Paterpillar Sewing Lessons

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Paterpillar Sewing Lessons

Relaxed, friendly one-on-one or small group sewing lessons, for kids as young as 5, right through to adults!

Learn a skill from a qualified teacher, that will last a lifetime, right here in rural Nelson.

28/03/2026

***CALLING ALL FRAZZLED PARENTS AND CRAFTY KIDS***

Back by popular demand, my Paterpillar Sewing Lessons and Craft Lessons are back for these school holidays!

Option One - Sewing lessons
* 90 minute lessons
* $45 individual or $60 ($30 per person) in a pair
* Ages 6-666
* Beginner - experienced
* Single or multiple lessons available
* Your choice of non-stretch sewing projects

Option Two - Craft lessons
* 90 minute lessons
* $45 individual or $60 ($30 per person) in a pair
* Ages 6-666
* Beginner - experienced
* Single or multiple lessons available
* Your choice of combo from beading, crocheting, candle-making, paper crafts, polymer clay and jewellery making

Pm me to book your slot(s) asap!

Note, available for discounted double slot bookings - just pm me 🙂

19/10/2025

I literally have THE BEST sewing kiddies! When I didn’t really want to human today, I had four (or five if you count the 7 week old Ada who joins her Mum and big sister each week) of the loveliest, most distracting humans for sewing classes today.

Thanks for being amazing humans, and raising great humans (and for following along here)!

Xx

29/09/2025

Just wanted to show off a little.

I didn’t make this.

A flipping 8 yearold did!

We’ll call her ‘Daisy’ (mainly because she LOVVVVVEEES my distracting Daisy 🐕

Only 5 Paterpillar Sewing Lessons (4 in the last holidays, one today), and she made this in 2.5 hours today.

Actually, what the heck?!

I’ve had an absolute blast teaching these classes, the kids are so super duper keen! One even said “Mum this is the best day of my life!” as she walked off yesterday 🥰🥰🥰

Almost every single Mum has asked if there’s the chance to carry on with lessons over the school term, and into the summer holidays.

HECK YESSSSSSS!!!!

* Weekday afterschool lessons available
* Weekend lessons available
* Ages 6 years and up
* 75 minute lessons
* Weekly or fortnightly
* $40 per individual class
* $50 per pair class
* Casuals or regulars
* Gift vouchers available

Interested? Pm me now to lock in a spot for term 4, and get those skills of a lifetime, locked in 🙂

13/09/2025

Paterpillar Sewing Lessons these school holidays are go!!!!

Lesson spots are filling up, and I’d love to get your wee cherry blossom fitted in.

* $40 per individual 75 minute lesson
* $50 per pair 75 minute lesson
* All materials provided (including machines)
* All abilities catered for (except invisible zips 🙄🙄)
* Ages 5ish - 95ish

Want to book a lesson or three? Pm me on this page 🙂

Gift vouchers for that ‘hard-to-buy’ kid available too 🙂

28/08/2025

You asked, I answered!!!!

School holiday sewing lessons are open for booking!

After last school holidays, where I got absolutely smashed with request, I’ve changed my timetable up a bit, to suit more people 🙂

Here’s about bit more info, please feel free to ask a question in the comments if you have any more questions, or pm me to book!

As a qualified secondary teacher with few spare sewing machines, and a love of sewing, it seemed only fitting to spend some of my spare time, teaching others! Over the last 3 months, I've begun teaching both one-on-one, and pairs from the sewing room (Paterpillar central!) here in rural Nelson (Wakefield). My most recent school holiday programme was completely booked out, which blew my mind!

* Individual, 75 minute lessons are $40 (including materials).
* If you'd like to come with a mate, sure! Those lessons are $50 ($25 per person).
* I have a general order of skills that I teach, but one thing I definitely ensure, is that each student takes away a completed project every lesson.

Skills we learn in the first few lessons:
- How to 'drive' a sewing machine (slowly!) Everyone can drive one fast, but slow and steady wins the race and gives you less unpicking)!
- How to thread a sewing machine (and bobbin)
- How to sew straight lines, zig zags and curves
- How to cut and pin materials
- Making and following a pattern
- Elastic and elastic casings
- If your child already has some experience with a machine (or has already had some lessons with me, no worries at all - we simply carry on where we left off last lesson) 🙂

I am also incredibly flexible in what students get out of each lesson, so if they want to sew a pair of shorts instead of a skirt, awesome!

If you would like some more information, or would like to book a lesson, 2 lessons (or 10!), simply flick me a message through this fb page, or email me at [email protected]

Over the next wee while, I'll be posting lots of the makes from my current lovely batch of cherry blossoms (with their parents permission of course!). In the meantime, feel free to get in touch as my lessons filled up in less than 48 hours for the holiday ones!

Louise xx

06/08/2025

Wondering what to buy that ‘hard to buy’ kid or grandkid? Want to gift a present that’s actually going to keep on giving?

Buy a Paterpillar Sewing Lessons voucher!

Available for any number of individual lessons ($40 per 75 minute lesson). To purchase, simply pm this page, or flick me an email over at [email protected]

If you know any doting grandparent or parent of a ‘hard to buy’ kid, below, for ideas!

:)

27/07/2025

So incredibly grateful for the most AMAZING bunch of kids who have signed up for weekly (or fortnightly) sewing lessons.

Who would have thought, a 6 yearold and two 11 yearolds sewing top-stitched, waterproof, lined zipped bags on their own today?! 🤯🤯🤯

You are just the best, and if your parents see this, please know how incredibly lovely your kids are! Always turning up with a smile, with a positive attitude, and a long list of project ideas!

If you have stopped by for any of my holiday or weekly lessons, I would SOOOOO appreciate it if you could:
🪡 Post a review on my page, Sewing Lessons
🪡 Tag any mate who you think may be keen on either weekly, fortnightly or just a few sewing lessons
🪡 Buy a giftcard for a few lessons for your child for their birthday!
🪡 Like, follow and comment on any posts you see

🧵🪡🧵🪡🧵🪡🧵🪡🧵🪡🧵🪡🧵🪡🧵

18/07/2025

So good to have little-sewers back on deck!

The holiday lessons were honestly, absolutely mind-blowingly successful! I am so so grateful!

I’ve taken on 5 kids for weekly or fortnightly lessons during the term now, and I’m loving it! Kids with great ideas that want to learn!

I still have a few spots left, and can be flexible on one-off/weekly/fortnightly lessons during - just get in touch and we can sort!

:)

09/07/2025

When your nails match the skirt you’re sewing…..

08/07/2025

Another day, another three littlies learning to sew!

Yes, this cherry blossom is sewing paper (the best way to start)!

And yes, now 8, this lovely human has been wearing Paterpillar gear since she was teeny tiny, and turned up wearing a Paterpillar vest today!

Small world xx

06/07/2025

Hallllo!!

So glad you stopped by! Welcome to another one of my wee side hustles, Paterpillar Sewing Lessons!

My Mum taught me to sew when I was 6 (a matching denim skirt, waistcoat and handbag anyone?!), and I've been sewing ever since! I started my own, successful kids clothing business, Pants nearly 9 years ago, and have added a few iterations since then. I currently keep myself entertained by continuing Paterpillar, relief teaching, trying to control our lifestyle block, and parenting our four kids, along with a few other little side hustles!

As a qualified secondary teacher with few spare sewing machines, and a love of sewing, it seemed only fitting to spend some of my spare time, teaching others! Over the last couple of months, I've begun teaching both one-on-one, and pairs from the sewing room (Paterpillar central!) here in rural Nelson (Wakefield). My current school holiday programme is completely booked out, which has blown my mind!

Individual, 75 minute lessons are $40 (including materials). If you'd like to come with a mate, sure! Those lessons are $50 ($25 per person). I have a general order of skills that I teach, but one thing I definitely ensure, is that each student takes away a completed project every lesson.

Skills we learn in the first few lessons:
- How to 'drive' a sewing machine (slowly! Everyone can drive one fast, but slow and steady wins the race and gives you less unpicking)!
- How to thread a sewing machine (and bobbin)
- How to sew straight lines, zig zags and curves
- How to cut and pin materials
- Making and following a pattern
- Elastic and elastic casings

I am also incredibly flexible in what students get out of each lesson, so if they want to sew a pair of shorts instead of a skirt, awesome!

I am opening up to 8 slots per week from the first Monday of term (July 14th) for weekly (or fortnightly) lessons. We all have busy lives, and I completely understand the need to be flexible with times, so am happy to work with you to find times that suit you. I do have some availability most days afterschool (3:30pm-5:30pm), late Saturday afternoons (3pm - 5:30pm) and Sunday mornings and late afternoons.

If you would like some more information, or would like to book a lesson, 2 lessons (or 10!), simply flick me a message through this fb page, or email me at [email protected]

Over the next wee while, I'll be posting lots of the makes from my current lovely batch of cherry blossoms (with their parents permission of course!). In the meantime, feel free to get in touch as my lessons filled up in less than 48 hours for the holiday ones!

Louise xx

Address

Nelson
7096

Website

http://paterpillar.co.nz/

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