Sew Fast Sew Easy Inc

I took a class at this place several years ago, hoping to overcome the "fear of sewing machines" I'd acquired in 8th grade because of a belittling shop teacher. Unfortunately the woman who owns Sew Fast So Easy could have been that woman's much more evil twin. Seriously, she is like the wicked stepmother in a children's story. Can't figure out how a woman like that stays in business. They actually ridicule you if you don't catch on quickly to their poor instruction!

Stupidly, I considered buying a sewing machine from them after the class ended. But the owner refused to sell me one!! She decided that my attitude was not positive enough -- she was insulted that I left the last session 10 minutes early.

I am so glad to finally be able to write the review they deserve! Fortunately, a year later, I took a sewing class with a sane teacher and really learned something -- for far less money.

Pros: none

Cons: poor teaching, very nasty owner

Posted 09/22/09

I called around to several stores looking for a good price on sewing machines. To my dismay, no one would give me a price online citing it is the manufacturers policy. So I finally get someone at Sew Fast Sew Easy to answer my questions and they invited me to come to the store to get the price.

On my visit, I was informed of the different types of sewing machines, feet and embroidery options. I had already decided for Christmas I would treat myself to an embroidery machine that also offers sewing. I met with their embroidery guy who showed me many options.

In the end, I feel I got an awesome deal. On Black Friday, I purchased an embroidery machine with a lot of perks. Free threads, stabilizers, and even a free high end sewing machine sale. I received free training on my sewing machine and I have software that allows me to design my own embroidery designs.

Sew Fast Sew Easy's ease of purchase, knowledge of their products and training was the best. I did shop around several stores in NY, NJ and PA over the past couple of months, but this was top service. I would suggest Sew Fast Sew Easy for your next purchase on a sewing machine if it was even half as great as mine has been.

Pros: very knowledgable staff, training, great product

Cons: No prices over phone

Posted 12/02/08

I signed up for classes here and had a lot of fun learning to sew. I had taken a sewing class at FIT which was way over priced for the lack of information that was taught and the class dragged on for 3 months. Not to mention I was stuck with spoiled kids fresh out of high school. I was able to re-learn the basics of sewing in a relaxed environment with people that were like minded. The average age of the students was probably around 30. It was fun and hip and I had gained a lot. I'm very happy with my experience here. I also bougth my machine from them and I love it!

Pros: fun relaxed sewing class

Posted 10/27/08

I learned to sew from this school and had a great time. I found their new book on Threadbanger and it had this review. I bough the book and have been loving the projects I've made.

Sew Fast Sew Easy Sew On by Elissa K. Meyrich is an all-out, hip manual to the art of sewing and serging. Made by the founder and president of SewFastSewEasy, a company renowned for helping everyday hipsters become competent seamsters, it is a thorough and appealing handbook for novices to the art of garment creation.

As for content, Sew Fast Sew Easy Sew On thoroughly covers the basics of the sewing process, from choosing tools and fabrics, to understanding patterns, to instructions on how to use a sewing machine and serger, to tips on simple sewing techniques like sewing on buttons and how to make a hem. It also includes very handy charts and a glossary. Most importantly though, it contains step by step instructions and included patterns for five projects, such as a simple T-shirt and an iPod holder. I personally, am a big fan of the "hipster drawstring pants," and although it would not be flattering on me, I do appreciate the look of a "scarf halter wrap-around dress" on women.

The instructions for these projects, and in the book as a whole, are very thorough, and it is very clear that Elissa K. Meyrich is a veteran teacher. Her hours teaching classes at Parsons School of Design and at her company in New York City show through. One of her instructions for threading a sewing machine tells you to turn the handwheel slowly "TOWARDS" you, and just hints at the many, many novices who must have turned the wheel the wrong way.

Sew Easy Sew Fast Sew On is a thorough, useful, and stylish book for those intent on learning the art of of clothes creation, and is available at www.sewfastseweasy(dot)com. Also, check out the lessons on the website for some of the best DIY clothing training in New York City and on the web.

Read the whole reveiew at threadbanger (dot) com

Pros: Friendly and knowledgeable staff and instructors

Posted 10/20/08

I was a mess looking for a sewing machine for my wife who is studying at Parsons. This sewing shop was so helpful showing me the difference between machines and finding the right one for her. They explained why they carried what they do and that they stand behind their products. I find that really comforting. No one seems to stand behind what they're selling anymore. It's like shopping at Wallmart anywhere you go. If you have an issue, your up sh@t creek. Buying the machine here I knew I was getting quality and would be looked after. My wife was very happy with her machine, it was perfect for her. Thank you Sew Fast Sew Easy for your help!

Pros: extremely helpful

Posted 10/14/08

I just bought a fantastic sewing machine from Sew Fast Sew Easy. The woman who helped me was extremely helpfull and showed me everything I needed to know to get started on my machine. What's nice about this shop is that they won't sell you a machine just to sell you a machine. They really listen to what your looking for and what you need. I bought a middle level machine and they didn't try to push me into their more expensive machines. I really appreciate that. I hate sales people that are jsut trying to make a dollar off you.

Pros: Great selection and range of prices for sewing and embroidery machines

Posted 10/06/08

I was eager to buy a sewing machine after visiting the website and arrived at the store with a few questions. The woman in charge was not only incredibly rude and condescending but told me she did not want to sell me the machine I was interested in because of my momentary hesitation on the price. When I told her I would take the machine, what I thought of as the end of the sales battle, she continued to badger me about how serious I was about wanting it. She told me my questions were not worth her time, even though the shop was otherwise empty, and in the end I left angry and insulted. I plan to tell my network of local fashion students and graduates that "SEW FAST SEW EASY" is nothing of the sort and should be avoided at all costs.

Posted 10/03/08

I had a month to learn to sew. This sewing school had a lot of different schedules to choose from. They saved my tuckus. I learned to sew in a 3 day express class. I had a great time learning here. Highly recommend

Pros: options for class schedules

Cons: They were great, I have no cons

Posted 09/23/08

I had to learn to sew and took classes from Sew Fast Sew Easy. Their sewing classes are intimate, 8 students in my class, so it was great having one on one instructions from the teacher. The prices are fair, $350 for a 5 week class vs $600 at Parsons, where you focus on one garment for 3 months. One of my professors at Parsons ended up buying Brother machines from Sew Fast Sew Easy for the use of a home sewing machine instead of the industrial style machines at the school because their prices were best. Overall I had a great experience at Sew Fast Sew Easy. If they offered more advanced sewing and patternmaking classes, I would go back for them.

Pros: Great customer service, Fair prices, awesome teachers and classes

Cons: wish there were more advanced classes and patternmaking

Posted 08/26/08

My professor at FIT recommended that I take a beginner sewing class from here. I was in a draping class but didn't know how to sew. I couldn't wait for the next semester, nor did I want to waste a whole semester on beginner sewing, so this sewing school was perfect for my schedule. They have sewing classes that start periodically throughout the month. The instructor was really helpful and really knew what she was talking about. I learned garment construction, industry techniques and terminology and about diferent tools and machine feet. This place is one of a kind. It's fun and laidback, you don't have to worry about being graded! I highly recommend these sewing classes. I give it 4 stars for the lack of space

Pros: great teachers

Cons: small venue

Posted 08/21/08

In addition to being EXTREMEMLY overpriced, ($350 for beginner lessons + about $100 in supplies you have shell out yourself) this place has ZERO sense of customer service. I just finished my beginner's classes at Sew Fast Sew Easy and I have to say that the owner of this place is SO mean and SO rude. She will NICKLE and DIME you any chance she gets. Upon arriving for your first class, she is in your face about getting the remainder of your payment, she charges you $5 if you forget to print out your online registration page!!, and she requires you to sign 3 waivers about the most ridiculous things... (e.g. "If you call the store with questions.. we charge $10 per question"). The handbook that they give you to reference is 40 pages of typed and written messy notes that are stapled together. They were so cheap that they couldn't even have the notes bound!

All in all, I would not go back for the intermediate level classes. The only reason I stayed through the whole beginners series was because I paid $150 non-refundable registration fee before I started.

Go to FIT or NYU for sewing classes. Whoever gave this store 5 stars must have been an employee.

Posted 08/03/08

I found sewing classes here on city search at Sew Fast Sew Easy and couldn't be happier. The store has extensive beginner sewing classes, one of which I took, and they have sewing machines for each student to sew on. It was one on one learning with their instructors. I'm now signed up for an intermediate class there and am on my way to designing and making samples for my own line I'm developing. I also bought a sewing nad embroidery machine combo there. It's amazing what this machine can do! I'm set up for creating anything that I can possibly dream up.

Pros: easy learning atmosphere, great instructors, great priced sewing and embroidery machines

Cons: Not open on sundays

Posted 11/26/07

I brought my sewing machine into Sew Fast Sew Easy to repair my old singer. I've been creating costumes for broadway shows for the past 10 years on that machine. I've had to take it in a couple times for maintenance and was spending a bunch of money each time. I found these guys and they had fast service at an incredibly low price for repairs. You can't find repairs under $200 in the city, unless you go through Sew Fast Sew Easy. I had a great experience with them and will forever trust them with all my sewing machines.

Pros: fast service, low prices, great atmosphere

Cons: closes a little early, 6pm

Posted 11/26/07

While taking some classes at Sew Fast Sew Easy, I took my sewing machine in to get repaired. I asked for an estimate prior to the work being done. When I followed up on the repair, I was told the work had been completed -- no estimate. When I expressed my dissatisfaction, the staff including the president, Elissa Meyrich, told me that they are too busy to deal with details, their repair guy never gives estimates, and I should be lucky to have him work on my machine because he is good and cheap. Subsequently, I received a snotty, snide, sarcastic voice mail message from Ms. Meyrich (which she obviously had time to leave even though she did not have time to get me an estimate) telling me that repairs cost money and that their solution to my complaint was to refund my $25 deposit and then Sew Fast Sew Easy would keep my machine. I never got a sincere apology, only a sarcastic "thank you for arguing with them". They obviously have unethical business practices and their "customer service" is the worst that I have ever experienced.

Pros: Not much

Cons: Unethical business practices and horrible customer service

Posted 11/25/07

I took a beginner sewing class @ Sew Fast Sew Easy and had a fabulous experience. I found them online at www.sewfastseweasy DOT com and registered there. They gave me a discounted price on my sewing machine because I had enrolled in their classes. They really took care of me. I highly recommend them. They are easy to get to being in midtown at 35th st and 6th ave. I'm now taking their intermediate sewing class, where they made a custom pattern for me from my measurements. These guys are great!

Pros: Professionaly trained instructors, nice clean relaxing environment, personal machine to sew on, creative projects

Cons: I never want to leave! Wish the classes went longer

Posted 11/19/07

I was looking for an embroidery and sewing machine to start my home business and they were really hard to find in the city. I found Sew Fast Sew Easy online and they had a big selection of machines. They were able to offer me a low price on a sewing and embroidery machine combo and they threw in a buinch of extras like stabliazers and thread with my purchase. Thay also gave me a two hour private lesson on my machine. I've been really happy with my purchase and my home business has been doing great. They made it really easy for me to set up my business and start it running smooth.

Pros: friendly staff, great selection of product, awesome deals, great training

Cons: Not being able to find them faster

Posted 11/19/07

I found sewfastseweasy/ StitchandBitch Cafe online and took an extensive beginner class with them. It was awesome! I learned a lot more than I was expecting and now am able to sew my own clothes and designs. I also bought my sewing machine from them at a great price. Much cheaper than anyone else I found in Manhattan or online. I continue to buy my supplies from them because of their great prices and easy ordering. They really know their stuff when it comes to sewing techniques and the products they sell.

Pros: information that's taught and the quality of the products sold. The machines used for classes

Cons: no fabric sold there

Posted 07/23/07

I really enjoyed my beginner sewing class at Sew Fast Sew Easy. I learned to use the sewing machine and am finishing up my class with Gregory. He is very knowledgeable and shares a lot of information. A friend of mine had Lisa and she learned a lot. Great staff, a lot of information and they made me love sewing. I have my eye on their Level II class.

Pros: Great Teachers, Fun, Knowledge driven

Cons: NYC size space

Posted 02/28/06

They are excellent in their knowledge and communication. Some of the teachers are a little overbearing, but the atmosphere is extremely focused on learning.

Posted 11/23/05

It could have been enjoyable; the staff was decent, but the instructors move too fast. As soon as just one student grasped a lesson, the instructor moved on to the next step, neglecting and leaving everyone else behind. I was there because I had absolutely NO knowledge on sewing whatsoever, hence the reason I selected the beginner's class but it wasn't moving at beginners pace! The instructor would use all this fashion/sewing terminology that the average person wouldn't know. She would also skip over some aspects and only when you'd get stuck did she go over it. Not good enough for something that cost me more than $300.

Pros: Amicable

Cons: Neglectful, Expensive

Posted 10/25/05