International fabric company offers sewing lessons to locals
It provides materials wholesale to hotels and professional designers of high-end residences. Now, it’s going to help residents make their own dream furnishings.
Prismatek, a fabric manufacturer that moved to Cape Coral from Fort Myers last October, has opened a sewing school at the back end of their building on 4808 Cape Coral St. downtown, sandwiching its offices between Raso Realty.
The goal is to start up some sewing classes and workshops for people to learn the art of creating pillows, quilts, and maybe even clothing, using its own fabrics.
Basic sewing classes will be held every Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m. for only $25.
Anke Kondek, owner of Prismatek, said she saw all these businesses offering programs and thought it would be a good idea to join the crowd.
“A lot of people want to do more creative things. That’s why we wanted to offer sewing classes and workshops so people can learn to sew and make their own pillows, drapes or bags,” Kondek said.
The back room is loaded with discontinued fabrics brought in from Europe. Many of them are now affordable, whereas they were top-end they first came out five to 10 years ago.
“When they were in line they were $100 to $200 per yard. We’re doing this like an outlet now at discounted prices and we’ll see how it goes,” said employee Sandy Morris. “This way you’re not going to JoAnn’s and making something everyone else has.”
The classes will be run by Heather Clough, Prismatek’s production manager, who has sewed professionally for 14 years and can give people who come in designer’s advice without paying for a designer.
For now, the schedule is fluid. People who want to come in and learn to sew or make something can come in, provided someone is available to teach them.
“Right now, people are wanting a private lesson on how to operate their machine, so it’s been on a one-on-one basis,” Klough said. “We’re trying to find out what’s flexible for people instead of saying we’re only going to do it on Friday.”
Workshops will begin the first week of May on Saturdays, with the topics displayed on the company website www.prismateksews.wix.com/prismateksews.
Upcoming classes include a beach theme on May 8 where for only $15 do-it-yourselfers can bring their own sunglasses and flip-flops and decorate them so that they are beach ready.
On May 22 people will be able to breathe new life into old T-shirts by customizing them, also for $15.
Prismatek, family owned by Dieter and Anke Konvek, is an exclusive distributor that offers a full line of European fabrics and lighting through a network of sales reps and showrooms to the hospitality and high-end residential market in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.