Our Story
Making sewing more accessible than ever.
The New York Sewing Center was founded by Kristine Frailing in 2014 and has grown into one of the largest and most inspiring sewing schools in the country, with locations in Manhattan's Garment District, Williamsburg (BK), and Montclair (NJ), as well as virtual classes available nationwide.
Built on the belief that sewing should be accessible, empowering, and fun, the school offers everything from beginner classes to advanced fashion workshops — all led by a team of talented, creative, and passionate instructors.
Our diverse group of teachers includes fashion designers, tailors, artists, and industry professionals who bring expertise, warmth, and inspiration into every classroom. Together, we’re not only teaching people how to sew — we’re creating a vibrant community where creativity thrives and fashion dreams come to life!
A new chapter with Barbara Corcoran.
This April, we proudly welcomed Barbara Corcoran as a business partner and strategic advisor to The New York Sewing Center. Together, we’re embarking on an exciting new chapter as we expand our mission of making high-quality sewing and fashion education accessible across the country. With Barbara’s guidance and our incredible community behind us, we’re preparing to bring The New York Sewing Center to new cities, launch innovative programs, and inspire the next generation of makers. This is just the beginning—and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
Instructor Spotlight
Meet our instructors! They’re here to guide you from the start, no experience needed.
Anastasia has a background in fine arts and a BFA in Fashion Design from Otis Collage of Art and Design. She is passionate about understanding how culture is shaped by art and fashion. Currently she is a resident in The New York Sewing Center's Designer Membership Program, working on her own collection. She is especially inspired by corset design and couture dressmaking.
Anna is an independent fashion designer who has been sewing for over 15 years. She is passionate about garment construction, alterations, sustainable design, and creative problem-solving. Anna previously worked as a bridal designer specializing in custom garments and alterations. She loves sharing her passion for sewing and helping students build confidence through the creative process.
Chelsee has over 10 years of sewing experience and holds a BFA in Fashion Design. She is passionate about garment construction, product development, and helping students bring their ideas to life. Chelsee previously worked with contemporary fashion brands including Theory, Veronica Beard, and Helmut Lang before joining The New York Sewing Center. She enjoys making the sewing process approachable, creative, and fun.
Elizabeth is a costume designer with 14+ years of sewing experience. She studied fashion design for three years through ACC programs in Texas, then moved to NYC to receive her BFA in Costume Design from Pace. Elizabeth works on Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, and in TV/film. Her speciality in sewing lies in alterations, up-cycling, and hand sewing techniques.
Julia is a textile and fiber artist who has been sewing since childhood and teaching since 2019. She is passionate about sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, embroidery, and sustainable textile practices. Julia has worked in production with independent fashion designers and launched her own brand in 2024. She enjoys creating a welcoming environment where students can learn, experiment, and grow their confidence.
June studied Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and has been sewing for over 15 years. She is passionate about machine sewing, pattern making, embroidery, and crochet. June previously taught children's sewing classes in Los Angeles and has worked as a seamstress in New York. She enjoys helping students build confidence while developing new creative skills.
Mary brings a lifetime of sewing experience and over twenty years in the fashion industry, working with luxury brands including Carolina Herrera and Zac Posen. She is passionate about garment construction, couture sewing techniques, and creative problem-solving. Mary enjoys helping students build strong technical skills while finding the best solution to any sewing challenge. She also loves knitting, quilting, and exploring a variety of fiber arts.
Michaela is a fashion designer with a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from Jefferson University. She is passionate about garment construction, creative problem-solving, and bringing ideas to life through sewing. Michaela has five years of experience in the fashion industry working with brands including Anthropologie, Roxy, and Timberland. She enjoys helping students build confidence while exploring their creativity through sewing.
Wiola is a fashion designer with 15 years of sewing experience and a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is passionate about upcycling, alterations, and garment reconstruction. Wiola enjoys solving complex sewing challenges and finding creative solutions through thoughtful design. She believes sewing should be approachable, enjoyable, and accessible to everyone.
Meredith is an expert in Sustainable Fashion with extensive knowledge about textiles and industry practices. She has over a decade of experience designing woven sportswear and outerwear for brands. Meredith has undergraduate degrees in Fashion Design (FIT), and Communications, and a Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy. She excels at sewing, pattern drafting and fashion illustration (hand and CAD); and loves getting students excited about slow fashion and self-repair!
Laryssa is a graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology specializing in special occasion/evening wear. Started sewing at 9 years old; following in her grandmother's footsteps as a seamstress. She often refers to her work as "Ready to wear with a couture twist". Laryssa enjoys creating her exclusive one of a kind pieces & teaching/networking with others who are also just as passionate for fashion.
Emily holds a degree in Fashion Design from Savannah College of Art and Design and has over ten years of experience as a technical designer and pattern maker. She is passionate about garment construction, pattern making, and helping students build confidence through sewing. Emily has taught pattern making and sewing at the High School of Fashion Industries in New York. She enjoys making complex techniques approachable and empowering students to create with confidence.
Heather has been working in the theatrical costume industry for over 16 years as a designer and maker. She works in the costume department at the Metropolitan Opera and has an MFA in Costume Design from the University of Connecticut. Sewing from a young age, she loves the challenge of taking an idea from an image to a real garment. In addition to sewing, Heather enjoys knitting, cross-stitch, and various other crafty endeavors.
Melanie is a fashion designer and crafter, and has been her whole life. She has been sewing since she was 10 years old and crafting shortly before that. She recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design and Textiles from SUNY Oneonta and presented 3 couture collections in her undergrad. Her favorite part of sewing is draping and the creative problem solving that comes with it!
Elizabeth has been sewing since childhood and has a background in theatre and costume design. She is passionate about costume construction, sustainability, and giving garments a second life through mending and alterations. Elizabeth has designed costumes for over 25 productions and enjoys sharing her knowledge with students. She also loves crochet, embroidery, and a wide variety of fiber arts.
Amy has a background in theatre costume design and construction and holds an MFA in Costume Design from Illinois State University. She is passionate about garment construction, pattern making, costume design, and fashion history. Amy gained professional experience in Broadway costume construction before joining The New York Sewing Center. She has grown through the years to become the head manager of the Garment District location.
Emily has been sewing since she was a child and holds a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising. She is passionate about pattern making, garment construction, and helping students discover the creativity and confidence that come with sewing. Emily loves teaching a skill she has dedicated her life to and enjoys watching students grow with every project. She is proud to be part of The New York Sewing Center and its welcoming creative community.
Chloe is a lifelong knitter and crafter who learned to sew while studying Costume Design for Theatre at Knox College. She is passionate about teaching and helping students build confidence through sewing and fiber arts. Chloe has been teaching at The New York Sewing Center since 2017 and now also serves in a management role, leading and supporting the teaching staff. She specializes in knitting and beginner sewing classes and enjoys designing and creating her own wardrobe.
Emily has been sewing and knitting for over 15 years and is the founder of Goldfinch Textile Studio, a line of zero and minimal-waste sewing patterns. She is passionate about garment construction, sustainable sewing, and helping students create clothing they love. Emily enjoys making sewing approachable through clear instruction and thoughtful pattern design. She loves helping students build the skills and confidence to create their dream wardrobes.
Fabian is a New York-based fashion designer with over a decade of experience in design, garment construction, and production. He is passionate about eveningwear, luxury garments, and craftsmanship. Fabian has taught at FIT, Parsons, and The High School of Fashion Industries, helping students build strong creative and technical skills. He enjoys inspiring the next generation of designers through thoughtful instruction and innovation.
Finnley (they/them) is a mixed media artist and educator specializing in the fiber arts. Their work includes plush design, quilting, and embroidery. They are a recent graduate of Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA with a BFA in Arts Education.
Jacqueline is a lifelong crochet artist with over 20 years of experience and a background in fine art and education. She is passionate about crochet, fiber arts, and helping students develop their own creative style. Jacqueline enjoys teaching both traditional techniques and modern designs while encouraging creativity through every project. She loves helping students build the skills to create wearable art, home décor, and sculptural fiber pieces.
Jenn began sewing at the age of 7 and nurtured her love of fashion design through college. She graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and has previously worked as a Bridal design assistant and alterations specialist. She is also the founder of a custom bridal company located in NYC. Jenn is excited to share her knowledge and help others fall in love with sewing and design.
Jillian is a Fashion Design graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a concentration in intimate apparel. She is passionate about fine fabrics, embellishment techniques, and upcycling. Jillian enjoys helping beginners build confidence while creating garments they love to wear. She especially enjoys bringing creative ideas to life through sewing.
Jules (they/them) is a professional tailor and sewing teacher. Their work can be seen everywhere from the Met Gala red carpet to the Radio City Rockettes, and their clients include Kim Kardashian, Rachel Brosnahan, and Kerry Washington. Jules has been teaching sewing and mending for six years. They love to rescue well-loved pieces of clothing with beautiful mending and alter pieces for the perfect fit to suit each person.
Sara learned to sew at a young age and has a background in education, with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is passionate about garment sewing, upcycling, hand embroidery, and creative costume making. Sara loves combining her passion for sewing with teaching at The New York Sewing Center. She enjoys helping students of all experience levels grow their skills with patience and creativity.
Carlie is a fashion professional with a lifelong passion for sewing and design. She studied Fashion Business at LIM College and Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Carlie is a celebrity tailor who enjoys helping beginner students build a strong foundation in garment construction through private lessons. She is passionate about helping students develop their skills and bring their creative ideas to life.
Kaylee has been sewing since childhood and holds a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Communications. She is passionate about ready-to-wear design and drawing inspiration from historical fashion. Kaylee enjoys creating her own collections while helping students build confidence through sewing. She loves sharing her creativity and making fashion design approachable for beginners.
Julian is an arts educator and sustainable fashion designer specializing in upcycling and textile arts. He is the founder of The BAD JUJU Design, a brand dedicated to transforming thrifted and pre-loved fabrics into new designs. Julian's work has been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and he shares his passion for sustainable fashion with nearly half a million followers across social media. He enjoys helping students explore creativity while making fashion more sustainable and accessible.
Marcel is a technical pattern maker with an Apparel Design certification from the High School of Fashion Industries and a degree in Product Development in Textile Technology from Buffalo State College. He is passionate about pattern making, garment construction, and creative design challenges. Marcel was the winner of Buffalo State's 2021 Runway Program and enjoys helping students build strong technical sewing skills.
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