Luiza M.

Sewing, Fashion Design, and Pattern Making

New York City

• I am a fourth generation maker, and my great grandmother's 1917 sewing machine is still in my family.
• I run my own fashion brand called Lauie.G, where I design and make my own collections.
• I used to make costumes for the theater, so I love a project with a little drama.

Hi, I am Luiza Gandra, a fashion designer and the founder of Lauie.G. I hold a bachelor's degree in theater design, and I am finishing a fashion design certificate at Parsons. I have been teaching sewing as a freelancer since April 2025. Sewing is my specialty, and my classes cover more than just garments, like pouches, tote bags, and other projects, as well as garment construction and pattern drafting. I am a fourth generation maker. I like to say I did not inherit one single skill from one single person. What I inherited was a pattern: generations of women who made things with their hands. That love of making is at the heart of how I teach. My teaching philosophy is simple: every student learns by doing, at their own pace. I demonstrate one step at a time, so no one feels lost or rushed, and I keep my classes warm, patient, and practical. Students build real skills, from first stitches to finished pieces, and they leave each class with something they made themselves. What makes my approach unique is that I treat sewing as both a creative outlet and a life skill. Students do not just follow instructions, they come to understand how a garment comes together, how to fix mistakes without fear, and how to trust their own ideas. That mix of structure and freedom helps even shy or first time makers feel proud of what they create. For parents, what matters most to me is that your child feels safe, encouraged, and excited to learn. I celebrate progress over perfection, and I love watching a student light up when something they made with their own hands finally comes together.