LAPLACE — Indigo Angel of LaPlace was 30 years old when her husband surprised her with a sewing machine as a birthday gift, not realizing it would propel her to discover one of her true talents.

Lessons and plenty of practice led her to design custom clothing, participate in fashion shows, open a boutique in Baton Rouge and give back to the next generation with sewing classes.

Indigo’s journey has now carried over to St. John the Baptist Parish with the recent opening of Sew Excited Sewing Academy at 944 Cambridge Drive, Suite D in LaPlace.

Adults and children ages 8 and up are invited to release their inner designer through individual and group classes that cater to all experience levels from beginner to advanced.

Indigo is especially excited to provide a fun and educational outlet for youth in the community. She looks forward to partnering with local businesses as sponsors to ensure every child has an opportunity to take classes regardless of family financial standing.

“At an early age, you ask a lot of kids what they want to do, and they don’t know. They’ve never had the opportunity to experience different things to see what they like and what they are good at,” Indigo said. “That’s why I’m very passionate about starting this up.”

Indigo said sewing is an exceptionally useful and versatile skill.

“If you just want to do your own personal types of sewing or alterations around the house, you can do that,” she said. “You can expand out, start to make things for others, and it can even lead into a full-blown career in fashion.”

Four-week sewing programs include two-hour sessions three days per week. The program covers lessons from beginner to expert level, and participants can choose what level to start at based on prior experience.

Beginner classes teach students how to thread and operate sewing machines. Students transition into learning how to read patterns and follow step-by-step instructions.

Straight stitching moves into more technical patterns as a student’s experience level grows, and they will soon be able to work with gathers, pleats and waistbands. In advanced lessons, students learn to add sleeves, connect three part designs and implement zippers.

One of Indigo’s former students from Baton Rouge is beginning her freshman year at Louisiana State University to study fashion design. Her designs were recently featured at Acadiana Fashion Week in Lafayette.

“I’ve worked with teenagers and kids as young as 8 or 9,” Indigo said. “It’s exciting for them to be able to construct something and wear it themselves. We are not just sewing pillows and pajamas. We are more fashion-forward. We keep up with the latest trends and work with flashy fabrics to keep their interest.”

Indigo also offers private sewing parties for ladies’ nights out with prior reservations.

Walk-ins are accepted to browse custom made apparel or request alterations. Having worked at David’s Bridal in alternations, Indigo specializes in sizing wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses for the perfect fit.

She plans to establish a bridal collection in Spring 2020. When it comes to formal events such as homecoming or prom, girls can also send her photos of dress styles they would like her to replicate.

Indigo describes her adult designs as clean and sophisticated, marked by a classy high-end look.

In addition to providing inspiration, education and skill training through sewing, Indigo also sells shoes, handbags and custom-made jewelry and earrings.

Her husband, Greg Davis, has been by her side every step of the way and has helped her renovate the new office space.

Davis said the office space, which already includes a fully equipped music production studio, will expand to include other youth-focused activities with time.

“By me working in construction, I’m able to teach painting and teach woodworking,” Davis said. “We will be around a long time. It’s going to be a big thing. I’m in the music industry. I can teach them art and piano lessons. There are all kinds of things we are going to do with these kids.”

Indigo said she and her husband plan to utilize all of their talents to impact the community as much as possible.

Business hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Online registration forms for sewing classes and private parties are available at www.sewsesa.com. For more information, please call 985-618-3412.