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About Us

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Hello! My name is Jolanta Cerniauskiene, a professional sewing teacher and founder of Online Sewing School.

With 30 years of experience working in fashion and further education, I have set up this online resource to make high-quality

technical sewing education accessible to as many people as I can. I believe that having the right skills can open endless creative

possibilities, which is why I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others.

The school offers a digital sewing library with online support for students of all levels, from beginners to advanced.

Whatever your specific needs or goals are, this resource is here to support you!

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My Story

Before we begin, let me share with you my own story, from sewing my first stitches as a child; through to my years

as head sample machinist in a top London fashion studio; to where I am now, as a Technical Tutor on the BA Fashion course

at a London University and founder of Online Sewing School.

 

Where it all began
My sewing journey began at age 7 at my godmother's studio where I spent many of my summer holidays.

I watched in awe as she made outfits tailored to the measurements of her clients. Seeing her transforming just a few metres of fabric

into beautiful, one-of-a-kind garments was fascinating. From then on, I was inspired. My godmother taught me how to use

a sewing machine, take accurate body measurements, create patterns, and sew. I was captivated by the hands-on experience and

continued to hone my skills by sewing my own clothing and pursuing further education at college.

 

Couture Techniques
Fast forward a few years, and I made the move to London, where I took up the role of head sample machinist for the iconic

fashion and textile designer, Dame Zandra Rhodes where I worked for 12 years. Working with Zandra and her team to sample

and produce couture collections was one of the most exciting periods of my career. I enjoyed the discipline of working with complex

prints and delicate fabrics using intricate couture techniques. Zandra's studio was a couture house in the purest sense, where we

developed new colours, prints, and shapes. All collections were designed, printed, cut, and sewn within the same building.

The collaborative process was amazing, as each department worked closely together. I feel fortunate to have met and worked closely

with many creative and fascinating people in the studio, such as textile designers, print technicians, pattern cutters, stylists,

and embroiderers. This experience has given me valuable knowledge and insight into couture techniques, which I look forward to sharing with all of you on this platform.

The Sample Studio

I established a sample making studio where I took on freelance projects for a range of designers, from major high-street brands to top couture designers, such as Eley Kishimoto, Erdem, Gallery58, Emma J Shipley, and Kitty Joseph, amongst others.

I enjoyed the challenge and technical problem-solving required to sew samples and find solutions for the most appropriate finishing, bearing in mind each client's suitability, style, and budget.

One of my most rewarding collaborations was with Kitty Joseph, as I supported her as a sample machinist and a technical consultant from her very first collection at the Royal College of Art right through to where she is today with an established brand 10 years later. 

From the outset, I worked with Kitty to adapt her designs, fabrics, and printing techniques to meet the needs of her customers. In her early collections, we experimented with a variety of fabrics such as neoprene, jersey, velvet, PVC, and quilted layers. As a sewing specialist, I found all those fabrics to be an exciting challenge. We always worked closely to ensure all the garments were finished to the highest standards. I love working with young brands like Kitty Joseph, and I'm very happy my experience and knowledge helped her get to where she is now. It's been great to be part of a brand's journey from the very beginning and see it grow over time. Helping new designers bring their ideas to life through fabrics and finishes is my passion, which is something I also bring into my teaching work, and is at the centre of what I do at Online Sewing School.

 

Teaching
With all these years of experience under my belt, I felt passionately that it was time for me to share my knowledge and skills with others.

This led me to pursue a career in further education and ultimately to my current role as Technical Tutor for the BA Fashion course at London Metropolitan University. I was privileged to be among the first staff members to be hired in the early years of the course. I was involved from the start in the collaborative process of writing the course and creating a structure and syllabus along with other tutors and course leaders.

I teach students at all levels about the technical aspects of fashion design, in particular garment cut, construction, and sewing. Over the years, I have helped many students to gain the necessary skills to pursue a successful career in fashion.

 

The Fashion and Textile Museum
Alongside my work at the University, I also teach Couture Techniques once a month in person at the Fashion and Textile Museum
in London. In this workshop, I share my knowledge of working with luxurious fabrics, like silk chiffon and satin, and demonstrate the couture techniques used on high-end fabrics.

A bit about me
I am originally from Lithuania but lived in London for over 20 years. I am a proud mum of two amazing sons and am delighted to call London my home. When I'm not working, I enjoy keeping fit, and my passion is calisthenics. I love to spend time with friends, and my ideal evening would be spent with them enjoying a glass of wine by the river.

 

I can't wait to share my knowledge with you and be a part of your journey. 

 

Let's get started!

Jolanta x