FAQ
I want to learn to sew, where do I start?
The best way to go is by taking our Sewing I Course I designed for those who have little to nothing sewing experience. This is the perfect introduction to sewing.
Do I need to bring my own machine?
No, we provide all machines and tools that you’ll need for the classes.
I don't have a machine can I still come to class?
Absolutely, our classrooms are equipped with sewing machines, sergers and all necessary tools. Besides that, every Friday we run a FREE SEWING DROP IN, in one of our classrooms, so you can borrow a machine to work on your projects!
I want to buy a gift card for someone. Do you offer them?
We do have gift cards! You can buy them here, and can be used to pay recycling fabric or notions at our Fabric Boutique or towards all of our courses and workshops.
Haven’t we answered your question?
Please email us or give us a call, we’ll be happy to clarify any question you may have!
Do you rent sewing machines?
No, all our students and Free Sewing Drop-in community members, can borrow a sewing machine or serger machine to work on your projects while you are at any of our EE classrooms.
Who is teaching the course?
Our public courses are taught by qualified instructors who have studied and worked in the field that they are teaching. Our instructors have a combined 80 years of experience in their fields!
What courses will you be teaching this year?
We offer lots of courses and workshops throughout the year. Check out here the courses that are currently open.
Where do the classes are taking place?
All our courses and workshops are held in our premises unless stated otherwise.
We have two classrooms:
1. Janome Classroom : Located on the main floor of Heartwood House, located at 404 McArthur Avenue.
2. The Hub Classroom : Located in the strip-mall, next to the main building.
How do I register to the courses or workshops?
The best way to go is online. Our site takes major credit cards and Paypal. This can be done here. You can also register in person, drop in any day during office hours, and we’ll be happy to help you with your registration. We do accept credit and debit cards and cash.
If you are taking this course through a sponsor, please call us or come by to our office, so we can help you with the process.
Do you offer discounts?
EcoEquitable’s mission is to support our community while creating a sewing hub in
Ottawa. We take pride in offering services to serious sewers who would otherwise not be able to afford our courses.
For that reason, we offer a 50% off to our current Sewing for Jobs program students and a 15% off to community members who are experiencing difficulties.
Please contact our office at info@ecoequitable.ca to discuss your situation and we will
find a win-win solution.
Where can I buy extra materials (ie. rulers, etc)?
At our “Fabric and Notions boutique”, you could find an expense variety of fabric and notions, some second hand sewing and pattern making tools, and even some times we carry second hand sewing machines. But if you are looking for something specific, there are many great sources in Ottawa for these items including: C&M Textile, Fabrications, and the Giroux Sewing Center (Cornwall).
I need to cancel – do I get my money back?
That’s too bad! We have a refund/cancellation policy listed here. We try to be as fair as possible while running full courses.
Why does EE offer public workshops?
People keep asking for them! EcoEquitable is a hub of sewing knowledge. We have many excellent volunteers in our boutique, alumni from our courses, seamstresses in our production workshop and many of them want to offer courses and also keep up their own learning.
What’s the difference between your Sewing for Jobs Program (SFJ) and your public courses?
Our Sewing for Jobs program are specifically designed to provide customized support for those participants having experienced barriers to joining the workforce, and who would like to find employment in the textile or fashion industry.
Our public courses are aimed to those members of the public who sew recreationally and are looking to upgrade their skills.
How many students are in each class?
This is based on the class type. Our absolute maximum is 10 students. For some classes, we will cap the class at 5 students or 8, depending on how much space is needed and if the course requires a lot of intensive instructor support.
Where can I buy fabric?
Here! You can buy recycled fabrics at EcoEquitable from our Boutique. We have a wide variety of fabrics available for $4/meter.
Every year, we recycled over 5,000 lbs of fabric so we definitely have a great flow-through! Two times per year, we have a Fill-A-Bag Fabric Sale in which shoppers can fill a standard size grocery bag for $20! (we’ll provide you with the bags)
Check out our upcoming events page to see when our next sale is scheduled to happen. Make sure to follow us on Facebook too.
What are the benefits of being part of the EE community?
EcoEquitable is a social enterprise, but more than that, we are a community! EcoEquitable is a hub for sewing and for social justice! We love to stay in touch with alumni through a variety of means: join our newsletter, follow us on Social Media or just drop by to say hello!
I want to get in touch with my current/former teacher. How do I do that?
Contact info@ecoequitable.ca with the name of your teacher and the course that you took. We will do our best to connect you by email or phone.
Have a question that we didn't answer?
Please email us or give us a call at (613) 562-1739, we’ll be happy to clarify any question you may have!
