Sew Co. is set up by Riona Ward and delivers Sewing workshops for teens and Adults, as well as sewing camps for kids and Pattern Drafting Workshops.

 

Riona is a graduate of the Grafton Academy and has worked freelance doing one-off garments for individual clients.  She also has done freelance pattern drafting and garment sample making for designers around Dublin including Alison Coneelly and John Rocha.  She started teaching on the well-renowned Fashion Design course in Sallynoggin in 2004. 

 

Having a passion for tailoring, couture sewing and the craft of Fashion Design she teaches with an emphasis on quality of technique and finish.  Her specialised subject areas are pattern drafting and garment construction. Many of her students when finished at Sallynoggin go on to work as designers themselves, others pursue further education at third level often skipping into the 2nd year of Fashion Design Programmes. She is also co-producer of the annual Graduate Fashion Show/Exhibition at Sallynoggin.  

 

Riona has confidence and experience in teaching all ages and types of learners.  Over the past 13 years along with teaching in Sallynoggin Riona has also taught in private schools, colleges and community education programmes and has experience teaching ages ranging from 9 to 80+ years old.  She has regularly assisted learners with special needs. Many of her former learners return regularly to Sew Co. courses taking on more advanced projects each time. 

 

She has the patience and know-how to bring anyone through the basics on a sewing machine or with pattern drafting.  Riona sets up her classes with the understanding that each individual has different learning needs but that all need support and encouragement.  In her classes there is an emphasis on enjoyment of the craft at the individuals own pace.

 

Sewing is a skill for life that Riona is passionate about sharing with everyone, including young people.  Many people have a desire to sew and as it is usually not taught in schools these days, Ireland is losing the skill quickly.  Riona is determined to turn this around!