The Sew Chateau Closes Its Doors

By MAGNOLIA LAFLEUR | Reporter

The Sew Chateau—which opened in 2018 as the only sewing studio for adults and kids to enjoy, refine and learn the craft of sewing—is closing its Pacific Palisades doors.

Owner Shane LaLonde, who has provided hundreds of lessons to Palisadian children and adults alike, reminisced on her time in the studio.

“I felt a tremendous amount of love and support from our community during the past five years of hosting classes and events,” LaLonde said to the Palisadian-Post. “When we announced the closing of the location I said to all our sewing friends in our announcement that they had been my tribe for the last five years … They have been the best.”

LaLonde hosted a closing event for her customers to say goodbye on Saturday, January 8, offering the opportunity to reminisce on past camps and birthday parties, and walk through the colorful retail store one last time.

A mother of a young Palisadian, who had been a student at Sew Chateau since it opened, shared that her daughter learned how to make her own clothes.

“She doesn’t even have to follow a pattern, she’s creative and confident about it. It was a very special place for her, she felt at home here. She felt creative and free here. All the classmates from her class would come together here,” her mother said at the event.

The student’s mother said she uses her Sew Chateau skills to make her own stuffed animals, and even made Christmas gifts last year, including scarves, crochet slippers and pouches.

An adult-level student said she will miss the community-feel and being there with other women. She also loved that her 11-year-old daughter had a wholesome and fun place to learn how to sew.

“It was great having this kind of service to our children. We came with Girl Scouts, we came with our friend groups, we’ve done parties here,” she said. “I feel like the service to this community, it will be very much missed because it’s a skill that’s forgotten.”

LaLonde credits her father, a woodworker, and her mother for being “crafty” and inspiring her creatively as a child. But the real passion for sewing and construction came after a seven-year tenure on “The Price is Right,” where she was fitted for costumes every day and had the idea to explore a new career path.

She began hosting two kids at a time in a rented office space in the Palisades for a “sewing playdate.”

The Sew Chateau officially opened its retail space on May 4, 2018, located at 833 Via de la Paz.

Years later, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a desire to spend more time with her family, LaLonde said she will be closing the doors of her physical location, but not the business itself, and is still ruminating over possible pop-up and private events.

“It was such a light and bright location, it was a lot of fun. I really got to see some of the kids grow up and stretch their minds,” LaLonde said. “To see them evolve and grow into more confident people is really neat to witness. I’m grateful to everyone who participated.”

LaLonde said when she first started the business, she jumped right in by renting a space in the Palisades. What began as baby steps for LaLonde eventually turned into an intimate, safe haven that connected individuals to each other and the craft of sewing.

LaLonde said she is grateful to live and work in the Palisades.

“You plant a seed. Even if you don’t know how to start, eventually the seed will bloom into something great. This evolved with the community and the kids,” LaLonde said. “Pacific Palisades families and children are truly so special. The Sew Chateau gave me the opportunity to get to know so many families, and there is without a doubt something very special about Pacific Palisades.

“After the announcement went out, I received many heart felt messages … If The Sew Chateau opens back up in summer of 2023 I would like to continue the tradition of former students working in the shop. It would be amazing if they can help make it a success for the next generation of designers and sewists in the future,” LaLonde said.