CLEVELAND — Lake Effect Studios in Cleveland hosts a weekly sewing class for kids, helping them build confidence and empower them that they have the control to be what they want to be in life. 


What You Need To Know

  • Dru Thompson is a fashion designer from Cleveland

  • She's the founder and designer at her label Dru Christine Fabrics and Design

  • Learning to sew at a young age opened many doors for her in her life

  • Thompson teaches adult and children sewing classes

  • She enjoys empowering children that they too, can lead a life they choose

“It’s fun, it’s fun, especially since I’m just learning how to do it, it’s fun,” said 13-year-old Aaniyah Chestnut.

“What I want to become is a scientist but just in case my scientist goal does not go I, I think because I’m already learning about this I might become a fashion designer,” said 10-year-old Zaria Boyd. 

They’re not learning from just anybody. The Ohio fashion designer Dru Thompson who owns her label, Dru Christine Fabrics and Design, is their teacher and mentor. 

 

“I get really excited when the kids want to come and learn how to sew,” said Thompson. “I get excited for the adults, too, I get excited about sewing period but when the kids come I know I can help plant that seed and get that going to keep the industry going.”

Thompson comes from a familly of creatives. She taught herself how to sew at 13 and she knew from a young age she wanted to be a fashion designer. 

“I don’t know a time I don’t want to come to work. I always want to come in here. I have to make myself not come in here actually,” said Thompson. 

Thompson started her business more than nine years ago and feels lucky she gets to come to work everyday. She wants kids to grow up loving what they do, too. 

“I’m from the inner city, and sewing opened up so many doors for me. Like some of the experiences that I’ve had have been just amazing just because I was that girl that knew how to sew,” said Thompson.  

Some of the kids she’s teaching how to sew already have goals of owning their own label.

“I’ve never tried sewing before and I want to start my own business like labeling clothes and things like that, and so I need to learn how to sew and so this is why I’m taking the class,” said Chestnut.

All of the children agreed that learning to sew is a useful life skill. 

“I think sewing would be a good hobby for me to have in life, I think it’s very resourceful,” said 12-year-old Madison Hunt. 

“If somebody I’m close to needs their clothes fixed I can do that,” said 11-year-old Jada-Fe Hill. 

In the first few weeks of class, they’ve been learning how to make masks. 

“I want to make stuff for my grandmother cause she’s like quarantining right now and so I’m not able to visit her,” said 12-year-old Jane Gyorki. 

The mask is a small garment item, but meaningful at that. By the end of the classes, they’ll have made a large garment, like a skirt. Thompson hopes this empowers the kids that they canbe anything and make anything they put their mind to. 

“When you grow up you could make like pants, shirts, hats, gloves, and everything,” said 11-year-old Seroni Coudougar.

“Or even just making your own clothes cause then you won’t be able to find them in stores you’ll have your own unique thing,” added Hunt. 

Sewing is a craft of creative expression, that can open doors for these children to a future of their choosing. 

“Anything that helps them put their phone down and focus and anything that helps with creativity and creates knowledge is good,” said Thompson. 

To learn more about Dru Christine Fabrics and Design or about the adult and children sewing classes visit here.