Tchad

Echoing what everyone else has already said… sewing classes here are a delight! It’s for anyone, whether you have used a sewing machine before or not. I’d never worked with patterns or even known how to thread a machine and the instructor encourages you and challenges you all the time. I met some wonderful people and enjoyed many interesting conversations! Highly recommend!

If you are somehow able to get an answer from them — then I am sure that the experience would be great. I left at least 2 voicemails, sent 3 emails and one FB post — to no avail — 3 weeks later. The other reviews seem great but they must be really busy so I won’t be trying out their services.

Tchad’s classes are fabulous. As others have mentioned, he is truly a great find, a hidden gem, a unique individual and a wonderful teacher. My 14 year old daughter wanted to learn to sew. She is hard to fit «off-​the-​rack» and perhaps wanted to learn to make her own clothes. She has LOVED the last two sessions she has taken with Tchad. He has been wonderful with her and very flexible with her busy high school schedule. She has called him from the fabric store more than once and he is quick to respond with great advise. He seems to be a knowledgeable and caring person and his studio is bright and sunny. My daughter says the «vibe» is really nice. We’re so glad to have found Tchad.

Great sewing classes! Tchad is a great and very patient teacher; the 3 hours of class just fly by. He will always adjust his teaching to your level, and will answer your questions, no matter how stupid they are. :) I would recommend these sewing classes to anyone!

I have taken two 10-​week classes with Tchad so far and have learned a ton. I was a beginner before taking his classes, and now I feel comfortable enough to sew with knits and create simple patterns that match my clothing designs. You will learn much more with him than at any sewing class you take at the Needle Shop or Lillstreet Art Center.
Tchad is very knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and fun. He is also very flexible, which really comes in handy while taking a ten week class. Since he has classes almost every day, if you cannot come to class on your regularly scheduled day, you can almost always come in on another day that week or another week to make up the time.
Tchad is also flexible in that he allows students to make virtually anything they want according to their skill level — as opposed to a class where everyone makes an apron or a pillow. This way you are more motivated to complete a project and are able to work at your own pace without feeling the pressure to keep up with others in the class.
Great for all skill levels!

Tchad Elliott may quite possibly be the best sewing and design instructor in the nation! He definitely has helped me to complete sewing projects and answer any and all questions surrounding the proper way to construct fashionable clothing. His workroom is state of the art with plenty of space to set your sewing machine or use one of his numerous machines. He even has a great leather machine and several industrial strength machines that will sew any material from silk to sailcloth. If you have a project that you’ve been dreaming of completing but can never find the time, I would recommend signing up for one of Tchad’s classes and getting it done with lots of helpful guidance from a professional designer who really seems to know the answer! Soon you’ll be designing and completing garments that you can and will wear with confidence. I have taken several quarter long classes and will be taking more as it enables me to actually get things done when I show up to class each week.

As a person interested in sewing and design, but who lacked the knowledge of how to work with patterns or get the most use out of a sewing machine — I was looking for a class that would suit my needs. I felt the offerings at other local venues were more geared towards making a pillow or simple projects and lacked the one-​on-​one guidance and detail I knew I would need.
All that to say that Tchad’s classes are fantastic. They are just what I was looking for. His classes are not pillow-​making; they are sewing and garment instruction. I feel like I am in a college class, not a weekend art project. The introductory class is perfect for people of all skill levels — even someone like me who has some sewing experience can really learn more.
The studio space is great to work in — and the small class sizes make it easy to spread out and focus on projects. I am thrilled that I found these classes — tchad is a hidden gem.

I have just reached the middlepoint of my second set of 10 classes with Tchad and I am already sad the class has to end. As other reviewers have indicated, Tchad’s instruction is perfect for a novice, intermediate, or (as I have observed not experienced) an advanced sewer. Tchad adeptly juggles the different skills of each of his clients while peppering the class with hilarity. The three hours fly by and each time I leave I am beaming with pride because I am that much closer to a finished garment. Email him for the schedule for the next set of classes, just don’t take my space in the next class!

Tchad has expanded and redone his studio and it’s now bigger, brighter, and even more beautiful. I’m now in my fourth round of classes with him and they just keep getting better. As far as I can tell, his knowledge of garment construction (or just about anything DIY) is encyclopaedic and his patience nearly boundless. A warning to potential students though: you will become completely addicted to making your own chic, custom-​fitted clothing and find yourself spending too much time at fabric stores.

Tchad is the absolute best. The classes are small, the workspace is great for learning, and Tchad is amazing. With his down to earth and funny personality, Tchad creates an unintimidating environment where you can relax, and enjoy learning. I love that Tchad not only teaches the technique, but also explains why you are doing something, so your more likely to remember it for future use. Finally, I feel like I am making something that won’t look like I made it. I can’t imagine going any place else.
I wrote the above review after my first set of classes with Tchad, now on my third. At first I made a simple wrap dress, then a lined skirt, now I am making a lined jacket. He taught me how to alter patterns to fit me and with those skills I altered a pattern on my own and made something I wore out! He is the absolute BEST and worth every cent.

Tchad Elliott’s sewing classes are simply AWESOME! I have been taking the classes for 3 seasons now, and continuing, and I am very pleased with his teaching and the workroom. Tchad teaches from Beginner to Advanced sewers. Not need to own a sewing machine since all the equipment is provided in his workroom.
I think the best part is that I can create my very own custom projects (whether it’s a dress, a skirt, a suit, a vest, a shirt, a coat, designer jeans, or a costume). I choose to build a collection, while others in the class choose to work on patterns and adapt it for a perfect-​fit, or for wearing a fabric or color they love, some just for the pleasure & knowledge of making their own clothes, or making clothes for others. + Tchad only limits to 5 students per class, so that it’s more enjoyable for everyone. To contact him call, email
, or call 773−680−5914, and his site is

Tchad is awesome. He teaches his classes in his working studio, so you’re surrounded by his designs and can make use of his tools, and it’s a relaxed, fun environment. He’s a great teacher– he pays close attention to how you’re doing, whether you’re really getting it or not, and he tailors his instruction to meet you at your level. You’ll get a lot of individual attention in his classes, and he is patient with even your most idiotic mistakes. He’s very generous with his time, and very flexible. He seems to take delight in people doing well, which is a sign of a truly good teacher.
His course may seem expensive, but if you can swing it all, it’s worth it. I don’t have a ton of money, but to me it’s an investment in the basic skills, to get me started. You can’t learn like this from a book or a fabric store class. Although it’s so much fun and I’m learning so much that I think I’ll probably end up digging up the money to take another course.
Oh yeah– Tchad is also hilarious. He will entertain you with amusing anecdotes and his slightly cracked sense of humor.

Love, love, loved Thcad’s class! My friend recommended him to me, and I have recommended him to all of my friends.
It was worth every penny. I went from not being able to thread my sewing machine to actually making my own clothes from a pattern. And it was super fun just hanging out.
The best part is that he customized it to each person’s skillset, goals and level. So I could take the same class again, and have a completely different experience.
:)