Afterschool Programs
The Children's Institute of Fashion Arts is proud to partner with public and private schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx to bring cutting edge creative programming to NYC students!
Under the guidance of skilled and caring teachers, students from 1st-12th grade develop resilience, mastery, and self expression as complete hand sewing and sewing machine projects over the course of weekly after school sewing classes.
Kids take on the exciting challenge of applying math, engineering, and critical thinking while exercising a new creative skill!
Why learn to sew?
Why learn a “low-tech” skill like sewing in today’s times?
The connection between the hands and materials is important for authentic, connected living! Children need the slow sequential process of learning to make things with easy to find materials and low tech processes.
Not long ago, sewing was a widespread skill, as well as one that was considered domestic and gender-specific. Women were expected to sew as an integral part of caring for their families. Many of our students have grandparents who can sew, and taking sewing classes are the start to fostering deeper intergenerational connections!
With society progressing at an ever-rapid pace and the proliferation of screens, children today have fewer opportunities to hone their fine motor skills. More importantly, they may miss out on the satisfying process of perseverance, resilience, and creating something from scratch.
Kids & parents say:
Here's what our students are making!
Our Mission Makes The Difference!
CIFA creates tailored programs that best suit the needs and culture of your school & students.
Kids of all backgrounds and genders attend our classes & love sewing, whether their interests lie in fashion design, gaming, storytelling, or robotics!
Thanks to the support of our nonprofit partnerships, we are able to provide a fantastic array of fabric & other materials to our students, all while keeping costs low for schools & furthering our ethos of sustainability!
CIFA's school-based programs are convenient and accessible for families! Kids get the benefits of working at their own pace over the course of weekly classes, in the comfort of a familiar environment.
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Are CIFA afterschool programs available at my child's school?We currently partner with 5 schools across NYC to offer after school sewing classes. Interest from parents is a major driving factor for establishing programs in more schools! If you're interested in CIFA sewing classes at your child's school, please get in touch!
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What will my child learn in an after school sewing class?Each sewing class is tailored to suit the students age, interests, and school venue. Typically, younger students practice their dexterity through hand sewing skills, while using easy-to-work-with materials. As students progress, they learn and master the sewing machine, and begin to take on multi-step projects. Older & advanced students experiment with unique materials, and take on challenging projects like creating their own wearable garments. Throughout, students have the opportunity to practice their creativity, as well as try various fashion arts such crochet, leather work, or jewelry making.
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How much does it cost to have CIFA afterschool programs at my school?Afterschool programs typically incur a one-time for tools and equipment, and an ongoing hourly rate that covers instructor salary and program overhead. We minimize the cost of materials used by students through our nonprofit partnerships, and schools may opt to purchase supplemental materials. We work with the specific circumstances of each school! Our programs have been funded through tuition, grants, and a combination of both. Please contact us or email info@thecifa.org to discuss the specifics for your school.
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What ages of students can learn to sew?While most CIFA afterschool programs are attended by students 3rd-5th grade, kids of all ages can learn to sew! We host classes for students from Kindergarten - 12th grade, tailoring projects and teaching style to best suit the interests and skills of each age group.