Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Reid.
Hi Kathryn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
SewHampton began with a little time off, a love of creativity, and an unexpected invitation from my daughter.
For many years, I had worked as a Live Event Producer and had built my own event production company. I loved the excitement of creating experiences, bringing ideas to life, and figuring out all the details that make an event come together. But in the summer of 2013, I found myself with a little time off.
My daughter was working at a summer camp in East Hampton and suggested that I might enjoy teaching in their Fashion Design program. The concept was simple but exciting: teach the kids how to sew and design their own creations, and then produce a fashion show at the end of the program.
The sewing part wasn’t completely new to me.
I had learned to sew as a child, but it was during college that I really developed my sewing and design skills. I studied Theatre Design, with a major in Lighting Design. Our school had a small design department and a very large acting program, so the design students supported a tremendous number of productions. Although lighting was my primary focus, I also worked with the costume department, which gave me another opportunity to sew, create, and understand the process of bringing a design from an idea to something tangible.
After college, however, my career took me in a different direction. Event production became my profession, and sewing became something I did much less often.
Then came that summer at camp.
I absolutely loved teaching the kids. I loved watching them learn how to use a sewing machine, solve problems, make decisions about their designs, and—most importantly—see something they had imagined become something they could actually hold in their hands.
And then there was the fashion show.
That part felt very familiar. I knew how to create an event, tell a story, manage the details, and create an experience that people would remember. Suddenly, I realized that I had found a way to bring together so many of the things I loved.
I remember thinking, “I can make a business out of this.”
So I did.
I put my event-production and marketing experience to work. I created the name SewHampton, trademarked it, developed the brand, and started building a presence on social media. Initially, I thought SewHampton would be a business focused primarily on teaching children to sew.
But, as often happens with good ideas, SewHampton grew into something much bigger than I originally imagined.
Over the years, I have taught people ranging in age from 5 to 85. I’ve discovered that sewing isn’t really about age at all. It’s about curiosity, creativity, patience, and the wonderful feeling of making something yourself.
One of the things I love most about SewHampton is watching that moment when someone finishes a project and realizes, “I made this.” Whether it’s a child learning to use a sewing machine for the first time or an adult finally tackling a project they’ve always wanted to try, there is a tremendous sense of accomplishment that comes from creating something with your own hands.
SewHampton has also continued to evolve beyond classes.
This past winter, I had the opportunity to open a pop-up studio in the Village of East Hampton, operating from October through April. Having a physical space had always been part of my vision for SewHampton. I wanted a place where people could come together, learn, create, get help with projects, and feel part of a community.
That six-month pop-up was incredibly exciting—and exceeded my expectations.
During those six months, my client base grew tenfold, and I was able to expand what SewHampton offers. In addition to private and group sewing lessons, I now offer clothing alterations, repairs, and home décor projects.
The studio also reinforced something I had always believed: there is a real desire for a place where people can learn practical skills, be creative, and connect with one another.
And there is another part of SewHampton that has become increasingly important to me—reuse and sustainability.
I love helping people repair a favorite piece of clothing rather than throw it away. I love finding solutions to problems and figuring out how something can be repaired, redesigned, or repurposed. I enjoy giving new life to fabrics and garments that might otherwise end up in a landfill.
For me, sewing is about much more than making something pretty.
It’s about making, fixing, creating, learning, and reusing.
It’s about taking something that doesn’t work and figuring out how to make it work. It’s about learning a skill that can stay with you for a lifetime. It’s about the pride that comes from saying, “I made this myself.”
And it’s about community.
What started as a summer teaching opportunity in 2013 has grown into SewHampton—a creative community where people of all ages can learn, make, repair, and share their love of sewing.
I still bring everything I’ve learned from years of producing live events into SewHampton. But now, instead of producing someone else’s event, I’m creating a place where everyone gets to be the creator.
And I think that’s the best part of all.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part it has been a smooth road. The most challenging part is living in a area of the country where finding an affordable place to rent to have a physical space
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
SewHampton is a creative sewing studio built around the idea that everyone can make something. What began in 2013 as a summer sewing and fashion-design program for children has grown into a business serving people from ages 5 to 85, offering sewing instruction, clothing alterations and repairs, home décor projects, and creative workshops.
What sets SewHampton apart is the combination of professional event production experience, sewing expertise, and a genuine love of teaching. I spent many years as a Live Event Producer, so creating experiences, managing details, and bringing creative ideas to life has always been a big part of who I am. I bring that same energy to SewHampton.
We offer private and group sewing lessons for all skill levels, from someone who has never sat at a sewing machine to experienced sewers looking to improve their skills or tackle a challenging project. We also help clients with alterations and repairs, and I especially enjoy figuring out creative solutions to pieces that might otherwise be discarded.
SewHampton is also about sustainability and rethinking the way we view our clothing and belongings. Repairing a favorite garment, repurposing fabric, or transforming something that is no longer being used can give it an entirely new life. I love being able to help people keep things they love out of the landfill while also teaching them skills they can use for years to come.
One of the things I am most proud of about the SewHampton brand is that it has developed organically. I originally envisioned a business focused primarily on teaching children to sew, but it has evolved into a much broader creative community. I’ve taught young children, teenagers, adults, and seniors, and I’ve seen firsthand that the excitement of making something yourself never goes away.
Our recent pop-up studio in the Village of East Hampton was an important milestone for the brand. Having a physical space allowed SewHampton to become more than a place to take a class—it became a place where people could come for help, learn something new, work on a project, and connect with others. During the six months the studio was open, our client base grew tenfold and we were able to significantly expand our services.
Ultimately, I want people to know that SewHampton isn’t just about sewing. It’s about creativity, confidence, craftsmanship, sustainability, and community. It’s about giving people the skills and encouragement to make something with their own hands—and experiencing that wonderful moment when they step back and say, “I made this.”
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to observe, listen, and connect with people—and never be afraid to learn something new.
When I started SewHampton, I had an idea of what I thought the business would be. But as I paid attention to the people around me and listened to what they were looking for, I realized that the possibilities were much bigger than I had originally imagined.
I’ve learned to be curious and to continually expand my comfort zone. Sometimes the best opportunities come from saying yes to something that is unfamiliar or a little intimidating. Teaching sewing, developing new services, working with different generations, opening a physical studio—each of those experiences pushed me beyond what I initially thought I could or should do.
I’ve also learned that connecting with people is at the heart of any successful business. When you take the time to listen and understand what people need, you build relationships rather than simply customers.
SewHampton has grown because I’ve been willing to pay attention, stay open, and evolve. I don’t always know exactly where the next opportunity will come from, but I’ve learned to recognize it when it appears—and have the confidence to follow it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SewHampton.com
- Instagram: @SewHampton
- Facebook: SewHampton
