Let me start with what's good - they carry quality machines, quality fabric, and quality goods. They have a large selection of sewing machines that are of high quality and definitely for the professional. If you wanted to start a business, run a business that needed their wares, etc, I would think this would be an excellent place to go.
Now for the bad - I am new to sewing. I have never used a machine or sewn a button. I signed up for a beginning sewing class (2 sessions). I signed my son up for their beginning kids sewing camp (5 days), which also came with a Janome Home sewing machine as part of the package. I had already received a Singer Stylist sewing machine for Christmas. I figured this would be a good experience for both of us, and we'd walk away with enough knowledge to get started.
First off, I was instructed NOT to bring my machine and that I would learn on theirs. The first day of class we were taught nothing about the machines. We did not learn about thread, bobbins, how to thread, how to thread a bobbin, or anything even relating to that. The machines were pre-set-up and ready to sew. Next, we used a pattern. We did not learn how to take measurements or customize. The patterns were for standard sizes and only one person in the class fit those standard sizes. We were shown how to adjust the pattern in a general way, but not how to adjust it to our own size and shape.
Next, we were to start sewing. There were no practice seams, no discussion of different types of seams, and no explanation of the why in which we did anything. Pinking sheers were not used. No, instead a serger was set up in the middle of the room and each student took a turn running their pants through the serger. This means little room for error on a first time job for a beginner with a pattern that has no guarantee of fitting. Great. Not to mention, I had come to learn how to sew, not serge.
We then used the provided sewing machine to finish the project. And that was it. We did not try them on. We did not find out if they fit. We did not find out if they needed to be adjusted. Nor did we find out how to do any of these things should we need to. I ended up with a pair of pants that were so big they could not even stay up. When I went back for my son's class, I was asked how they came out. I told the instructor. She said they were supposed to be big. I said, they don't even stay on. She said to just rip out the seams and start over. Really??? How??? We never learned anything about how to do that.
My son's class was better, but had equal levels of frustration. First, parents were not allowed to sit in with their son/daughter (very different from other places I have since tried), so if you didn't know what they were learning, you certainly would not be able to help them later. Next, just like before, there was no real instruction on how to thread the machine, the bobbin, etc. They did a demo and that was it, without ensuring the children could do it themselves. The end result was that my son thought he could do it, until he got home and found it was extraordinarily difficult (as did I - it took a good hour to figure out the vertically placed bobbin in a slippery housing, unlike the drop-in on my singer, which would have been more appropriate for a first time learner, especially kids).
Next, the projects and fabrics: One of the projects the kids did was a lipstick holder. Really??? You have boys in the class and this is what you choose? My son was really annoyed. I told him not to worry though, he could make one for me or his nana or someone else. He did. Too bad it was so small it didn't fit a lipstick. One of the bigger projects they did that week was a sewing machine cover. However, there were apparently "boy" fabrics and "girl" fabrics. The boy fabrics of course were the usual blacks, browns, navys, grays and other ugly dull colors. My son asked his instructor for other fabric, but he was told these were the choices she had made. He was horribly disappointed to have worked 4 hours and make a cover for his new machine out of fabric he absolutely despises.
The end result of the class was that my son does know how to sew a few things, but he doesn't know how to thread his machine and the thing is an absolute nightmare to thread. I am personally regretting not getting him the much easier to use Singer. He actually really enjoyed the sewing and wants to do more projects, but he never wants to go back to the classes at the Sewing Source. I can't say my feelings are any different and are perhaps even more negative than his.
We have since taken classes at other places. The other places we went were excellent. They taught us how to use our machines; explained to us the difference in threads, needles, seams, techniques, etc, and we learned how to sew complete projects using our machines.
My verdict - this is fine for materials and professional, but don't come here to learn. They really just want to sell you stuff; that's it. read more
