This business will keep your kids in stitches — and power tools
A new sewing school in Kennewick is teaching its young students basic techniques and equipping them to create their own clothes and more.
Jessica’s Sewing School, owned by Jessica Beck, began as a home-based business during the COVID-19 pandemic and graduated earlier this year to a cozy studio just feet from West Clearwater Avenue.
Beck said the small school outgrew her home.
The new studio accommodates rising interest in sewing and was born in part because the bankruptcy of JoAnn Fabrics and subsequent closure of its store at Columbia Center mall cut off an avenue for school supplies.
Beck worked at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory until the birth of her son, who was premature, and is thriving. Overnight, she became a stay-at-home mom.
When her second child was born, she stayed home and began schooling them at home.
Sourdough and doll clothes
In 2020, when the pandemic prompted stay home orders, Beck and her husband turned to new hobbies. He took up sourdough. She sewed doll clothes.
Her daughter, now 10, loved the tiny clothes and begged her mom to teach her how to sew.
The result was a small school catering to families in their homeschooling circle of friends.
Her students are mostly girls, though she’s organized sessions for adults from a neighboring business and even created a course catering to boys this summer. That class emphasizes, among other topics, that sewing machines are in fact power tools.
Uniquely for the Tri-Cities, Jessica’s Sewing School is focused on education, not selling sewing machines.
She supplies mid-range machines for her students — a step up from the $100 versions sold at big box retail stores, but not overly complicated either.
She began small, limiting classes to five students who met three times a week. The sewing school is more than a hobby. It is a source of income.
JoAnn Fabrics closes
The move to a brick-and-mortar location was driven by growth and the need to make more space for sewing materials.
Beck said she initially provided students with a supply list. It proved chaotic, so she considered furnishing the supplies along with the lessons.
Last spring, when JoAnn stores closed, she realized furnishing all the supplies students need meant she’d have to open a small store in their home.
That wasn’t an option so she began considering leasing space.
Her spot at 3030 W. Clearwater Ave., near Highway 395, proved the perfect fit. The owner supports her mission. The location is easy to get to.
And despite its “office building” vibe, her studio faces a secret courtyard sunken out of view from passing traffic. It’s the perfect gathering spot for young families as they wait for classes to start or end.
Workshops and classes
All students begin with a two-hour introductory workshop, then graduate to regular sessions. Workshops are held every few weeks, with the next session for children set for Nov. 21.
The next children’s session begins Dec. 4.
Ongoing classes meet weekly for 75 minutes, and follow the Society Kids curriculum, which helps students develop and practice their skills. They start with basic pillows and graduate to more complicated projects, including aprons and customized T-shirts.
Go to jessicassewingschool.com or follow the school on Facebook.
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM.