Camp Couture

I am sorry, very sorry, to have to write this. My girls and I spent several years working with Alexandria. While I always found her extremely talented and her vision inspirational — her methods and organization was lacking. Her ability to be patient and work with children who were more quiet was poor — they got lost in the midst of the cute ones. I left my sewing machine at her place to work with and when we decided to part ways I forgot about it until one of my daughters reminded me. I have sent several emails asking for a resolution — for almost a year now. I finally got an email from her accusing me of random things. Yes, she and I disagreed with how she handled one of my girls. I accepted and moved on from working with her. But, I do want my sewing machine back. This is a reflection of her lack of order and organization. I even offered to go to the store where I got it and if she wants to provide credit it would be a business write off for her. Otherwise, I will find the receipt and file at small claims court. I really didn’t want to write this review as I understand not every one can work with every one. And, again, her artistry and talent is amazing. Her business approach is poor to say the least.

I highly recommend camp couture for anyone interested in learning the art of sewing. Alex is absolutely amazing! Not to mention funny. I will definitely be going back for more classes. Thank you again!!!

Had a fantastic lesson with Veronica and Alex this past weekend. I thought I would just create test swatches for two hours. But no! Instead, the team gave me pointers to set up my machine, gave me one test swatch to make and then helped me design and create an apron using multiple techniques. Veronica was very patient and positive and Alex provided great pointers. The only reason for ⁴⁄₅ stars was a challenge with scheduling the class. Once at Camp Couture, the experience was great. I’m no longer afraid of my sewing machine.

Alex is an amazing teacher. I came to her knowing absolutely nothing about sewing and she was patient and helpful. I am so grateful for her. When I’m in the area i will make sure to take another class. If I had children I would send them to her.

I wish that I could give Alex & Camp Couture 20 stars! This is an AMAZING camp that truly fosters creativity and confidence. My daughter was so proud of her fashionable creations. Worth-​Every-​Penny-​We-​Will-​Be-​Back-​For-​More-​Camp-​Couture!

I sent my daughter to camp here last year during one of her school breaks. Its hard to find a camp during the fall break. My expectations weren’t high, I was just happy to have a place for her to be safe and creative.
Cut to this fall, when my child made her own halloween costume from scratch. My participation was driving to & from the fabric and craft stores.
What was to me a small, safe, local, child care option, was inspiration, confidence, and skill for my daughter.
We will go back, and I’ll definitely get the other daughter enrolled as well. Alex and Camp Couture are a fantastic hidden gem.

My daughter went over the summer and had a great time. She learned how to thread her machine and sew. She made a dress, top, pillows, headband… The team is professional and patient.

Recommend this camp, and Alex, very highly. In fact, i have given personal recommendations to few friends now and the kids have loved camp! My daughter experimented 2 years ago with a week at CC when she was 5. She was youngest in camp and swiftly developed skills to become amongst the best sewers within the week she was there. Loved it so much she extended 1 week to 3 weeks, and she’s been sewing ever since. Even got her 2 older brothers excited. Alex is so excited to spark creativity for the kids, they love coming to camp. She stresses safety and the machines are in good shape. We’re going to spend the 1 day of Presidents’ Day. just cuz!

I am so happy I found camp couture. I have had the determination to learn how to sew for years. It is in my blood and all of the women in my family can sew but no one had the time, patience, or energy to sit down and teach me. What do I do when I need help? Google. I found Camp Couture online and it was right up my alley. Young, fresh, stylish, and not going to waist my time. I have two kids under 4 and I do not have time for bologni, prosciutto, or mortadella. To learn how to sew you either need to take college courses, sew things you don’t want to sew, get an expensive education at FIDM, or go to an outdated class not revolved around fashion and expression. I made an appointment with Alex and the first thing she taught me was to be confident with my machine. Very important because every step of threading the machine, refilling the bobbin, is very important to sew successfully. She taught me and gave me the confidence to use my machine no matter what happens during sewing. In the past if something happened during a project I would get so overwhelmed, stresses, and give up. Not anymore! I have started a business called Capulet Covers. They are fashionable helmet covers that slip over bike helmets. Now being sold at her boutique red square boutique and collective and several other stores in the bay area. I had a dream, not a lot of time, and not a lot of money and Alex helped me reach one of my goals in life. I am so grateful she did not waist my time, money, or energy. if you have a dream or goal with sewing. Call Alex at camp couture to make it come true. Now the sky is the limit since I can sew. I am improving with practice over time and Alex teaching me the next step forward. I think Camp Couture is a wonderful place to girls to build high self esteem and confidence too.

I feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful place as Camp Couture for my daughter.
We have enrolled in the various Kid Camps throughout the year, and each time my daughter has an amazing time. More than a sewing school, Alex really channels your child’s creativity. Although safety and responsibility with the machine are of the utmost importance, the structure of the class is loose enough that kids can really delve into their own projects that THEY want to start. Everything from purses, Halloween costumes, skirts, shirts, dog clothes… you name it, they can make it!
Alex really encourages the kids with her great skill and sense of humor. The courses use reclaimed and used fabrics which teach kids the importance of recycling. And the camp participates in Maker Faire every year which give the kids the opportunity to show off their creations in a real fashion show!
My daughter has become more creative and confident through this camp and I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re child wants to learn more about sewing, design, or fashion… you must come and learn from Alex. She is amazing!!!

Great Place! Alex is wonderful, young girls learn their basic sewing skills on a sewing machine during this camp, and get to make their own clothes.

I decided that I wanted to learn how to sew despite never doing any sewing in my life. I had a hard time finding someone that could teach me in the area and I stumbled upon Alex’s website– and I am so glad I did. After two hours, I already feel that I could work a sewing machine and know how to get started in my own time. She built my confidence and helped me just jump right in. At first, I felt like it was going to quickly but then I realized that she was really just diving in to show me what I needed to know. She slowed down whenever I asked her for help. She also didn’t focus on the clock and let me finish my project despite running over on my time. I am looking forward to working with her for a bit until I feel comfortable to make different things. My sister and I walked away thinkng that she’s pretty much a creative genius. I cannot wait to go back next Thursday! I just loved my experience.

My daughter signed up for Alex’s camp and I was WOWed! Alex is inspiring, confidence building, and delightful. My daughter started the camp not knowing how to sew and ended with great skill. I love how Alex encourages the students to reuse materials, clothes to make new outfits. I think this is a great skill and environmentally friendly! We will definitely attend again.
And her shop has great clothes and jewelry — mostly from local designers!

My daughter attended a week of Camp Couture last summer, and now that we are planning this summer’s schedule, definitely wants to come back. I didn’t understand how much my daughter had learned under the tutelage of Alexandria and her assistants until she told me that she wanted to sew a Valentine’s Day dress. I was highly skeptical (after all, she’s only 9!), but bought the fabric for her and with minor assists, saw her make a simple dress that she is absolutely delighted with! Eight months later, she’s proved that she really learned and internalized real sewing skills.
I’m really happy that we have such a great resource for learning to sew and that Alexandria and her crew have the passion to share their knowledge and creativity with these young girls and boys!

My daughter is 7 years old and loves to sew. She had been making little doll dresses from cloth and pins, and trying to teach herself to sew, so we were very happy to find Camp Couture.
She went to two weeks of summer camp, and is now in the costuming workshop for Halloween. She has a great time there and has really learned a lot.
Alex really understands kids and is a great teacher. She gives her students so much energy, creativity, and inspiration!
My daughter says that «Alex is Super Awesome!»
I say that Camp Couture is a great experience for anyone who would like to learn to sew, and a creative learning environment for kids of all ages.

I was lucky enough to be at Camp Couture for a few days and it was amazing what these young people were making. With the expert guidance of Alexandria they finished their own designs of blouses, shirts and «crazy» dresses made out of re-​purposed materials. I am definitely sending my granddaughters to Camp Couture for a week next summer.

My daughter spent two weeks at camp couture to jump start a Tokyo multi-​media Film and Fashion show she is doing for her 8^th Grade Spring project. [She is a third year student in Japanese and has also travelled to Japan to film and visit Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto this summer]. Alexandria was the perfect couture mentor with advanced fashion training and a deep understanding of European and Japanese design trends. Alexandria has a Master’s Degree in Fashion Design & pattern making. She also has several highly skilled mentors to help the students in camp couture. This program teaches to all levels. My daughter had loads of fun and it was highly productive.
Alexandria’s Black Line of custom couture designs are edgy, high fashion that go beyond the best designs in Union square. It is amazing that San Mateo would have a resource like this for fashion! Women can skip Union Square and come to Palm Drive in San Mateo for something to wear to the SF Symphony opening night that will be unique and beautiful. Custom pieces take longer lead times, of course. But they are worth it. Check out some custom designs at:
Alexandria has received the following awards:
Voted Best SF Designer 2009
Best fashion show 2009
Best Creative Director 2010
Alexandra donated some french fabrics for one project and knows where to buy materials in SF and LA. My daughter was jazzed!
My daughter went from some quilting experience to having two finished couture designs and a third one well under way in just two weeks. She is a math science girl, but her Spring project was jump-​started in the busy shop on Palm Drive. We plan future weeks at camp couture! There were groups of mostly girls (and some boys) making all kinds of clothes. Even Elementary school kids were doing successful projects. I did not see any disappointed faces. Kids love this place!
I highly recommend it for all ages!

I had been looking for a sewing class in San Mateo for some time, and came upon a few sewing classes. For some reason this place sounded like it would be youthful and fun — and it is!
I attend the Adult class during the evenings and I love it! The designer who teaches the class is extremely helpful, talented, and allows me to finish my project without looking at the clock. It’s a very friendly environment and would recommend it to anyone who loves fashion.

My mom recently bought me a sewing machine for Christmas and I knew it was time to learn how to use it when I was dusting off the box for the third time this year. I researched sewing classes online and discovered that Alexandria taught both private and small classes. I signed up for a small class and she literally helped me unpack my sewing machine, put it together, thread it, and design and sew my first creation, a beautiful tablecloth. She is a great teacher and I can’t wait to take more classes from her.

I took a class from Alexandria Von Bromssen and I realized how little I really knew about sewing. She taught me how to size a pattern, make my own pattern, work with with different materials, and learn how to use a serger (revolutionized my life). She even signed up to teach me how to sew a faux fur coat which is *not* and easy endeavor.
Alex is a great teacher. She cared about my creative fashion vision and helped me make it happen. I lucked out finding someone who is a fashion expert, does shows, and has a masters in fashion design.
She also is great with her kids in the summer camp.