Welcome to New Plymouth Sewing school

An interest in fashion, and sewing, is enjoying a resurgence as students at New Plymouth Sewing School will testify.

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The strong dressmaking and tailoring culture created at New Plymouth Sewing School is a result of the high quality tutoring provided by the tutors Jenny Imrie and Nicolene Coetzee. 

 Students of all ages come, some as beginners, or some who may have sewing skills but are feeling a bit rusty and others who have experience but want to update and extend their sewing skills.

 

Jenny and Nicolene  offer the opportunity to develop confidence in the basic or advanced dressmaking skills required to ensure the completion of a professionally finished garment.


The New Plymouth Sewing School, Originally Jenny's Sewing School moved from Spotlight ten years ago to the purpose built spacious well equipped classroom in the heart of New Plymouth.

 

Everybody works at their own individual pace on a garment of their own choice. Classes become a very creative and social mix of students who all have a passion for sewing.

 

Classes are limited to 10 students per class. Students provide their own sewing machines but spare machines are available if required.  Twelve classes in total are run each week including mornings, afternoons and evening. Weekend classes and workshops are also now available. 

 

Jenny has run sewing classes in New Plymouth and Wellington over the last 35 years.

 Jenny and Nicolene provide a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in which to learn to sew.

 New Plymouth is lucky to have this facility available. 

Where to find us

We are located at 174 Devon st East, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.

Meet the Tutors

Jenny Imrie

I qualified from Wellington Polytechnic with a Certificate in Clothing and Textiles, and have a wide variety of experience in the fashion industry; as a Childrens Wear designer, Bridal Dressmaker and as a Patternmaking Tutor at Taranaki Polytechnic's Fashion Design Course.For five years I was Head of the Dressmaking and Fashionwear Department at Newlands Community College, and was Head Tutor at CC Ward's Ltd School of Sewing for eleven years.Upon closure of the CC Wards School of Sewing in 2006, I set up my  own Sewing School at the premises of Spotlight catering for Beginners through to Professional dressmakers. I then moved to larger, purpose built premises at WITT Campus nine years ago.I offer the opportunity to develop the confidence in the basic or advanced dressmaking skills required to ensure the completion of a professionally finished garment.

Nicolene Coetzee

I come from a strong academic background and hold various Fashion Design qualifications including a National Diploma, a Bachelor’s as well as a Master’s degree. In my PhD studies I focussed on the development of sewing training materials, particularly for low-literate individuals within the rural areas of South Africa.I am an experienced tutor with more than 15 years’ experience in the Fashion Design classroom at the Vaal University of Technology (based south of Johannesburg, South Africa). During this time, I also planned, initiated and implemented various community-based workshops and took part in collaborations at a national level.“Tutoring sewing classes allows me to combine my passion for sewing and Fashion Design with my love for teaching. My classes are designed to be exciting and easy. It is targeted at youngsters and beginners with no previous sewing experience. I will guide you every step of the way”.​