PDX Seamsters

4 classes and I am a rock star sewer! Okay, I at least feel like a rock star after having altered a shirt and a coat in my 4TH sewing class ever!
I have learned SO much! The first class — before which I’d had NO instruction — was a large one. While it was busy and I sometimes fell behind, Jim was always able to take one look at what I was doing and catch me up and/​or fix it. The most recent class was with a small, cozy group. They have a flexible schedule, are generous with rescheduling options, and offer both series and individual classes. Each class you leave with something you’ve made while learning basic stitches and methods. Brilliant instruction, fun people, great place.

If you’re looking for a low-​key actual «beginners class» then find somebody’s grandma, I would not recommend this place. I went in and it was a packed class with one teacher and students of varying levels of skill, so at certain points I and a few others were left behind because the pace of the class was way too rushed. Genuine concern for your success and joy for the craft were missing and I didn’t pay to feel like a burden or for a fast-​food sewing experience. The classes should be limited in size and they should have more than 1 person on hand for questions.
Oh and if you’re not happy with the classes, you are out of luck… as it it non-​refundable! The economy is bad people and if you can’t have some respect and courtesy for people willing to spend their hard earned money to support your small business and to teach a crafting skill with pleasure, then I’ll be sure to spread the word that this place sucks!

Great class, great instructors. Also, very nice business b/​c they let several of us use expired Groupons. I learned so much practical info in four short weeks. Run, don’t walk, and sign up for a class with this class act.

Before taking the Get Up and Sew Beginner series at PDX Seamsters, I knew completely ZILCH about sewing. I seriously spent the first half of class using the foot pedal backwards. Inspite of being extremely nervous, Jim and his assistant (I can’t recall her name, unfortunately) were very helpful and patient. Most of the people in my class at least have had some prior minimum sewing experience, but the instructor made me totally feel at ease for starting at square 1… or 0.
For those who are total newbs like me and take the first of the beginner 4 part series, I just wanted to mention that the instructions initially do seem really overwhelming and brusquely described. But, Jim and his assistant do come around and make sure everyone has done the step before moving on. That’s pretty much the structure of the class. They described what the next step entails and what you are supposed to do and then they come around and assist you if needed. After the class, you get used to the swing of things and it’s a bit of a breeze. Also, I wanted to add that Jim has a really funny sense of humor, too. The 3 hour class goes by so quickly and I love that you complete a small project after each class, such as a pillow pouch, pencil bag, drawstring bag, etc. It’s a great starting point for other crafty projects at home.
Thank you, PDX Seamsters, Jim and the sewing crew! These classes have definitely piqued my interest and given me confidence in pursuing sewing further! I’ve recently bought a new sewing machine for future endeavors. I’m looking forward to the intermediate classes!

I was rather frightened of the whole sewing concept, I could handle flat things onto other flat things, but that’s about it. Jim was a fantastic teacher for the beginner classes, very patient and attentive to every student. I enjoyed my lessons with Emily as well for the slightly more advanced, pattern related portions. I got lucky enough to be the only one who made it to a pre holiday session except a staff student and I have to say it was really fun, now I want to save up for private lessons!

I bought the first groupon pdx seamsters put out a few months ago. I just took my second class in the 4-​class beginner series on Saturday. I’ve had a great experience thus far and have loved both of my class. I think the skills that I have been taught are perfect for a beginner and the classes are FUN! The 3 hours absolutely fly by because you are in such deep concentration. Or at least I am! ha.
I did miss a class and wasn’t aware that I needed to give at least 24 hour notice to reschedule without a fee. So I did have to pay an additional $ 23 to retake one class. No big deal, I understand that I took a spot that another student could have taken. Just keep that in mind if you can’t make a class.
The people that work at PDX seamsters are EXTREMELY helpful in making sure that you get the exact schedule that fits with your life, which is SO nice. I’m a stay at home mom and can’t just go to classes when I feel like it. I really think they go above and beyond in scheduling to make sure their classes meet the needs of your schedule.
After two classes I feel a lot more accomplished at sewing and like I can sit down and actually make something on my own.

Went to a machine basics class a couple days ago and it was great. Jim was our instructor and he was very knowledgable and made sure everyone kept up. Class started right on time even though there were a couple late arrivals. I learned a couple of great tricks to help in my sewing and can’t wait for my next two classes.

I haven’t taken any classes here, but I have taken advantage of their open studio time with a craft group. The studio space is fantastic. Roomy and well lit with everything you need to work on whatever sewing project you bring in. Sewing machine rental is cheap, and the machines available are in great condition. Everyone here is very friendly and if I lived a little closer I would be here a lot more. There’s something great about such a lovely space like this dedicated to sewing that really inspires you to work on that sewing project you just can’t seem to finish (still worth a 45 minute bus ride each way occasionally!)

I’ve taken a class at PDX Seamsters in addition to participating in the «Overlock Lounge» they hold every Friday. First of all, I signed up and paid for my «Sewing with Knits» class online, which was extremely convenient. I found that the instruction was very personalized– tailored to my skill as a «Seamster» (POOR) and the type of knit I was interested in (imitation american apparel v-​necks all the way). Their classes are generally pretty small– I think they top out at 6– so I feel that you’re always able to ask tons of questions.
Since then, I’ve participated in their incredibly cheap «Overlock Lounge,» which is an opportunity to use their sewing studio space for $ 5 (machine rental is an add’tl $ 5) for 4 hours. They have giant tables perfect for tracing and cutting patterns, tons of pressing equipment I have no desire to invest in (high-​end irons, sewing hams, etc), and industrial sewing equipment and sergers.
The best part is that you’re surrounded by sewing experts that you can turn to when you’re stuck on a project and have questions. I’ve learned so much about sewing from the owners Jim & Emily as well as the rest of the staff, and they’ve never given me what I’ll call a «bike shop» feeling where your question is answered while you’re passive aggressively put down. As someone with very little friends interested in sewing, it’s inspiring being surrounded by people who can actually COMPLETE projects and make them look GOOD. The hours of the business & overlock lounge have changed a couple times in the past few months, so I would check their website for details. They also have a $ 5 sewing session one Saturday a month offered through
.
Another great thing about PDX Seamsters is that they sell cheap fabric in their shop. The only other fabric place in central SE is Cool Cottons on SE Hawthorne, and the lowest priced fabric there is $ 6 a yard. PDX Seamsters offers a small selection cool vintage and modern fabrics priced extremely well as well as a handful of sewing essentials– seam rippers and whatnot. It’s much more convenient than heading all the way to Fabric Depot for a couple buttons.

Sorry if this is a duplicate. For some reason my original review was not showing up!
I have taken several classes here, both beginner and intermediate. They have all been very good. I have learned many tips and tricks that I have been able to apply outside of class to my home projects. Emily is a great teacher with a ton of experience which she is glad to share. As far as my favorite classes, I especially got a lot out of the ‘stretch fabrics’ course. The schedule offers convenient class times and the prices are reasonable.
I also really like the Overlock Lounge social sewing. A couple places have open sewing events, but theirs includes music and the price is great!

Review for PDX Seamsters, also known as M Horton Custom Sewing.
I went to PDX Seamsters because I wanted to learn more about clothing alteration. I was told that I was first required to take the beginners class, even though I stated that I had the skills that the class taught. When I took it I didn’t learn much, but did ask a few questions that I thought were basic, and the response I received was that this information would be covered in another class.
So I took another class for basic alterations and hemming, a class which claims to help you become more «DIY» self sufficient. I arrived early, just to have the class begin 20 minutes after it was scheduled to begin. I brought 2 – 3 items to alter as the advertisement said to, and didn’t get anything properly altered and learned nothing: when I asked how to measure something to alter it, I was told that it is nearly impossible to do on one’s own, and to come into the shop for a measurement, for which I would be charged a fee. I finally finished a skirt hem, and it looked terrible. I had to wait 20 minutes between each instruction on what to do. Emphasis on WHAT, because I was told WHAT to do, rather than why I was doing it or what it achieved. Then, half an hour before the class was over, I was instructed to dismantle another garment. I thought there would be time to finish altering it, but after waiting for instruction (yet another 20 minutes) on what to do next, the class was over, promptly at its scheduled time. When I asked for resolution, I was told I could sign up for another class (pay more) to finish my garment.
On the bright side, most of the people there are nice and the space is well located, so it has potential. But it is very disorganized and poorly presented. The people working there place emphasis on sales rather than on quality work, and encouraging self sufficiency as advertised. I really wanted to like this place, but I wanted to learn, not just throw my money and time away. My advice is to go elsewhere, even if paying less is tempting.