Opening Times & A Little About Our Story

The New Home of On A Sew

If you’ve been following On A Sew for a while, you’ll know the journey has been anything but ordinary. What started as a simple idea — teaching people how to sew from my kitchen table — has grown into a community interest company with hundreds of students, dozens of workshops, and now, a beautiful bricks-and-mortar studio off Streatham High Street.

In October, I collected the keys to what is now the new home of On A Sew.
A space filled with machines, fabric, colour, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.
A space I never imagined I’d have two years ago when I was clearing my dining table every night after classes.

A Little About Me

My name is Marcela, and for the past two years I’ve been teaching sewing to children, teens, and adults — first as a small idea, then as a passion, and now as the foundation of a creative community.

I’m a mum, a maker, a teacher, and someone who genuinely believes in the power of creativity. I started On A Sew because I wanted people to feel confident, capable, and inspired. I wanted children to learn real skills, teenagers to find a creative outlet away from screens, and adults to rediscover the joy of making something with their own hands.

So I taught from my kitchen.

And people came.
They learned to sew cushion covers, patchwork bags, pyjama bottoms, invisible zips, water bottle holders, tote bags, and so much more — all from a small, cosy space in my home.

The demand grew, the community grew, the classes grew… until it was clear that my kitchen simply couldn’t hold all of us anymore.

A New Chapter: The On A Sew Studio

Moving into the new studio has been exciting, emotional, overwhelming, and incredibly rewarding. I am still adjusting to the new routine, the foot traffic, the questions, the bookings, the deliveries, and having a shop front on a busy high street. It’s a big transition — but one that feels absolutely right.

The studio is not a traditional fabric shop, and I want to be clear about that.
My focus remains on teaching — sewing lessons, afterschool clubs, weekend workshops, teen sessions, adult mornings, and creative programmes for all ages.

However, you can buy fabric:

  • online, anytime
  • in-store, if you are booked onto a workshop, or
  • during the times when the studio is open to the public

I’ll also be hosting open days throughout the month, where anyone can pop in for a chat, browse fabrics, or learn more about what we do.

Why Bookings Matter

Because so many of my sessions involve children, safeguarding is absolutely essential. This means:

  • I cannot leave a class to open the door.
  • I cannot allow walk-ins during children’s sessions.
  • Even if you see me through the window, I may not be able to let you in.

This ensures the safety and focus of every student in the room.

ALL workshops and lessons must be booked online in advance — this helps me prepare materials, manage numbers, and keep each session running smoothly.

Thank you so much for understanding this.

Opening Times

To make everything clear and easy, here are the current studio hours:

Monday

  • 9:30am – 12:00pm → Open to pre-booked workshop customers only
  • 12:00pm – 3:00pm → Open to the public for fabric, browsing & a chat
  • 3:00pm – 8:00pm → Open to pre-booked workshop customers only

Tuesday

  • 3:00pm – 5:00pm → Open to pre-booked workshop customers only

Wednesday

  • 9:30am – 3:00pm → Open to the public
  • 3:00pm – 6:00pm → Open to pre-booked workshop customers only

Thursday

  • Closed
    (Reserved for admin, prep, restocking, lesson planning, and a little breathing room!)

Friday

  • 9:30am – 12:00pm → Open to pre-booked workshop customers only
  • 12:00pm – 3:00pm → Open to the public for fabric, browsing & a chat
  • 3:00pm – 6:00pm → Open to pre-booked workshop customers only

Saturday

  • Private bookings only
    This includes birthday parties, private sewing lessons, and special events.

Sunday

  • 9:30am – 1:30pm → Open to pre-booked workshop customers only
  • Every 2nd & 4th Sunday → Open to the public until 4:30pm

Looking Forward

This studio represents more than just a workspace — it’s a place where children discover their creativity, adults learn new skills, teens find confidence, and people from across South London come together to make something beautiful.

Thank you for supporting me from the kitchen table to the high street.
Thank you for booking lessons, telling your friends, sharing my posts, and helping On A Sew grow into what it is today.

I can’t wait to welcome you into this new chapter.

Marcela :)

Back to blog