The Fashion Class Gives Kids a Unique, Screen-Free Activity

The Sewing School Franchise Blends Hands-On Fun, Skill Building and Creativity

The average kid today spends more than seven hours a day on screens, according to an American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry report. For a lot of families, finding something that can compete with phones, tablets and endless scrolling is no easy task.

Enter The Fashion Class. Founded by entrepreneur Kerri Quigley (above) in 2010, the interactive sewing school franchise gives kids a one-of-a-kind screen-free activity. “Just like some kids are involved in music and dance, fashion offers another enrichment option,” Quigley says. “If you have a child who maybe doesn’t want to dance or do theater or be competitive in sports, it’s a nice alternative.”

At The Fashion Class, kids can work with their hands, build practical skills and enjoy the creative process through age-appropriate instruction.  

A Childhood Passion

“My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was six years old,” Quigley says. “Even though I didn’t have access to a sewing machine at home, I would glue gun my clothing together and then wear it to school… anything to create.”

Quigley’s love of fashion led her to Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she studied business and took classes in sewing and design. But she graduated during the Great Recession and opportunities were scarce. “The fashion industry is notorious for not being high-paying. So during a recession, forget it,” she says.

She pieced together freelance work designing pet clothing, women’s wear, “whatever I could find,” and started teaching sewing on the side. 

“I quickly realized I had something because the classes just kept growing and growing,” she says. Within a year, at just 24, she signed a lease for her first studio in Manhattan’s Garment District. “It was a really exciting time… designing my first studio. It was really, really cool.”

Multiple Offerings

The Fashion Class grew from sewing classes for elementary school-aged children and expanded into summer camps, birthday parties and private lessons. “The core of the business has always been after-school programs,” Quigley says. 

“We call our sessions ‘seasons,’ since they run seasonally just like the fashion industry does. Each one lasts about 12 weeks, and students complete multiple projects. They use the sewing machine and make clothing that they can actually wear.”

Each season ends with a signature runway show. “We set up a big runway and the kids walk out wearing all the items that they’ve made,” she says. “Parents are clapping and whistling and obviously taking tons of video… There’s so much energy. Watching students step onto the runway in something they created themselves is really cool to see — their enthusiasm and confidence comes through.”

Over time, the business evolved to reach more audiences. A teen program came first, followed by adult classes. “For adults, it’s more of a one-off experience,” she explains. “They can do a two-hour class and leave with something that they’ve sewn — something usable.”

After becoming a parent, Quigley realized how capable toddlers were and created a program for kids as young as two years old. “They’re really just pushing string through giant holes — no needles, no sewing machine — but they’re making tutus and purses and just really cute things. It helps to build up their fine motor skills.”

Interest in The Fashion Class has remained strong over the years. “It really just boils down to the fact that sewing is a life skill. It requires patience and focus, but it’s a lot of fun.”

Accessible Programs

Programs are built for beginners and intermediate students, with clear, step-by-step instruction. Students keep coming back season after season because the projects are always changing, which keeps things interesting and helps drive strong retention. “We have a really great return rate,” she says.

Franchising was part of Quigley’s long-term vision from the start. “I built the business with franchising in mind,” she says. The concept is especially well-suited for franchise growth because the curriculum is already structured and easy to teach. Franchisees do not need sewing experience; they focus on running the business, while instructors lead the classes.

A typical studio is about 1,800 square feet. One early franchisee opened with a team of six sewing instructors and more established locations may operate with larger staffs. The concept also works in a wide range of markets. “It doesn’t need to be in a big city,” Quigley says. “This is an amazing program in any community.”

Support from REP’M Group

To support its franchise growth, The Fashion Class partnered with REP’M Group. Quigley realized the move from running classes to selling franchises called for a very different skill set. 

“The franchise world is very, very different,” she says. “REP’M had a clear plan of action and so much experience. I know they have my back. No matter what question I have, they’ve heard it and they know the different options. For a founder entering a new phase, guidance like that is invaluable.”

While The Fashion Class is growing its franchise opportunity, education remains central to the brand’s identity. The program is accredited by STEM.org, recognizing the technical side of sewing. “They see the science and tech involved in sewing, which I think is pretty cool,” she says.

Fifteen years after launching her first studio, Quigley remains focused on giving kids a place to create. “The Fashion Class offers an experience rooted in patience, focus and hands-on fun, something many kids won’t even realize they have been missing until they sit down at a sewing machine and start making something of their own,” she says.

For more information, visit The Fashion Class website.