About The Maker's Familiar

Welcome to The Maker’s Familiar, a cozy little corner for learning, making, and finding a little magic in the process.

A familiar is a magical companion - a spirit or creature who helps a witch with their craft. The Maker’s Familiar is here to be that companion for you.

Whether you’re picking up a needle and thread for the first time, dusting off a long-forgotten sewing machine, or looking to turn the ideas in your head into something you can actually wear, we’re here to help you along the way.

Our in-person sewing lessons are designed to be approachable, encouraging, and hands-on. No sewing experience is required, and there’s no expectation that you already know the language of patterns, machines, or mysterious little symbols printed on instruction sheets. We’ll figure it out together.

Sewing is about learning to trust your hands, solving little puzzles, making mistakes, trying again, and then looking at something you created and thinking: “I made that.”

The Maker’s Familiar is here to help you get there with a bit of patience, a bit of creativity, and perhaps a touch of magic.

Meet Jenny

Hi, I’m Jenny, owner and instructor at The Maker’s Familiar!

I got my first sewing machine almost 15 years ago. I was in my mid-twenties and had recently moved across the country from San Diego, CA to Charlotte, NC for a job opportunity and found myself needing something to keep my mind and hands busy during the transition. I started with YouTube tutorials and blog posts to help guide me through my first few simple projects. But I truly leveled up when I signed up for beginner sewing classes at a local shop. This face-to-face instruction was invaluable. It gave me the confidence and sense of adventure to tackle bigger projects. Since then, I’ve built my skills and intuition through a variety of projects - from quilts and tote bags to dresses, coats, and swimsuits. 

To me, sewing is magic! I can take a flat piece of fabric and transform it into a dress that fits beautifully, or a patchwork quilt that becomes a family heirloom. Beyond the craft itself, sewing has been a sanctuary for me. It has kept me grounded in times of homesickness, helped me navigate the darkness of postpartum depression and anxiety, and continues to help me build a more positive relationship with my own body. And in a world of fast fashion and AI generated art, sewing empowers me to take a slow, intentional, hands-on approach.

I can’t wait to share my love of sewing with you! I’ll help guide you through every technique, troubleshoot the tricky parts, and hep you achieve your creative goals.