Experience SG Heritage: Make Your Own Samfu or Kebaya

The best part of this workshop is its practical link between Singaporean heritage and something you can wear: you make a samfu or kebaya top rather than simply hear about traditional clothing. I like the small group size, and I like that Peiyun prepares and finishes the fabric edges ahead of time so you can focus on sewing and learn without getting bogged down in cutting.

One thing to plan carefully is the fit. The pattern is designed for a relaxed shape, and some makers have found their finished top roomier than expected. Discuss your size with Peiyun before the session, and arrive ready to spend four hours at the sewing table.

What to Know Before You Book

1 / 8

2 / 8

3 / 8

4 / 8

5 / 8

6 / 8

7 / 8

8 / 8

1 / 8

• Choose your top: Book the four-hour Samfu Top Workshop or Kebaya Top Workshop.
• Fabric is prepared ahead: You’ll select a print by email or WhatsApp after booking, subject to availability.
• Beginners are welcome: The sewing pattern and machine are set up before class, and Peiyun gives step-by-step help.
• Expect a relaxed fit: Check the size chart and ask about sizing before your session.
• Small-group setting: Sessions are for one to four participants, with a minimum age of 12.
• Take home your work: The workshop includes the tools and equipment you need, plus the handmade top you sew.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Singapore

A Heritage Top Made at Your Own Pace

This is a hands-on way to spend a half-day in Singapore. Instead of watching a demonstration or buying a ready-made souvenir, you work on a samfu or kebaya top yourself, with help from Peiyun at Yuzu and Pear Studio. The garment is presented as a traditional style reimagined for modern life, so the end result is intended to be wearable, not just a keepsake for a shelf.

The workshop lasts four hours. That gives you time to get comfortable with the pattern, practise using the sewing machine, and assemble the prepared pieces with guidance. The atmosphere is relaxed and the group is capped at four, which matters if you’re new to sewing and want to ask questions without holding up a large class.

This is not a full garment-construction course. The fabric is cut and serged before you arrive, which removes some of the most technical and time-consuming work. You still learn how the pieces line up and take part in sewing the top, but you won’t be starting with a roll of fabric and drafting a pattern from scratch. That trade-off makes the workshop accessible to beginners while leaving room to focus on the actual garment.

Four Hours at Yuzu and Pear Studio

Your workshop takes place at Yuzu and Pear Studio, at 7B Binjai Park. The session is built around making one top, and the materials are prepared in advance to keep the work manageable within four hours. After you book, the studio contacts you by email or WhatsApp to confirm your preferred fabric print and sizing details.

That preparation is useful, but it also means you should respond promptly. Fabric prints are subject to availability, and the studio needs your size details to prepare the right materials. A size chart is provided. If you have a particular print or fit in mind, raise it before the workshop rather than assuming you can decide everything on arrival.

At the session, the pattern and sewing machine are set up for you. You’ll work through the garment pieces and learn how they join, with Peiyun showing you how to operate the machine and offering corrections when needed. The pre-cut, serged fabric lets you spend less time on setup and more time making the top.

You may also pick up smaller sewing skills along the way. Makers have learned hand sewing with slip stitches, marking seam lines with disappearing ink, and using a small pressing iron. These are useful details if you’d like to continue sewing at home. One participant also learned where to have A0 paper patterns printed, a practical tip if you want to make another top later.

The exact pace will depend on your experience and how much help you need. If you’ve not used a sewing machine in years, you can still take part. Peiyun is patient with first-timers and can step in to help with trickier sections. If you already sew, the workshop can still be worthwhile: you’ll get a structured project, a prepared pattern, and a chance to ask about the finishing choices that make a garment sit well.

Samfu or Kebaya: Which Workshop Fits You?

The two package choices are a four-hour Samfu Top Workshop and a four-hour Kebaya Top Workshop. Both are designed as beginner-friendly sessions, and both offer the same broad appeal: learn through making a traditional garment in a modern, wearable form.

Choose based on which style you’d most like to take home. The information provided does not describe specific design differences between the two patterns, so it’s sensible to ask the studio if you’re unsure which option suits your taste or wardrobe. The selected package matters because it determines the top you’ll make and the materials prepared for you.

This is also a nice activity for a pair or small group. You can book with a friend, partner, or family member and work alongside one another while still receiving individual guidance. The maximum group size is four, so even a group of friends stays small enough for a personal session. Solo participants are welcome too, and the workshop is not dependent on bringing a companion.

The minimum age is 12. That makes it an option for older children and teens who are interested in sewing, though the four-hour duration calls for patience and focus. If you’re booking for a young participant, consider whether they’ll enjoy sitting at a sewing project for much of a half-day.

Why the Preparation Helps, and Where It Limits You

Pre-cut and pre-serged material is one of the workshop’s clearest advantages. Cutting accurately and finishing raw edges can be intimidating if you’re new to sewing. Here, those jobs are handled before the session, so you can concentrate on the pattern, machine, and garment assembly.

The other side of that convenience is that you won’t practise every step of making a garment from raw fabric. If your main goal is to learn pattern drafting, fabric cutting, or the full construction process, this workshop may feel too guided. If you want a first sewing project with a good chance of producing a finished top in one session, the preparation makes much more sense.

The pattern is forgiving in its fit, but don’t treat that as a reason to skip the sizing discussion. A roomy blouse can be comfortable, yet it may not match the shape you had in mind. Follow the size chart closely, and tell Peiyun if you want advice before the fabric is cut. The materials are prepared ahead of time, so sorting fit questions early is the best route to a result you’ll be glad to wear.

A Calm Activity for Friends, Couples, or Solo Makers

The workshop is as much about spending time at a craft as it is about leaving with a top. Sewing asks you to slow down, pay attention, and work through one step at a time. That makes this a good contrast to a day spent moving between sights, shops, and transport connections.

For friends, the shared project gives you something to do while still leaving room to chat. Couples can make the session a creative date, while solo participants can focus on the process and ask questions as they go. The group limit of four helps keep the mood personal rather than classroom-like.

Yuzu and Pear is also a homely studio, with a resident mid-size cavapoo. The dog is kept away from the sewing area during the activity, according to the studio’s notice. If you have concerns about dogs, check with the operator before booking.

Is the Price Worth It?

The listed price is not pocket change for a half-day activity. The package options show a starting price of US$156.59, while the experience summary gives a starting price of $172.25. Since those figures differ, check the current price and currency at the time you book.

The value rests on more than four hours of instruction. The fee includes the workshop, an English- or Chinese-speaking guide, sewing tools and equipment, prepared fabric, and the top you make. You’re paying for a guided project with the materials ready, plus the chance to learn practical techniques in a small group. If you already own a sewing machine and are comfortable following a pattern, you may prefer to sew at home. If you want a welcoming first project without sourcing equipment or figuring out the pattern alone, the included setup is a meaningful part of the cost.

The activity is SG Culture Pass eligible. That may help eligible participants make the price work, though you should check the applicable Culture Pass terms before booking.

Getting There and Planning Your Session

The studio is at 7B Binjai Park, Singapore 589821. The nearest stated train access is King Albert Park MRT Station, Exit A. Plan your route in advance and arrive five minutes before the scheduled start. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, and the voucher is valid only for the date and time specified.

The listed opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:30. The workshop itself is four hours, so choose a start time that leaves you enough room for the full session. Other personal expenses are not included.

Bookings are non-refundable. Rescheduling, amendments, or refunds are subject to availability and approval, so confirm your schedule before you commit. After booking, watch for the studio’s email or WhatsApp message about fabric and sizing. If your confirmation does not arrive within minutes, contact customer support.

Who Should Book This Sewing Workshop?

I’d choose this workshop if I wanted a hands-on cultural activity and a useful object to take home, especially if I was curious about sewing but didn’t know where to start. The combination of prepared fabric, patient instruction, and a small group lowers the pressure for beginners. It’s also a good fit for friends or family who want a shared activity that feels different from a standard sightseeing stop.

Experienced sewists can enjoy it as a guided project, but should know that some of the prep work is already done. The workshop is less suited to someone hoping to learn every stage of garment making, from cutting fabric to drafting a pattern. And if fit matters a great deal to you, don’t leave sizing until the day.

Book if the idea of making a relaxed-fit samfu or kebaya appeals to you and you’re happy to spend four focused hours at the sewing table. Before paying, settle your fabric choice and sizing questions with Peiyun, then check the current price and session time. That small bit of preparation can make the difference between a pleasant craft session and a top that fits the way you hoped.

FAQ

How long does the workshop last?

The Samfu Top Workshop and Kebaya Top Workshop each last four hours.

Where does the workshop take place?

It takes place at Yuzu and Pear Studio, 7B Binjai Park, Singapore 589821.

How do I get to the studio by train?

The stated train access is King Albert Park MRT Station, Exit A.

Can a beginner join?

Yes. The workshop is beginner-friendly, and Peiyun provides step-by-step guidance. The sewing machine and pattern are set up before the session.

What do I make during the workshop?

You make either a samfu top or a kebaya top, depending on the package you book.

Do I need to bring sewing tools?

No. The necessary sewing tools and equipment are provided.

How do I choose my fabric and size?

After booking, the studio contacts you by email or WhatsApp to confirm your fabric print, subject to availability, and sizing details. A size chart is shared.

Is there a minimum age or group limit?

Participants must be at least 12 years old. The group size is one to four participants.

Can I cancel my booking for a refund?

No. Cancellations are not refundable. Rescheduling, amendments, or refunds are subject to approval and availability.