We’re located in the heart of downtown Forest Lake, Minnesota. You’ll find us in the lower level of the Franklin Bldg (Forest Lake Family Dental) across the street from the Town Square bldg with spacious parking behind the building near Lakeside Park
Have you ever struggled with a sewing skill or struggled to get the right fit with a sewing pattern?
Do you have a drawer or box hidden in the closet of UFOs (un-finished sewing objects) because you just didn’t know where to turn to help get them finished? Or a fabric and pattern stash waiting to be created but you’re waiting to be the perfect size because you struggle with pattern adjustments.
Hi! I’m Renee, I’ve been where you are.
I created Sewing and Fitting Mentor as a solution to my own needs as a dressmaker.
Having a passion for pretty clothes and sewing, my journey for creating my own clothing started at a young age. I’m the only girl in my family, both growing up and now, as an adult (insert heavy sigh) often making sewing a solo adventure. This created challenges both then and now due to living in rural areas that lack local fashion fabric stores and access to fellow seamstresses.
The difficulties of sewing solo include attempting to fit one’s own clothing, getting opinions of other dressmakers on fabric, creating fashion details, helping with fitting markings, and camaraderie of sewing with others.
Ultimately, my search in finding a knowledgeable fellow seamstress that could help with fittings, diagnose fitting issues, and discuss pattern fitting techniques to be used for a given project without having to drive over an hour left me empty-handed. Also, during the course of my search, I had been asked by several friends if I would teach them sewing from simple beginner to basic skills refresher.
If you would like to learn something new.
We offer a variety of introductory to advanced self-paced sewing classes for students from 8 to 82 years of age.
Our “sewing sewcials” are fun, the single project focused events offered in a welcoming environment to gather and connect with other sewists like you
Bring your sewing project in during Open Studio Sewing times to take advantage of our spacious studio and amenities.
I bring over 30 years of professional dressmaking, fitting, alterations, and pattern design experience to my students. Along with being formally trained and certified in dress and pattern making.