FAQs

- Mask optional policy, but if you would like to request a special visit with masking enforced please contact Firecracker. We lovingly request that you do not shop for camps/classes in large groups as we only have 1 person working at a time in the shop.

- Firecracker is physically attached to Cut & Sew Studio. If you are shopping for your class online and planning to pick up your order during class, please select the 'Free In-Store Pickup' option at checkout and do not pay for shipping. Your teacher will grab your order for you when you arrive. We are happy to hold orders for as long as you need! 

- You will not be able to purchase additional supplies during classes outside of shop hours. Please be sure to purchase everything you will need ahead of time. You can direct questions about appropriate supplies to Cut & Sew Studio.

- Catherine at Cut & Sew Studio works hard to supply you with instructions and helpful supply resources. Please make sure to thoroughly read and respond to all of her emails!

- There is only one person packing orders on site, and we cannot guarantee same day order fulfillment. Please place class orders at least 3 days in advance.

- We do not pack on weekends or holidays, so if you place an order on Friday for a class that weekend, it may not be ready. We don’t want kids in the weekend classes to have a negative experience, so it is absolutely essential that you plan ahead.

We are currently offering in person classes only.

MASK POLICY UPDATE:  MASKS ARE CURRENTLY OPTIONAL FOR ALL CLASSES. 

If you are not feeling well please stay home.  Please reach out to the studio if you need to miss class due to illness.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Masks are currently optional for all classes.

Please follow current CDC guidance for covid isolation, testing and quarantine and stay home if you are not feeling well.  Even if it is not covid, we appreciate students not coming to class when sick, it helps to keep us all healthy and able to continue teaching!

• If your child shows signs of illness including a fever or excessive cough or has been in close contact with anyone who has or may have coronavirus they will not be permitted to attend class until they have quarantined.  Please follow current CDC guidance for covid isolation, testing and quarantine and stay home if you are not feeling well.
• If your child is sick, with any illness, students should not attend class.  Please contact the instructor to find out if there is a makeup opportunity available (these are not guaranteed but I try hard to get them)
• You may bring your own tools from home (scissors, pins, seam ripper etc) - but students are now also permitted to share studio supplies.  If you bring your own supplies from home please label as best as possible.
• If you would like to bring your own machine to use in class you are welcome to. Please check with instructor first.
• Hand sanitizer is available throughout studio as needed.
• Please send your child with a reusable water bottle with lid. If they need more water we can refill.
• For your own piece of mind, please know that our dedicated student bathroom will be cleaned frequently and commonly touched surfaces disinfected frequently. 
• Please do not bring stuffed animals or toys to class (mostly as they cause a distraction).
• Please be prompt with pickup and please do not plan to arrive more than 5 minutes early for drop off.
• There are no refunds for missed camps or days of camp or classes or for cancelling your registration in a camp or class.
• If you need to cancel your registration in a camp or class please make sure you read the cancellation policies.

We update the site as soon as we book a new class. If you’d like to be contacted about new offerings sign up for our email list.

It is usually easiest to contact the owner, Catherine, via email Catherine@cutandsewstudio.com with any questions you may have. Feel free to also text at 412-865-6565 (or call and leave a message if I don’t answer).

If you are trying to reach Firecracker Fabrics next to the studio please call 412-450-8228.

1747 Chislett Street in Morningside, 15206

We are close to the Highland Park Zoo (in the neighborhood above the zoo).

Parking is street parking.  This is a residential area so typically parking is easy to find within a block radius of the studio.  There are no meters.  Please be aware of street cleaning signs In Spring, Summer and Fall once a month of Wednesday and Thursday during the day.

There is a bike lock-up area in front of studio.

If you’re not registered for a class, email catherine@cutandsewstudio.com or call 412-865-6565 and we’ll set up an appointment to meet a few minutes before or after a workshop. You can also stop by during Firecracker Fabrics regular business hours (please check their website or call for their hours as they change seasonally).   You will be able to take a peak into the studio, but will not necessarily be able to meet with the owner and ask questions.  It is always best to reach out in advance.

The website indicates when a session is sold out.  It’s a good idea to sign up early—it’s the best way to guarantee your spot.  Have questions about room in a particular session?  Send us an email and we’ll be happy to advise you.

For detailed information on this please see our class policies page.

For class fee information, please refer to the classes tab above and click on the class you need further information on. If you still need help, just send an email or call.

Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes before a scheduled class as sometimes classes are offered back-to-back and often that time prior to class is needed to prep for the class!  If you arrive early, and the shop is open feel free to browse their beautiful assortment of fabrics and get inspired for your next project.

Looking to buy a sewing machine....here are some things to consider!

We do not have 1 specific machine that we would recommend for all students, and there are a lot of options out there.

The machines at the studio are the Brand Babylock, and the model is Brilliant.  They were purchased from a local shop called Thornton's which has a location in the N. Hills and also Murrysville.

Another great local option is Gloria Horn, which is located in Mt. Lebanon and also in Murrysville.  There are of course other stores, these are just 2 options closer to the studio.

Link to Thornton's HERE
Link to Gloria Horn HERE

Before purchasing a machine, we recommend taking a class (or 2 or 3) to make sure you enjoy sewing and to understand how machines work as well as what you might want to do on a machine...are you looking to make clothes, do quilting, do heavy duty sewing etc?  You will also learn some of the features that are available on a machine and know what you like and what's important to you.

If you are not quite ready to purchase a machine but would like one to have at home here are a few great options:

1. Check with friends, family and neighbors.  So many people have a machine at home they don't use and would probably be happy to even loan it out for a few months while you see how much you use it and that may help you determine your budget!
2. Many local libraries have machines you can borrow just like a book!  If you search for sewing machine on the Carnegie Library Website where you search for books, you should see what is available.

Another great option is to look for a used machine.  Sometimes, if your budget doesn't permit a quality new machine, you might find a really good older machine.  Sewing machine stores typically sell refurbished machines that will come with a warranty! This is a great eco-friendly option too!  And a $100 older refurbished machine is most likely going to be a better quality machine than a $100 new machine.

If you want to buy a machine on marketplace or some other used machine, I don't typically recommend unless you have enough experience to test out the machine and feel comfortable that it has all it's parts and is working properly.  Or if you know the seller and feel comfortable with who is selling it to you.  Getting a used machine is a great way to go, especially to get started, but you don't want to get stuck with a machine that doesn't really work or is missing parts.  And consider you may need to have the machine immediately serviced (COA = clean, oil and adjust)

If you would like to purchase a new machine, there are lots of options and the best machine for you depends on your budget and what you want to do.  The machines at the studio are quite pricey (but they are heavily used so they need to be durable) so I do not typically recommend purchasing for kids since if your child is new to sewing they may not stick with this and it can be a big investment.  If the machine is being shared with an adult who also wants to use the machine, then it would be more worth it.  If you know that you or your child will be sewing a lot in the future, then by all means make a purchase for a good machine that will last you a long time and that you can grow with.  The machines at the studio are a bit more heavy duty with more internally metal parts which aids in durability.  They are also computerized which increases the cost.

There are lots of good models out there.  Babylock (what I have are great) and there are less expensive models available.  Mine have a large workspace which is part of the added cost, but most sewists get smaller sized machines if they don't sew professionally or sew a lot. 

Some other good makes: Janome and Brother (both have a range of prices available and can be found on Amazon as well), Bernina (can be pricey) and Pfaff and would be found at a dealer.  Babylock is also only found from a dealer.  Those are probably my favorites, but you will also find Singer, Huskavarna and others especially when you get into older machines.

One final note - if you are purchasing a machine for a child and decide to go with a computerized machine so they are similar to my machines, Brother machines are very similar and there are many options available online for the $2-300 range.  Look for a machine with speed control if you can as that is super helpful for the young sewist learning to control speed with the pedal.

If you find a few machines in your budget and need help narrowing or choosing feel free to reach out and let me know what you're looking at and I can help with that.  Just send an email.

I recommend Thornton Company, however I do know they are very busy with repairs, it may take a bit to get it back.

You can also check out Gloria Horn

And Altomari Sewing Machine Repair in Mt. Lebanon

The Quilting Needle North of the city has someone who comes by once a week to pick up machines to repair in his workshop.

Although we instruct and do not offer those services at Cut & Sew, we may be able to help find the right person for your project if you are not looking to take it on.  Please contact the studio for referrals.

Yes!  Since this is scheduled privately, please email or call the studio to schedule.  Private lessons must be paid in advance.

For private lessons please let us know who the lesson is for and what you would like to learn in the lesson so we can pair you with the appropriate instructor. Please also let us know how soon you would like to start as well as your general availability (daytime, evening, afterschool or weekend)

The studio offers after-school and weekend sewing programs for kids as well as summer sewing camps.  Classes begin at age 6, however a parent must decide when their child is ready to take a sewing class.  Sewing is a lot of fun, but students need to be respectful of the tools they use (the sewing machines, scissors, irons) so that they do not get injured in a class.  The attention span of a child must also be considered when looking at the length of the class.  If you are unsure if you child is ready, we can set up a private lesson to get the child started and to evaluate whether they are ready for a group class setting.  Once kids are in high-school they can begin to take the adult classes (or some of the older/teen sewing or design classes/camps.  For kids younger than 6 years old private instruction can be discussed.

Having difficulty scheduling your child to join a kid’s class?  Sometimes exceptions can be made for mature younger students, typically no younger than 7th grade level. Please contact the studio to discuss your circumstance so we can decide if an adult group class is possible.  For younger children if the group kids class schedule doesn’t work we can schedule a private lesson, or maybe even a private group session with your child and a few of their friends.