Decatur Sewing Classes Unite Generations with Hands-On Learning

In Decatur, Illinois, a hands-on sewing class is bringing people together and giving folks a valuable skill they might not have picked up otherwise. The INC.Spot recently started offering beginner and project-based sewing classes, and they’re filling up fast.

Brianna Durr, who owns The Sewing Circle, leads the classes. She wanted to make sewing accessible in Central Illinois again, especially since high schools don’t really teach it anymore. Durr’s program aims to revive the craft and give people a break from screens—plus, that feeling when you actually finish something with your own hands? Hard to beat.

Why Sewing Classes Matter in Decatur

Decatur used to teach sewing in schools, but that’s faded away. Brianna Durr noticed and decided to do something about it.

*I wanted to bring it back into Decatur and thread generations together,* she says. Her classes aim to reconnect the community with a skill that some folks thought they’d never learn.

Beginner Classes That Actually Work

The beginner sewing classes are built for people who’ve never touched a sewing machine—or maybe forgot how. Each two-day session covers:

• Sewing machine basics
• Threading
• Winding a bobbin
• Sewing zippers
• Working with interfacing

By the end, students make a zipper pouch and a tote bag. It’s not just theory—everyone gets their hands moving and walks out with something real.

Student Experiences and Benefits

Stephanie King found the class on Facebook and jumped in. *Everything I order has been coming where it needs to be tailored or at least hemmed up,* she says.

King hadn’t sewn since junior high, and her attempt to relearn during the pandemic didn’t go well. But this time, the hands-on teaching helped. *Brianna is really patient,* King says. *She goes at our pace, and I know more today than I did a couple of days ago.*

More Than Just Sewing

King also likes that the class lets her unplug for a while. *I wanted to stay off the internet a little bit, stop doomscrolling and do something productive,* she says.

Finishing a project gives her a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to get from scrolling online.

Teaching and Learning, For Real

Brianna Durr gets a kick out of teaching these classes. *I love to see people finish their projects,* she says.

*They create something from start to finish, and everybody smiles. It’s a great feeling.*

How to Join In

Students can bring their own sewing machines if they want to learn on what they’ll use at home. If not, machines are available to rent for $20.

All other materials come with the class. Group sizes stay small, so everyone gets some attention. For updates on upcoming classes, Durr suggests checking her Facebook page.

Want to sign up or just curious? You can find more info and enroll at the official [source](https://www.wandtv.com/community/sewing-classes-in-decatur-aims-to-thread-generations-together/article_b725c5d9-54fb-422c-b659-dd162c14a7dc.html).

Conclusion

The sewing classes at The INC.Spot in Decatur go beyond simple instruction. They weave together people from different generations, which is honestly pretty rare these days.

Brianna Durr saw a gap in accessible sewing education and jumped in to help. She’s teaching a skill that’s honestly pretty useful, and offers a welcome break from all the screens in our lives.

Maybe you want to save a few bucks on clothing repairs. Maybe you’re just looking for a hobby that doesn’t involve scrolling.

Either way, these classes have something for just about everyone. Why not give it a try?