About Us

We teach sewing and related techniques to teens and adults. Our goals include: developing technical, creative, and entrepreneurial, and cultivating arts-based STEM.

Stitch Masters Sewing School is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Who Are We

Founded by a former university lecturer and longtime clothing designer, Stitch Masters Sewing School Provides a scaffolded learning program to bring beginners to mastery. We cover sewing, textile science, pattern making, fitting, dyeing, surface design, and more, from brand new learner to expert

Who We Serve

Teens

We give teens a head start into STEM careers by providing a framework to learn:

  • Algebra and Geometry
  • 2D to 3D Visualization and Modeling
  • Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Design Thinking

Career Training For Adults

Providing adults with the skills to succeed in American job markets, including:

  • Fitting and Alterations
  • Costume Making/ Wardrobe Management
  • Transforming traditional techniques into marketable art-fair goods
  • Marketing and Entrepreneurship

General Public

Teaching Sewing to everyone who is interested in learning the process of creation. Cosplayers, quilters, university students, and brand new beginners will all find helpful classes.

What People Say

Comments from adult learners:

  • “I learned more tonight that I have in 15 hours of YouTube”
  • “I am definitely no longer terrified!”
  • “Colleen is the rare type of teacher that meets each student wherever they are skill wise and gently and gently guides them forward on their sewing journey. She welcomes all questions without judgement and fosters an atmosphere of acceptance.

Take a class. Learn something new. Become a Master.

If you would like to download our virtual brochure click here.

Board of Directors

Ann Aas (President)
Enamel jewelry artist and owner of Ann Made in Minnesota, an enamel jewelry business.

Rebecca Baldini (VP)
Baldini spent 10 years in the bridal industry as the owner-operator of Lauren & Company Fine Bridals in Keene, NH. A career change led to a music degree and Montessori certification. She served as the integrated arts director at the Montessori Schoolhouse of Cheshire County (NH) before taking on a lead teacher position in a classroom of 3-6 year olds. She currently teaches at Hilltop Montessori School in Brattleboro, VT and runs a fledgling string program there. She is a founder and board member of the Keene Community Music Center and is a freelance harpist for local orchestras, events, and musical theater.

Kara Weeks (Secretary)
Tailor in costume industry, Atlanta, GA

Mark Kahn (Treasurer)
Consultant providing financial analysis, project management, and real estate

Alexis Alcala
Marketing Consultant for Simon Says Lead, full time student

Lauren Causey
Director of Research Programs at Augsburg University

Graciela Uribe
is a mother to one preteen daughter, and a retired US Army Veteran. She graduated from college with a focus on Psychology and American Indian Studies, currently putting her degree to work at the VA hospital. Grace is Mexican and an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, and is enthusiastically learning to sew.

Maria Vittone
has been working as a higher education professional for 20+ years. She is currently working in career and technical education and loving it. Right now, Maria is at Hennepin Technical College, where she developed gender equity programs for men in caring fields and women in STEM. Maria doesn’t yet sew, but wishes she could!

Executive Director Colleen Kahn
I learned to sew as a child through 4-H. I never won a big prize but I did learn how to make beautiful things through sheer repetition. Realizing I loved creating clothing, I earned degrees in Clothing Design from College of St. Catherine and London College of Fashion. Over the years I completed additional training/had extensive practice in bridal, men’s tailoring, millinery, costume making, alterations, dyeing, surface design, and more.

I realized that I loved teaching as much as sewing, so earned advanced degrees from the University of Minnesota. With those, I taught university-level coursework in Clothing Design for several years. After family demands made faculty work difficult, I worked for several additional years with community-based leadership programming.

I’ve tried just about everything you can do with a sewing machine, from upholstering sailboats to fine lingerie, sewing padded costumes and draperies, quilting and home decorating. My favorites are the pretty dresses but I love any chance to learn something new.

Retired Board Members

Noted here with our eternal thanks for their role in getting us started:

Cynthia Arnold
Retired, Chief Technical Officer at Valspar

Suzanne Hendricks
Retired Professor, St. Catherine University