About Make It Nifty
About Make It nifty
The goal at Make It Nifty is the students walk away with the skills, knowledge and confidence to sew on their own.
At Make It Nifty students are taught sewing techniques and knowledge while having a good time.
Students are encouraged to “give it a go”; progress is better than perfection. Students should leave class feeling happy that they have tried something new; proud that they made something with their own two hands and skill, and confident they could do it again.
Make It Nifty is a (very) small private business that was started in 2015 on Vanessa’s dining table. Make It Nifty is now located in a studio space on the ground floor of Vanessa’s home in Bracken Ridge.
About Vanessa
Hello,
I’m the lady-who-does-everything at Make It Nifty.
I enjoy sewing and making clothes. I occasionally knit,crochet and other crafts as well, but sewing is my favourite.
My mum first taught me to sew when I was little. I made a few projects but I moved onto other things and quickly forgot about sewing. In my early 20’s I returned to sewing when I bought my own sewing machine. To begin with, I sewed crafty things like mini quilts, cushion covers and zipper pouches.
I started sewing clothes when I woke up one New Year’s day and decided I was going to make my own clothes because I was fed up with going to the shops and not being able to find clothes that I liked or fit me properly.
My first clothing project was a pair of pyjama shorts made from a sheet I had bought at an op-shop. The shorts looked terrible, but I was so proud of them because I had made something I could wear. I’ve been sewing clothes ever since and my passion for sewing and dressmaking keeps growing.
I started Make It Nifty because I wanted a way I could combine two of my favourite things – sewing and sharing my knowledge with others. I enjoy helping people to learn and I want to share my love for sewing and dressmaking by holding classes at my home north of Brisbane.
My big dream is to have a studio where people can learn sewing, dressmaking and other fibre art skills.
Happy sewing,
Vanessa
Studio Sewing Machines
Brother Innov-is A16
Here at the studio we use the Brother Innov-is A16
These machines were selected for the following features:
- Sewing speed control slider
- Very easy needle threader
- Alert when trying to sew with the presser foot up
- Limited number of stitches - makes it simple to use
- Very easy to change stitch length and width settings
As at Nov 2022 the RRP for this machine is $525
The studio machines were purchased in 2022 from Sherlock Holmes Sewing Machines, who I use and recommend for machine purchases and servicing.
Bringing Your Own Sewing Machine?
- ⛔No mini, toy & handheld machines.
- ✅Bernina, Brother, Elna, Husqvarna, Janome, Pfaff, Singer machines are welcome.
- If you're unsure, get in touch before booking.
Check the machine is in proper working order. If not, get it serviced by a reputable sewing machine workshop (avoid advertisers on Gumtree or Facebook). This avoids frustration during the event due to a faulty machine.