About
At Sew Crafty, we are passionate about using creativity to empower women and girls. The satisfaction of creating and expressing with one’s hands is priceless, and a world of materials awaits to be converted from one form to another. Learning the joy of tactile expression is particularly important to balance the increased time spent in today’s virtual world. FEEL the fabric, STRING the beads, BEND the wire, MOLD the clay.
Our objective at Sew Crafty is to present these creative possibilities in a fun and easy manner. We provide a variety of opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy sewing and crafting. Visit our Adult Workshops and Girls Programs pages for more information, or contact us to learn about customized lessons. We also love working with local artisans to offer unique workshops, so stay connected to get all the latest news!
Sew Crafty first opened in 2004 in the small commercial space in the back of 104 W Parrish Street. Toni Mason used the space primarily for teaching private sewing lessons and as her own sewing studio. In the summer of 2010, Sew Crafty expanded to the larger commercial area at the front of the building in order to provide a broader offering of programs.
There’s always something happening at Sew Crafty. Come check us out, and meet our lovable dog, Rosie.
Toni Mason – Owner
Toni Mason holds a degree in Interior Design from Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. She owned a commercial interior design firm for 14 years, specializing in corporate interiors for clients including GTE, Carolina Power & Light, Duke University Medical Center, Global Software, GlaxoSmithKline, and NIEHS.
Toni had always planned to retire from her commercial design career by the age of 50 in order to help care for the grandchildren she was sure would soon arrive, and to spend more time crafting and working with children. Beginning in 2002, she ran the Extended Day Program at Durham Academy Middle School, which gave her the flexibility to be with her family and reach a wider group of kids. She later opened Sew Crafty in 2004 primarily to teach private sewing lessons, but the opportunities for expansion continued to appear.
Now that her grandchildren are older, her next endeavor is to take Sew Crafty to the “next level”. New program offerings include the Crafty Summer Day Camp, the Deluxe After School Program for Girls, and several crafting workshops for adults.
“Nothing can compare with the feeling I get from seeing a young girl glow with pride when she shows her parents what she just made at her sewing lesson. I feel like I am empowering them, which in turn, empowers me!” -Toni