kids summer sewing camp

Thank you for a wonderful summer of camp! Dates for 2025 will be posted early next year.

 

$325 per student per week (includes all materials)

 

 

 

Our Summer Sewing Camp is for kids ages 9+ and takes place Mondays through Fridays from 8:30am - 11:30am each day. Each week allows up to 6 students with 2 instructors or up to 4 students with 1 instructor.

Each student will be able to select a large project to work on for each week they are in camp. Options for large projects are (see photos for some below):

• patchwork lap blanket

• decorative stuffed pillow

• pillowcase for a bed pillow

• elastic waist skirt

• apron

• zip up pouch

• drawstring backpack

• tote bag

• stuffed animal

• laundry bag

• elastic waist shorts/pajama shorts

• fish beach bag

• party bunting

• short sleeve top

• travel neck pillow

• travel toothbrush or make-up brush roll

• patchwork scarf

• infinity scarf 

  

Snack Pouch

 

Glasses Pouch

Toothbrush or Make-Up Brush Roll

 

Decorative Stuffed Pillow

 

Elastic Waist Skirt

 

Apron

 

Drawstring Backpack

 

Tote Bag

 

Lap Blanket

 

Students who finish their projects before camp ends can choose a smaller project to continue with (see photos of some below):

• coaster

• washcloth

• dog bandana

• key fob

• napkin

• beverage koozie

• baby bib

• dog leash

• bean bag

• pattern weight for sewing patterns
 

 

Pin Cushion

 

Coaster

 

Needle Book

 

Camp Includes:

• use of one of our sewing machines for the duration of the camp (or students may bring their own sewing machine)

• use of the iron and ironing board, which will be shared by all students and supervised by one of our instructors

• use of 7" fabric shears, seam rippers, measuring tapes, safety pins, glass head pins and heat erasable markers

• all materials for the projects listed above including fabric, thread and bobbins

 

Students will take home their completed project(s) at the end of the week.

 

What a week of camp looks like:

Monday
Choose a sewing station. This will be your sewing station all week. Look at and learn about all the sewing tools that you will have to use. These include fabric scissors, measuring tape, seam ripper and a heat erasable marker. Learn about different parts and functions of a sewing machine, including how to wind a bobbin and how to thread the machine. Practice sewing straight, curves, pivot, reverse and zigzag. Practice using all the sewing tools, including how to rip out using a seam ripper. Learn about how and when to use the iron for sewing. You will make a needle book and a pin cushion as your first projects. These will stay at Nina Chicago all week and you can take them home on the last day.
 
Tuesday
Learn about the use of appliqué and embroidery to embellish sewing projects. When you finish your needle book and pin cushion, choose a project from the project library and get started! There are over 25 patterns to choose from. You may finish your project today, or you may need to work on it for a couple of days. By the end of the week, you can expect to have made 1 major project and as many smaller projects as you have time for.
 
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Sew...sew...sew...
After you finish your first project, you may choose to make any of the other projects in the pattern library! At the end of day 5, be proud of what you accomplished and take home everything you made!

 

Jennifer, our lead instructor, was a grade school teacher for many years before she began managing our shop. Between that and raising two children of her own, she has much experience working with children and absolutely loves it. She has been machine sewing since childhood and has been integral in teaching the rest of our team how to sew.

All of our instructors are vaccinated. We will abide by any masks mandates that are in place during camp.

All attendees must be at least 9 years old, no exceptions. No sewing experience is necessary. Children can be signed up for a single week or as many as you like. Multiple session sign-ups do not have to be consecutive weeks. All sessions will be capped at 6 students and any sessions with low attendance may be cancelled.

All camp registrations are non-refundable. We are unable to offer make-up sessions, so please plan to have your child attend the full week.