Teachers

We are so lucky to have such amazing instructors working with us at the-sew-op! Here is a little information about each one:

 

 

Tina Craig 

Tina has been quilting since the 90s and still tries to challenge herself to learn something new with every quilt. She started her own quilting business, “Seaside Stitches” in 1997 when she was making and selling tiny quilt block lapel pins. These days, she would prefer to teach you how to make your own! She specializes in precision piecing (EPP & FPP) and domestic machine quilting. She shows her work at local and regional quilt shows and has won multiple awards through the years. When she is not teaching, you can find her enjoying the Rhode Island scenery.

                    

Donna Dyer 

Donna is a newly retired school psychologist, whose passion for quilting and quilt history has her geared up for her second career as a part-time quilt instructor. She has been quilting/sewing on and off for nearly 20 years. Her interest is teaching and inspiring beginner level students to dive into the wonderful world of quilting! Her instructional style is slow and steady, with a good dose of forgiveness for “happy accidents” (mistakes). Her Beginner Quilt Series will take you from the very basics to completing two small quilts in a matter of weeks! Come join Donna on this creative and satisfying journey! 

 

Meg Goulart 

Meg studied Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design at URI and graduated in 2019. She learned how to sew at a young age and hasn't stopped since! Meg has won awards for her designs in the URI Spring Splash fashion shows in 2018 and 2019. She likes to have fun when sewing and get creative with scraps. She teaches kids, teens and workshops at the shop, but her favorite thing is to help customers find the perfect fabric for their next project! If you're a sew-op regular you've definitely seen Meg behind the counter.

 

   

Jane Headley

Jane is an expert sewist. She has been sewing since she was 9. When she is not making her Chanel-like jackets, she is teaching our guided sew courses & private lessons. Jane has also taught a variety of quilting classes, created paper piecing patterns, and taught fashion sewing classes. After retiring in 2002, Jane took the URI Master Seamstress I program, and it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the process and begin teaching classes. She is a joy to have in the studio and has an encouraging way about her teaching method. 

 

 

Suzanne Mancini

Suzanne began sewing as a child at home with her mom. Her love for textiles and sewing never stopped.  She pursued an education in clothing design and construction earning a BFA in Apparel Design at Rhode Island School of Design. She worked in the Fashion Industry in New York City, then earned a Masters in Education at NYU. She was an adjunct professor at RISD for 16 years, combining her two loves; teaching and fashion.  Suzanne opened the-sew-op in 2016 to share her love of sewing with children and adults. 

 

Kate West 

Kate has lived in North Kingstown for over 21 years. She has been sewing since she was a brownie (a long time ago!) Her mother taught her and her 4 sisters how to sew. While overseas in the Philippines she was taught how to quilt by another American, who started their own quilting group. Quilting has always been her favorite, but since teaching classes at the-sew-op, she has started to make other things using patterns! She is recently retired from working at Newport Hospital as an RN and she likes to use her new free time to sew. Kate has been enjoying teaching sewing courses at the-sew-op and can’t wait to help others find their passion for sewing!