Sewing studio expands with new location, creative programs

Sensational Sewing Studio, a brand new sewing school dedicated to teaching sewing, textiles and design, was the location of the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce Morning CONNECTIONS Road Trip and ribbon cutting on Wednesday morning, April 15. Cara Burnham, the store’s owner, was the host. The studio’s new expanded location is at 500 S. Prospect Ave., Hartville. The phone number is 330-267-8759, and the website is sensationalsewingstudio.com.

As Burnham states, “We are a sensory store and sewing school dedicated to creating exceptional handmade weighted blankets and other items. Enjoy a sewing lesson or creative camp in our studio with a professional designer. Be sensational with us!”

The Sensational Sewing Studio offers sewing and textile camps, weekly sewing lessons for tweens and teens, homeschool learning opportunities and small class sizes with a focus on creativity in a safe environment. Classes are taught by highly qualified, background-checked designers and instructors.

The sewing classes for tweens and teens were founded to be a place that is perfect for creators eager to learn the lifelong skill of sewing in a fun and safe environment. The classes are designed for students of various ages and skill levels, and all class sizes are kept small to maximize individual attention and safety.

Classes include “Sewing After School” in weekly group lessons, introducing youth to new skills each week using engaging projects designed especially for tweens and teens. Two time slots allow students to learn alongside their peers, encouraging creative discussion and fun. Lessons are conducted in six-week units designed to take a student from beginner to mastery. The age groups are 8-13 and 13-18, with sessions Tuesdays from 2:30-4 p.m. for middle and high school students and 4-5:30 p.m. for elementary-age students. Pricing begins at $180 and includes one free Open Sew session.

The studio also provides Open Sew Studio Time, a supervised, hands-on opportunity for students to practice what they have learned or try new projects independently. Open Sew is often available during school closures due to weather and teacher professional development days. Sessions are offered Thursdays from 2:30-5 p.m., with one-hour increments costing $15. Students must have completed an introductory sewing class to participate.

Full-day camps called “Fun with Fabrics,” a textile-based creative camp, are available for students ages 8-15. Participants learn to create a variety of seasonally themed projects. Camps are offered as half-day, full-day and multi-day sessions during school breaks and holidays. Pricing is $50 for a half day, $95 for a full day and $400 for a weeklong camp.

Burnham has also designed “Homeschoolers Unite: A Morning of Creating,” inviting homeschool students to learn new life skills in a creative setting. The class meets Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m., with a cost of $25 per person and limited weekly spaces to maintain a strong learning environment.

A foundational class, “Sew Essential: Intro to Sewing,” introduces students to basic sewing skills, including threading a machine, sewing basic stitches and working safely with equipment such as irons, needles and pins. The class is held monthly or by appointment, lasts two hours and costs $35. It also serves as a prerequisite for Open Sew sessions.

Additional offerings include a “Mom and Me” or “Dad and Me” class for parents and children to create projects together while learning new skills. Designed for ages 4-11, the class focuses on hand sewing and shared experiences. It is offered by appointment, lasts up to 1.5 hours and costs $35 for one adult and one child.

Advanced classes are available in areas such as using a serger, working with challenging fabrics, pattern drafting, draping, design, corsetry, promwear and other special-occasion garments. These classes are offered one-on-one or in small groups for ages 8-80, with pricing based on the scope of instruction.

In addition to sewing instruction, the studio features a retail component offering handmade weighted and sensory products available both in-store and online.

Burnham’s background is rooted in design. Known by the nickname “Brit,” she was born in Great Britain and began designing wedding dresses as a child. As an adult, she pursued her goal of designing women’s evening gowns, earning a degree and later studying at the London College of Fashion and Bridalwear, where she developed her technical skills and design perspective.

Her path shifted after the birth of her first child, Rowan, who introduced her to the world of neurodiversity, including therapies and support needs. Recognizing a lack of affordable, high-quality sensory products, Burnham began creating her own, starting with weighted blankets. That was 10 years ago, leading to continued development of products such as weighted lap pads and other sensory tools made with American-made glass microbeads and produced in Ohio.

The studio’s approach is rooted in the concept of deep pressure touch, commonly used by occupational therapists to provide calming effects for individuals with autism, ADHD and anxiety. While research continues to support these benefits, the business notes that its products are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions and encourages consultation with medical professionals for individualized care.