The Gaye Abandon School of Sewing and Upcycling

I love doing classes here! Zoe and Gaye are so knowledgeable, patient and fun. I highly recommend a workshop or course in order to level up your sewing game in a fun and encouraging environment.

I took part in the Essential Sewing Techniques and Fix Your Op Shop Finds workshops this weekend, and had an amazing time! Gaye and Jo are super friendly and helpful, and obviously love sharing their knowledge. I’ll definitely be taking more classes here.

I completed a Begginers Course in November last year and really enjoyed it. The class size was small, allowing for individual attention from Gaye, who was always helpful and took her time to explain everything. The instructions were clear, the projects fun and the equipment in great condition. One of the projects we made was a floor pillow. As you can see, my cat loves it. I would highly recommend this course for anyone taking up sewing for the first time, or like me, been in high school the last time they turned on a machine.

Have just completed my third workshop with Gaye and Zoe. As with the first two sessions I left feeling energised and extremely positive about my skills and how both my
knowledge and skills had improved. All lessons are non threatening where a vast array of abilities are in fact celebrated not judged. Both Gaye and Zoe genuinely care about their students and they encourage all to ask questions and to set their own learning pace. The content covered is relevant and challenging but most importantly flexible, allowing students to follow personal interests. It’s a beautiful highly inclusive and safe way to learn new skills with talented humble instructors. Do yourself a favour and book into a course and purchase an extra space for a friend.

I attend school of sewing and upcycling in Footscray Victoria.
I can only speak highly of my experience of how much l learnt and the encouragement the teachers give to me and the students in my class. Also, how the school gives back to the community.

Can I just say how fabulous the Overlocker basic class was on Sunday.
Zoe was the perfect host and boy, she knew all the tweaks for all our overlockers - 7 people, 6 different devices. She nailed the audience, and I went home and finished 3 jobs using my new best friend, my mum’s Bermette 334D.
I shall be keeping my eye on your classes now! The lady at Fabric Deluxe put me onto you.

I absolutely loved my sewing course. I've never touched a sewing machine before this and I was so anxious but Gaye was amazing and I learnt so much! Will definitely do more courses in the future to improve my skills.
Thanks Gaye, you're a wealth of knowledge so thank you for passing some onto me.now just need to practice, practice, practice:)
-Amanda:)

Having completed 3 classes with the SOSU and with the amazing and knowledgeable Zoe as a teacher, I couldn't recommend SOSU enough. As a novice, only learning sewing post-pandemic, SOSU is the place I go to to make my 'sewing dreams come true' - the teaching is both technical, in-depth and extremely practical and being taught by the super talented Zoe feels like a real leg-up in learning how to sew garments that are actually fitted to your body, despite being a beginner. I didn't think I would be able to draft a pattern of a favourite outfit, let alone put it together (and further adapt it) so early on in my sewing journey, so thanks SOSU!

Also, I love SOSU's demonstrated ethos of upcycling and repurposing, something that Gaye (the owner) embodies in her classes - so I'm really happy to be supporting this business.

Highly recommend for all levels.

Fantastic sewing school. I did an overlocker course and found Zoe and and Gaye to be very welcoming, knowledgeable and supportive. Very well organised with an in depth preparation email. Head and shoulders above the other places I have received received lesson. Had a great time with the group also. Highly recommend.

I completed a bra making course here with Zoe, and found it to be very informative and great fun! Very happy to add another skill to my repertoire
I highly recommend both Gaye and Zoe as fabulous and knowledgeable teachers.

Absolutely love classes with Gaye & Zoe. I’ve done a mix of workshops and private lessons and loved every minute. I’ve learned so much and had a great time. Gaye and Zoe are so knowledgeable and approachable and make everyone feel like they can achieve no matter their current skill level. Can’t wait for my next lesson.

I attended several classes and also had some private tuition from Gaye and Zoe in 2019. Since that time I have made myself several pairs of trousers, three jackets, summer and winter dressing gowns, several tops, two skirts, a dress and I've even made two pairs of cords for a friend. I haven't bought any new clothes. I will go back after all the Covid stuff is over to learn some new techniques. Sewing kept me going through lockdowns. The dress pictured is my most recent creation.

Gaye is a wonderful teacher, and the studio is a beautiful relaxed environment to improve your sewing skills and meet new people. Highly recommended!

The Sewing Machine Basics workshop this afternoon was great! The space is lovely and the parking instructions we received beforehand were really helpful. Gaye is wonderful and so patient when teaching - even when there's different machines involved. Thanks for helping me figure out my Bernina! Looking forward to coming back for another workshop soon.

Amazing classes Gaye has unbelievable knowledge who to make things work.
We have so much fun in class I can wait to book my next course

I have just finished the beginners 7 week sewing course and it was magnificent! Gaye is very generous with her time and knowledge and her explanations are easy to follow by absolute beginners like myself. The classes are friendly and relaxed. Highly recommended!

I'm currently doing a beginner's course and loving it. Gaye is a very patient and attentive teacher. The space is bright and fits our class of 7 comfortably. I started out as a complete beginner and feel much more comfortable with my machine! It's such a great skill to be learning and I highly recommend Gaye's place, you'll walk away with a great sense of achievement!

I just completed the beginners sewing course with Gaye. It was a fantastic introduction to sewing and I felt well looked after. Gaye is a excellent teacher with exceptional knowledge and patience. The classroom is a friendly and comfortable learning environment. Sewing is a great creative outlet and skill. I highly recommend it. I’ll be back for more!

Gaye and Zoe are both so welcoming and friendly, both great at what they do and the classes are really inclusive for absolutely all ages. I've really enjoyed learning here!

I knew how to sew before but never really had a proper lesson. Gaye taught me all sorts of new tricks that I had never thought of before. Highly recommend!