A nonprofit, community sewing center in St. Louis, Missouri
THE BEGINNING
Opened in 2016 as a gathering place for all those who love stitching and sharing. Modeled after the quilting bees of old when women came together, not just to sew a quilt, but to share; share their home life, neighborhood news, discuss events, and encourage one another. A novel idea at the time, built on the premise of “if you build it, they will come”.
And come they did!
TODAY
In 2020 we incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit, carrying on the mission of stitching, learning and sharing.
This has increased our community spirit with more volunteers and donations.
Regularly teaching 30 youth and 30+ adults every week.
Receiving sewing and fabric donations of 400 pounds a week – yes 400 pounds a week!
These donations are used by students, given to charities and sold for $2/pound to the public through our Maker's Mart.
MEET OUR TEAM
Anne was a nurse in her previous life, but realized that she really should have been a costumer, so went back to school at the age of 50 to get a degree in costume design! Soon afterward she opened City Sewing Room so she could sew with friends. And so she does! Every day, meeting new people and making new friends.
With over a decade of teaching experience as a public school music educator, Dorothy came to City Sewing Room in January 2022 to teach sewing classes. She has been sewing since she was a teenager, and learned from her mom, aunt, and friends over the years. Dorothy is our resident cat-lover and teaches beginner classes both on and off site!
Olivia Rae Davis
Guest Instructor
An up-and-coming fashion designer, Olivia loves to teach all levels! Founder of the ORD Academy, a 501c(3) non-profit located in St. Louis, Missouri, Olivia has teamed up with CSR to offer sewing skills for all levels.
Sign up for her classes, which are found on her website!
Anne is our resident quilting expert! Member of Thimble & Thread Quilt Guild and ruler of our Bernina Q24 long arm quilter, Anne lends her expertise to teach classes in long arm quilting and quilt piecing.
Allison Platt Thien
Sewing Society STL
Founder of the Sewing Society of St. Louis, Allison welcomes all to come together to learn and grow their sewing skills. Sewing Society STL is a group for sewists of ALL levels! Check out her Facebook page or Instagram to stay up to date on all their events! And, be sure to sign up for one while you're there!
*Don't have social media? No problem! Email Allison instead at sewingsocietystl@gmail.com
Wisen machine guru that she is, Nita can diagnose and treat your sewing machine problems! Owner of Sew Happy Sewing Machine Repair, Nita keeps our machines running smoothly. If you're looking for a machine tune-up, give her a shout!
A fashion shoe designer, Michelle enjoys coming in to teach specialty classes from dog beds to t-shirt quilts. Watch for her classes on our social media accounts!
New Teaching Partners Welcome!
Interested in becoming a teaching partner?
Check out our Giving Page
or contact us for more info at info@citysewingroom.org
BOARD MEMBERS
Anne Pokoski
Gemologist, seamstress extraordinaire
Morgan Epperson
Pattern maker, Weissman Dancewear
Rene Howard
Jack of all trades in sewing
Kacie Starr Long
Executive Director, Sew Hope Sewing Room
Looking forward to seeing you
Tuesday-Thursday:
12pm - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday:
12pm - 4pm
