The Sewing Labs is a welcoming, inclusive community teaching the legacy of sewing as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, and personal enrichment. We envision a future where sewing transforms lives and strengthens communities, where creativity, resilience, and economic empowerment are within reach for all.

We believe textile arts are more than creative expression. Sewing connects people to a rich tradition of craftsmanship and serves as a powerful tool for healing and community building. Our programs preserve and advance this legacy while addressing real economic needs.

Our Sewing Salon Training Program (SSTP), a registered apprenticeship with the Missouri and U.S. Departments of Labor, trains low-income individuals to become industrial sewing machine operators. This 30-week program includes hands-on instruction, site visits to local employers, and a direct pipeline to job placement. Graduates earn certification and, on average, begin earning $2,000 per month. The Sewing Labs was recognized by the White House and Department of Labor as an “Apprenticeship Ambassador.” Recently we expanded SSTP to serve up to 108 students, including a weekend cohort, to meet growing demand.

Beyond workforce training, we offer Community Workshops that cover everything from beginner sewing to advanced quilting. These classes build skills and confidence while making the textile arts accessible to all. During the last two years we served more than 1,000 unique individuals, with plans to reach 700 to 800 in 2025 across the Kansas City area.

We are especially interested in encouraging young people to explore the textile arts. Each year, our Stitch Camp and Threadventures summer camps spark creativity and confidence in children through fun, hands-on sewing experiences. We also provide free instruction at local schools such as Liberty Academy, Platte City Middle School, and Shoal Creek Elementary, and collaborate with area Girl Scout troops to introduce sewing and creative expression to younger generations.

At The Sewing Labs, we are stitching together opportunity, creativity, and community, one thread at a time.