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Shanti Valme is realizing a years-long dream in The Altered Thread, a sewing school for Brooklynites.<\/p>\n
Photos courtesy of The Altered Thread and Google Maps<\/p>\n
Inside a historic landmarked home on the corner of Ocean and Newkirk avenues, a long-held dream is finally taking shape. This month, The Altered Thread<\/a> \u2014 a sewing school and alterations studio founded by Flatbush<\/a> resident and designer Shanti Valme \u2014 will officially open its doors, offering hands-on classes for adults and children while creating opportunities for women in the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea for The Altered Thread came from a dream,\u201d Valme told Brooklyn Paper. \u201cSewing has always been more than a skill for me. It\u2019s been a way to create, to support myself and to help others feel confident and empowered.\u201d<\/p>\n With more than 15 years of experience as a seamstress and tailor, Valme said she has long envisioned opening her own alterations shop. Over time, that vision grew into something larger. As Valme advanced in her career and became a mother, she noticed how many talented women were staying home to raise children while quietly setting aside their own ambitions.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that they lack ability,\u201d she explained. \u201cThey lack opportunity and flexibility.\u201d Encouragement from neighbors helped transform the idea into reality. One conversation with a widow in the neighborhood sparked the concept of creating a shared sewing space that could serve the broader Flatbush community. From there, The Altered Thread evolved into a studio where women could learn practical, income-generating skills on their own schedules.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Altered Thread is not just a tailoring studio,\u201d Valme said. \u201cIt\u2019s a place where women can feel themselves, build confidence and turn their passion into possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n The studio and school are located at 1010 Ocean Ave. The studio occupies the finished basement of Valme\u2019s family home \u2014 a well-known landmark in Ditmas Park. The historic property also houses other family-run businesses, including a medical practice operated by Valme\u2019s father-in-law.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPeople definitely know this house,\u201d Valme said. \u201cA lot of people want to come here just to see it. When they see the school, they\u2019re going to be super excited.\u201d<\/p>\n The school will celebrate its opening with a launch event on Jan. 10 from 4-7 p.m., with classes beginning later in the month. Most six-week sessions will start on Jan. 30, following a short setup period after the opening day.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Altered Thread will offer six sewing courses taught by Valme and select instructors, including Bengali-speaking teachers for traditional garment classes. Courses include Sewing 101, Kid and Teenage Sewing Classes, Mastering Garment Fitting and Alterations, Ladies Tailoring Skirts, Evening and Bridal Dress and Traditional Bangla Blouse and Skirts.<\/p>\n Valme will personally lead advanced instruction in bridal, wedding gown and evening wear design, while partner instructors support additional offerings to reflect the neighborhood\u2019s diverse cultural makeup.\u00a0<\/p>\n Teaching children to sew is also a central part of the school\u2019s mission, inspired by Valme\u2019s own seven-year-old daughter.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cI just want kids to be engaged with creativity,\u201d she said. \u201cNot just games or TV.\u201d Originally from Bangladesh, Valme and her husband Gerald, who is from Haiti, said the studio reflects the cultural blend of the surrounding neighborhood.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEverything is greatly mixed here \u2014 the Haitian and Bengali community,\u201d she said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Weekend children\u2019s classes will allow parents to drop off their kids for a few hours to learn hands-on skills like basic stitching, simple garment construction and creative design.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Valme, a Bengali immigrant, hopes the school will give women practical, income-generating skills on their own schedules.Photo courtesy of The Altered Thread\n<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Image-1-5-26-at-9.17-AM.jpeg\")
The Altered Thread is located at 1010 Ocean Ave., a landmark building in the borough.Photo courtesy of Google Maps<\/p>\n
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The Altered Thread will celebrate a grand opening on Jan. 10, but is currently open for alterations.Photo courtesy of The Altered Thread\n<\/p>\n