Sew Much Fun: The Place for Sewing and Fun

This week’s Great Escape takes us to in McMurray, which owner Sue Gates has tagged “the place (to go) for sewing and fun.” As both a store and a learning center, Sew Much Fun lives up to its tagline by providing sewing enthusiasts with a one-stop shop where they can buy, learn and create.  

Located on W. McMurray Road, Sew Much Fun offers a wide variety of classes, most of which are taught by Gates herself. Classes are offered daily throughout the year, in both a day and an evening format to accommodate the needs of different lifestyles.

The classes are each themed around a particular type of project, such as making jackets, purses or home décor items. According to Gates, a customer favorite is her “Quilt-As-You-Go” class, which allows students to work on one section of a quilt at a time and progress at their own pace.

Though Quilt-As-You-Go may be a customer favorite, it’s not the only customer favorite. Gates reported that her daily classes fill up quickly and almost always reach full capacity. That capacity, Gates said, is capped at eight students, so as to allow each student to receive the individual attention he or she needs and deserves.

Sew Much Fun’s classes are open to anybody, from children to adults and from novices to experts. Gates and her fellow teachers are eager to instruct students, regardless of age, skill level or any other distinguishing factor.

One of the things about which Gates’ is proudest is the fact that her shop provides students with one-stop access to everything they need to learn the craft.

“There’s no need to run to several different stores to get what you need for a class,” she said. “We sell everything you need right here, and we show you how to use it.”

Gates also shows customers how to use sewing machines purchased at her store. Each customer who purchases a sewing machine at Sew Much Fun automatically receives three free weekly lessons on how to use it.

“Too often, people buy machines off of the shelf (at other stores) and can’t figure out how to use them. We want you to be completely happy with your purchase, and that includes knowing how to actually use the machine. That’s why we give you three free classes of instruction on its use.”

As if the free lessons weren’t already a steal, Gates noted that the store sells its variety of sewing machines at discounted prices daily, including machines from the industry-leading Janome line.

“When you shop with us, you get a really good buy on a great machine,” Gates said.

With the exception of a few classes, such as knitting, Gates’ classes rely on use of a sewing machine. As compared to hand-stitching, Gates said use of a sewing machine “is quicker, produces a more durable product and is a lot more fun.”

In an age where our clothes and accessories are judged by their labels, where our gifts are purchased electronically and shipped from warehouse to recipient, the idea of making something by hand may seem a little out-of-the-ordinary.

It is out-of-the-ordinary. And, that’s what makes it exceptional and worthwhile.

Instead of gifting a jacket or purse that is the same as thousands of others out there, why not escape the every-day and gift something truly unique?

A handmade item has a sentimental appeal that you won’t find in department stores. The creative process behind each item is a gift in itself, both a thoughtful one to the item’s recipient and a practical one to the item’s creator.

For more information about classes at Sew Much Fun, visit www.sewmuchfunpa.com or stop by the store for a chat with Gates and her staff. Check out the business's Facebook page, too.