SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AT OUR ANNUAL GALA!
Tickets and Sponsorships Now Available
Join us for The Sewing Labs’ Annual Gala Fundraiser, an inspiring evening celebrating creativity, community, and second chances stitched with purpose. This signature event is more than a fundraiser. It is a heartfelt celebration of our mission to empower individuals through the textile arts.
Sponsor Deck and Opportunities: To request a Sponsor Deck or learn more about sponsorship options, please email fundraising@thesewinglabs.org
We are seeking Silent Auction donations! Reach out to donations@thesewinglabs.org to coordinate your silent auction donation.
Looking to Take a Class? Check out our Current Calendar!
Click Here To See Our Current Classes!
Your Contributions Help Support our Students and Community!
A message from the CEO
Dear Friends,
Gala Season is Here – Let’s Celebrate Together
Tickets are officially on sale for our 2025 Gala, and we want you there. This evening promises to be a joyful celebration of all we have accomplished, thanks to supporters like you. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and offer a meaningful way to align your business or organization with our mission.
Our silent auction is shaping up, but we need your help. If you have a connection to a local business or a treasure to donate, we would love to hear from you. Or better yet, if you are willing to ask on our behalf, we will cheer you on and provide everything you need.
Quilting is Having a Moment
We are excited to share that we will be at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival at Booth 1610. Stop by, say hello, and see how quilting is fueling creativity and connection across our community.
Even more exciting, we are upgrading one of our longarm machines. This means we will now have two CAD-operated Gammill longarms, which will double our ability to rent time and expand our custom quilting services. If you have quilt tops waiting to be finished, now is a great time to bring them in.
Growth is in the Air
This season, growth is showing up in every corner of our work.
Workshops: Our team carefully curated this summer’s offerings, and it shows. The classes are fun, inspiring, and filling up fast. Please register early.
Expanded Space: We have added a secondary location that allows for more evening and weekend access.
Apprenticeship Milestone: We have now enrolled more than 100 students in our Sewing Salon Training Program since its launch. This milestone is more than a number. It is proof that the demand for skilled sewing professionals is real and that our approach works.
Thank you to everyone who has made this growth possible. Your support transforms The Sewing Labs into a community anchor and a launchpad for creativity, connection, and career paths.
Come Visit
Whether you're interested in taking a class, checking out our upgraded longarms, or simply getting a feel for what we do, we invite you to stop by. Our doors are open, and we’d love to show you around.
With Gratitude,
Robyn Kerkaert
CEO, The Sewing Labs
We have sew many workshops happening in July! Click on the links to learn more and sign up for one of our Summer Sewing Fun workshops!
Serger Workshop: Mastering Serger Basics (3-part series) Fridays, July 11th - 21st, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Whether you bring your own serger to enhance your skills or use one of our machines, this workshop will equip you with the essential knowledge to effectively utilize a serger.
Moth Plushies: (2-part series) Thursdays, July 10th and 17th, 12:30pm-3:00pm
In this specialized sewing class students will create a whimsical moth/butterfly plush. It's a step-by-step guide to creating your own unique soft, nature inspired plush using repurposed fur piece scraps. This class is perfect for anyone who loves working with unusual materials and creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind art pieces.
Summer Robe: (2-part series) Thursdays, July 24th and July 31st, 5:30pm-8:30pm
This robe is where style meets comfort, and you are going to want to wear it every day. Think robes are only for cold weather? It's all about the fabric choices! Go with something lightweight, flowy, or even Terry cloth for a swimsuit coverup at the beach or by the pool. Bring your own fabric or use some of ours. This project is perfect for confident beginners.
Lightweight Oversized Jacket: (3-part series) Saturdays, July 12th - 26th, 9:30am-12:00pm
This is the perfect chill summer outerwear for lounging by the pool, working in the garden, hiking or you can use as a swimsuit cover. It's an enjoyable project to experiment with color matching the trim to customize it to your own style. This class is designed for intermediate and beginner sewists. This class will guide you step-by-step through the process of making your own unique custom jacket.
The Sewing Labs is one of Kansas City’s best kept secrets, and we want to change that! We’re not just teaching sewing; we’re building skills, creating jobs, and preserving an art form that strengthens communities. Help spread the word by volunteering as a TSL Ambassador!
Ambassadors will help run our information booth at local fairs, festivals, and other community events. If you love talking with new people, experiencing Kansas City’s rich cultural events, and sharing TSL’s mission with others, this is an ideal opportunity for you. Training is provided, and you will be able to choose from two or four-hour shifts at a variety of events.
Benefits of becoming an Ambassador include a Sewing Labs-branded t-shirt, 25% off classes and five pounds of free fabric once a month, a free pass for an Open Sew Studio session for every two hours volunteered, and the joy that comes from sharing the love and legacy of sewing. Interested? Email volunteer@thesewinglabs.org
Quilter's Corner
Find us at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival! We will be at booth #1610 in the Quilt Exhibition South Concourse. Stop by our booth to say hi, while you're there grab some Sewing Labs swag and enter our raffle!
Our Gammill upgrade to our Longarm will be happening June 17th and 18th. Look forward to more Longarm rental availability coming soon and don't forget, we would LOVE to finish your quilt tops for you!
We also have some fun classes and workshops coming up.
Quilting 101: Intro to Patchwork, Fridays, June 20th - July 18th, 2:30pm-5:00pm
Have you always wanted to learn how to make quilts? Start your quilting journey here!
In this beginner-friendly class, you'll create a baby- or wall-sized quilt top using the classic Log Cabin design. Along the way, you'll explore essential tools and techniques that set the foundation for confident quilting.
Pointless Quilt Class: Wednesdays July 9th - August 6th, 9:00am-11:30am
Join us this summer for a fun and creative quilting adventure as we make the whimsical Pointless Quilt! This playful, pencil-themed design is perfect for classrooms and makes a thoughtful gift for a favorite teacher or student. Personalize it to make it truly your own!
We are excited to announce that we are setting up a NEW auxiliary classroom space at Sacred Stitches! Sewing Labs co-founder Kelly Wilson and her partner Betsy Saxton have generously opened their space to the Sewing Labs to set up an auxiliary classroom in the front room of their manufacturing studio in North Kansas City. We are looking forward to being able to expand our class offerings in this amazing new space very soon!
Community Service Sewing: Hearts and Hope, Navigation Bags, Walker Bags, and Children's Activity Bags
Our next Community Service Sewing Day will be on Friday July 18th from 10:00am-3:00pm. Community Service Sewing Days are free to help out and sew for the cause!
We also have kits available for Cass County Navigation Bags, and Saint Luke's Walker Bags and Children's Activity Bags. Come pick up a kit and lend your sewing skills to a good cause! Kits are available for pick up during our normal business hours Monday through Friday 9am-4pm.
