Hi, I'm Hannah — and I've Been Sewing Long Enough to Know What Actually Trips Beginners Up
I started sewing over ten years ago and never really stopped. What began as a personal hobby slowly turned into something I couldn't keep to myself — because sewing is one of those skills that genuinely changes how you see clothes, fabric, and what your own hands are capable of making.
I'm the owner and instructor behind Modistra Sews, a sewing instruction business based in North County San Diego. I hold a Burda Style sewing instructor certification, and I've spent the last eight years teaching adults and children how to sew — from absolute beginners who've never touched a machine to intermediate sewists ready to tackle their first garment.
Why I Started Teaching
I love the moment a student realizes they actually made something. There's a shift that happens — usually around the time they finish their first seam or cut into fabric they picked themselves — where it stops feeling like a task and starts feeling like a skill that belongs to them.
That's what I'm here for.
A lot of sewing instruction out there is either too fast, too vague, or assumes you already know things nobody told you. I teach the way I wish I'd been taught: clearly, with real explanations for why things work the way they do, and with enough patience to make sure nothing gets skipped over.
What I Teach
I offer sewing classes and private lessons throughout San Diego, covering a wide range of skill levels and project types:
Where You Can Find Me
I teach at several venues across North County San Diego
- The Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista
- Quilt in a Day in San Marcos
- Vesper Design Studio in Rancho Santa Fe
- Fallbrook Library in Fallbrook
I also offer private in-home sewing lessons throughout San Diego County — which is a great option if you have your own machine and want instruction tailored specifically to your projects and your setup.
My Approach to Sewing Instruction
I don't believe in one-size-fits-all teaching. Everyone learns differently, and everyone comes to sewing with a different set of goals. Some of my students want to make their own clothes. Some want to create handmade gifts. Some want to build real construction skills and eventually design garments from scratch. My job is to meet you where you are and help you build the foundation — or the next layer of skill — that moves you toward whatever you're trying to make.
In my classes, you can expect:
**Clear, jargon-free explanations.**
I use proper sewing terminology (because it actually helps), but I always explain what things mean and why they matter. You won't leave my class more confused than when you arrived.
**Hands-on practice.**
Watching someone sew is not the same as sewing. My classes are project-based because doing is how this stuff actually sticks.
**An encouraging, low-pressure environment.**
Mistakes are part of learning. I've made every one of them, and I'll help you fix them — and understand why they happened — so they don't keep showing up in your work.
A Little More About Me
When I'm not teaching, I'm usually at my own machine. I participate in Me Made May every year and I'm always working on something — whether that's a garment, a bag, or a visible mending project on something I love too much to throw away.I'm particularly passionate about garment construction — understanding fit, fabric behavior, and how commercial patterns are drafted so you can actually adjust them to work for your body.Sewing is a skill that rewards patience and practice, and I've found it to be one of the most genuinely satisfying things I do. I want that for my students too.
Ready to Learn to Sew in San Diego?
Whether you're looking for a beginner sewing class near you, want to develop your garment sewing skills, or are ready to book a **private sewing lesson** at your home, I'd love to hear from you.
Check out my current class schedule or get in touch to talk about what you're hoping to make. Let's get you sewing.
Modistra Sews offers sewing classes and private instruction throughout San Diego County, including Vista, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe, Fallbrook, and surrounding areas.