speaks for itself. I had some sewing experience prior to Laura's classes, but she has brought my skill level much, much higher to the point where people are amazed that I made a particular garment. I have had no problem applying what I've learned to projects I work on at home on my own, and if I run into questions or issues, Laura patiently explains and assists.