Kate Holmes

1. A patient and approachable teacher
2. Small class sizes
3. Very detailed course notes
4. Access to additional written resources
5. Design to your own liking
6. Informative feedback discussions
7. Lots of laughs and a welcoming learning environment

What’s not to love about The Sewing Workshop ! You have reinvigorated my love of sewing and given me the skills to make clothes that fit!  Wishing you all the best, Thank you Ana!.

Natalie Esterhuizen

30 years ago, as a 6’1” teenage girl, I learned that making my own clothes was not just going to be a fun hobby, While I have lots of clothes that turned out great, I have also experienced many fails along the way.

For years I have thought about getting some formal training to take my dress making skills to a higher level, and last year I finally did that with Anas ‘Patternmaking 1’ and ‘Patternmaking 2’ courses. Ana has found a way to fit a huge amount of content into her 10 week courses – but I couldn’t be happier with the pace and quality of instruction that we received. While many of the concepts were familiar to me, I was constantly thrilled to learn about garment construction techniques and the theory behind why patterns are shaped the way they are. Another fantastic part of Patternmaking was watching every participant, each with our own unique shape, design and make garments that looked amazing because they truly fitted each one of us perfectly.

I am currently doing the ‘Secrets of the Trade’ course and this has once again built upon my sewing past, with very clear and clever techniques that will ensure my garments are completed efficiently and to a higher quality from now on.

Thanks to Ana’s workshops, I am now constantly looking forward to my next sewing project! 

Maria Vouvoulis

This is my 3^rd year undertaking Ana’s sewing and pattern making courses.  When I first started I couldn’t even sew a straight line and now I am drafting and designing my own patterns and clothes and looking to the future to open my own business.

 Ana’s exceptional knowledge, skills and teaching have helped me come a long way.  

Attending Ana’s lessons are my happy place and I absolutely love going.  Not only that you get to meet lovely people at the class with the same goals and help each other.  Ana goes above and beyond to help and teach her students and I am blessed to have her as my teach

Tracey Owen

Ana is an amazing teacher, who encourages growth in your sewing endeavours.
I never dreamed when I started with Ana 2 years ago I would have started my own business 12 months ago.
When I started with Ana my sewing level was around an intermediate and I had no idea how to make my own pattens. After doing sewing classes, I then signed up for Pattern Making 1 and 2, Fit for real people, Secrets of the trade and Overlocking (I had never used an Overlocker).
I still attend sewing classes as it is good to keep challenging myself, leads to collaboration with like minded people and provides a good social aspect.
Thank you so much Ana

Belinda and Victor Vlasenko

“My son Victor and I have joined Ana’s school this year and we’re so pleased that we found her. Ana is a thorough and patient teacher.  She always takes the time to explain why we need to do each step in this way or that, not just what needs to be done.  Ana ensures you understand what you’re doing (not just following some steps).

My son had been to other teachers but wasn’t learning anything. He would either repeat the same thing over and over or the instructor would basically do all the hard bits and get him to stitch it together.  At The Sewing Workshop, under Ana’s patient but fastidious titular, Victor’s knowledge, understanding and skills increase every lesson, as do mine.  Victor is a super-keen sewer and a natural: I am not!  And yet, somehow, Ana has found a way to teach us both.  Originally I thought I’d only go for one set of lessons to learn a few basics and be a ‘model’ for Victor so he can learn how to fit dresses to a customer (he made the one I’m wearing in this photo!!) but I’ve really enjoyed the process of developing my skills and seeing a garment actually come together, in my hands.  Believe me, if Ana can teach me, she can teach anyone!  Novice or life-time sewer, Ana will figure out where you are on your sewing journey and launch you into the next level. I highly recommend her classes to anyone who truly wants to learn to sew or hone their skills.”

Merridy W.

This is now my fifth year studying with Ana and it’s my favourite time of the week. Ana always has experienced advice to give, especially on advanced projects.

Along with regular dressmaking classes I have also taken Ana’s pattern making course – and put all these skills together to draft a tailored jacket pattern and then sew it!

The class vibes are fun and relaxed and it’s a real joy to watch everyone’s progress each class, and to have a bit of a gossip at the same time.  I always learn something new! 

Calvin Wong

“I was privileged to be a student of Anna’s back in 2015. Her mastery of sewing, exceptional teaching method, and inspiring creativity was pivotal in my journey to becoming a fashion student at RMIT. The foundational skills I developed under her guidance helped me to express my unique style and bring my vision to life. Today, I’ve launched @thevanillaissue, a digital fashion magazine on Instagram, and Anna’s influence is undeniably woven into the fabric of this achievement. Thank you, Anna, for sewing the seeds of my success. Your legacy continues to inspire and motivate me every day.”

Patricia Barturen

Ana is a kind and very experienced sewing teacher who is always happy to share her skills and knowledge in a patient and thorough way. Before The Sewing Workshop, I had taken sewing classes at other schools and none are even close to be as good as Ana’s. Ana does a great job at structuring the different courses and different levels that students can take in her school, and accommodates from students who have never touched a sewing machine all the way to advanced dressmakers. All this while providing flexibility to choose my own projects and offering her full practical and theoretical support. 

I enjoy my weekly classes with Ana very much, and look forward to continuing learning from her vast expertise. Thank you Ana for being an amazing teacher!!

Angela Evans

Having been a lover of sewing and dressmaking since my teens, I sought out a teacher in 2021, mainly to improve my skill with fitting.  I was also very keen to meet up with a community of people like me, who just love to sew.  I couldn’t have been luckier in finding Ana and the Sewing Workshop.  Ana has the ability to meet her students exactly where they are, and offer them the learning to take them forward exactly where they want to go.  My first project was making a Chanel style jacket which exposed me to many advanced sewing techniques as well as the fitting skills that I was seeking.  I never expected to make anything so lovely and I’m super proud of the result.  I really look forward to my fortnightly classes and to spending time with fellow students who have become my friends.  It’s coming up to two years of sewing with Ana, and I love it more than ever!

Catherine Allen

“In January 2020, I tentatively entered the world of dressmaking, having not sewn in the decades since my Grade 7 Home Economics class!  Ana, with warmth, wisdom, and much encouragement, guided me from initially learning how to put a bobbin in my machine the correct way, to having the confidence to sign-up for the Patternmaking I and II programs 3 years later.  Through these two programs, my ability to analyse clothing designs, to understand the requirements of turning those designs into patterns, and to be comfortable with ‘having a go’, has increased 10x … and I even have the courage to create my own designs and see how they come to life in fabric.  My favourite outcome is my new found ability to both look at store-bought patterns and adjust them for my body shape, and to work out how to alter store-bought clothes to uniquely fit me!  I am deeply grateful to Ana, and appreciative of her commitment to share her wealth of dressmaking and patternmaking knowledge and experience.”

Jill Belford

The ‘’fit for real people ‘’ workshops were  an inspiration- excellent content, easy to understand methods for this nonprofessional home  sewer. We all had fun with your enthusiastic guidance & patient instruction & learned a lot! I would highly recommend your course to anyone with any interest in dress/garment making- preferably sooner, rather than later in one’s dressmaking career! In fact, I’d say your course should be mandatory!! It will save  a lot of frustration & wasted effort .

I really can’t recommend the course highly enough. I’m just soooo pleased that I enrolled. Best regards,

Joanne Wolfe

I’ve been attending lessons with Ana for more than five years and can’t believe how much my sewing skills have improved, I’m now confident in drafting my own patterns which I know will fit my body shape and then create the garments with professional standard finishes. 

Ana’s expertise and patience make lessons a real joy to be part of and has kept me coming back for years on end!!

Danielle Jesser

I had no sewing experience when I started with Ana and through her teaching and classes I am now able to create a garment of my own design from start to finish.

Ana’s passion for sewing and design and zest for life makes her a remarkable teacher.

Leigh Hattin

I had been sewing for years but always felt that the fit and finish could be better and there were always garments made or half-finished that I wasn’t happy with.

So after looking online I discovered Ana’s Sewing School at Mt Gravatt which sounded perfect and offered classes with all levels of ability. As well as a variety of specialized classes such as lingerie and pattern making.

I started with Ana at her Sewing School back in 2017 with a Beginners Sewing Course so I could start from scratch and get rid of things I had been doing wrong for years with sizing, construction of garments and lack of professional finishing.

Ana’s method of teaching is very hands-on and she is so forthcoming with an incredible range of sewing skills and pattern making knowledge. My sewing ability has really progressed now thanks to Ana’s and wealth of expertise.

I have continued to attend classes each year and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon as I really enjoy being able to learn new skills with Ana and learn alongside other keen sewers and share ideas.

I highly recommend Ana’s sewing courses, even those just starting out, it’s a wonderful skill to learn and you will be hooked in no time.

Lauren 

I’ve been sewing with Ana for 6 years now. She has an incredible amount of knowledge about all things dressmaking and is a lovely person to spend my Saturday afternoons with.

I find it impossible to buy clothes that fit me straight off the rack, and these classes have taught me how to alter the clothes I buy and how to make things that fit me perfectly.

Thanks Ana!

Mirros Kwik

I have been sewing with Ana for the last 5 years and look forward to every class!    Ana’s lessons not only cover sewing techniques, but also alterations to commercial patterns for fitting a non-commercial body shape.  I have made a number of garments that I am proud to say, “I made it”.

Ana is an excellent and patient teacher, always explaining why we need to do things not just what needs to be done to solve a fitting problem.  Saturday afternoons are the highlight of my fortnight, both fun and educational and I look forward to continuing for many years to come.