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 sewing school and alterations studio founded by Flatbush resident and designer Shanti Valme — will officially open its doors, offering hands-on classes for adults and children while creating opportunities for women in the community.
“The idea for The Altered Thread came from a dream,” Valme told Brooklyn Paper. “Sewing has always been more than a skill for me. It’s been a way to create, to support myself and to help others feel confident and empowered.”
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.
“It’s not that they lack ability,” she explained. “They lack opportunity and flexibility.”
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.
“The Altered Thread is not just a tailoring studio,” Valme said. “It’s a place where women can feel themselves, build confidence and turn their passion into possibility.”
The studio and school are located at 1010 Ocean Ave. The studio occupies the finished basement of Valme’s family home — a well-known landmark in Ditmas Park. The historic property also houses other family-run businesses, including a medical practice operated by Valme’s father-in-law.
“People definitely know this house,” Valme said. “A lot of people want to come here just to see it. When they see the school, they’re going to be super excited.”
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.
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.
Valme will personally lead advanced instruction in bridal, wedding gown and evening wear design, while partner instructors support additional offerings to reflect the neighborhood’s diverse cultural makeup.
Teaching children to sew is also a central part of the school’s mission, inspired by Valme’s own seven-year-old daughter.
“I just want kids to be engaged with creativity,” she said. “Not just games or TV.”
Originally from Bangladesh, Valme and her husband Gerald, who is from Haiti, said the studio reflects the cultural blend of the surrounding neighborhood.
“Everything is greatly mixed here — the Haitian and Bengali community,” she said.
Weekend children’s 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.
In addition to classes, The Altered Thread is currently accepting alteration appointments by request through its website and offers house calls throughout all five boroughs. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with Friday appointments available by request.
For Valme, the opening represents the fulfillment of years of perseverance.
“That dream came five years ago,” she said. “Back and forth with family, kids — I would always drop myself. I didn’t know how or when it would happen, but I held onto it. I worked very hard. I prayed and I kept believing. And today, I’m standing inside that dream.”
