About Us

 

About Little Stitch Academy

At Little Stitch Academy, we believe sewing is more than just a skill, it’s a way to spark creativity, build confidence, and encourage sustainable thinking. Our mission is to empower children with lifelong sewing skills, teaching them not only how to create, but also how to mend and upcycle.

By introducing these skills early, we aim to raise awareness about the impact of fast fashion and inspire kids to make more mindful choices about the clothes they wear and the way they consume. When children understand how garments are made and cared for, they’re better equipped to make thoughtful decisions as they grow.

As a mobile sewing workshop, we bring engaging, hands-on experiences directly to children, whether through in-school programs, childcare centre visits, library workshops, or weekly after school sewing machine classes. We make learning to sew fun, accessible, and meaningful, one stitch at a time.

 

THE TEACHER

 

Laurie Stefanizzi is a French-Australian mum of three young children based in Darebin. Her love for sewing and fashion started early, she received her first sewing machine at just 10 years old!

After becoming a mother, Laurie pursued her passion further by studying fashion design at the Australian Academy of Fashion Design, later becoming an independent pattern maker. Through her journey of raising neurodiverse children, she witnessed firsthand the incredible benefits that sewing and stitching can offer, helping with focus, creativity, and confidence.

With a deep awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry, Laurie is passionate about empowering the next generation with essential sewing skills. She believes that if children learn to sew, mend, and upcycle their clothes, they can make a real difference in reducing textile waste and promoting sustainability.

At Little Stitch Academy, Laurie combines her expertise, passion for teaching, and commitment to sustainability to inspire young minds through sewing and creativity.