Terms & Studio Etiquette

More than 14 days before class

Free changes, or your choice of a 90% refund or 100% as studio credit. No questions asked.

Studio credit

Credit is the full amount you paid, valid for 12 months on any class. You can use it to book for a friend, but it stays in your name — it can't be transferred or swapped back for cash.

Within 14 days of class

Bookings are final — no changes, refunds, or transfers.

No-shows

Non-refundable.

If Usefulbox cancels

You'll receive a full refund or transfer — your choice.

Gift cards

Non-refundable and not redeemable for cash. Once a booking is made using a gift card, standard cancellation terms apply.

Product refunds & exchanges

Faulty or damaged products receive a full refund or exchange. Change-of-mind returns on unused items are eligible for an exchange or store credit.

Respect & inclusivity

We're committed to a welcoming environment for everyone. Discrimination or harassment based on any protected characteristic won't be tolerated. Use inclusive language, respect individual choices and identities, and avoid stereotypes.

Safety & equipment

Follow all equipment safety guidelines. Report any unsafe or faulty equipment to the teacher immediately. Take care of shared studio resources and take responsibility for your own belongings and tools.

Drugs & alcohol

The studio uses sewing machines, irons, and cutting tools, so a clear head matters for your safety and everyone else's. Alcohol and illicit drugs are not permitted on the premises, and attending class under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not allowed. Anyone who appears intoxicated may be asked to leave the session, at the teacher's discretion, without refund, and may be banned from future bookings at Usefulbox.

Collaboration & feedback

We encourage sharing skills and helping each other. Keep feedback constructive and focused on the work, not the person. Always credit original designers, patterns, or inspiration when sharing work.

Attendance

Regular attendance strengthens the class community and helps us keep sessions running. If you need to be absent for an extended period, please let us know.

Conflict resolution

Address disagreements respectfully and directly where possible. If needed, involve the teacher to help mediate. We ask that all students treat each other with patience and good faith.

Unacceptable behaviour

Racist behaviour, offensive language, slurs, or derogatory comments of any kind are prohibited. Violations may result in a warning or removal from the studio.

Who is responsible

The person who makes the booking is responsible for everyone in their group while they are in the building. Every person coming must be named on the booking with their phone number and email address, and the booker must have their permission to share those details with us. We use them only for the booking and for safety, never for marketing.

Everyone agrees to these terms

After booking, we email each person in the group a link to agree to these terms. If you don't know everyone yet, you can add their details later from your dashboard. Everyone must be named and agree at least 24 hours before the booking starts. If anyone in the group has not by then, Usefulbox may cancel the booking without a refund.

Paid classes and businesses

If a paid class, workshop or business activity is running in our rooms, the booking must name who is teaching, and the teacher or business must hold their own public liability insurance and show it to us before the first session.

Arriving and leaving

Every venue hire booking includes a 10 minute grace period at each end: you can arrive up to 10 minutes before your start time to set up, and you have 10 minutes after your finish time to pack up and leave. Please don't arrive earlier or stay later than this — someone else may have the room booked straight after you.

Minimum booking

All rooms are hired for a minimum of 2 hours, then in half hour steps. Each person can make one booking per room per day — if you need more time, book one longer slot.

Sewing machines

Sewing machines can be added to Green Room and Main Studio bookings at $5 per machine per hour, one per person. Machines are shared with our classes, so we choose the model you get.

Weekly (term) bookings

Book the same room and time every week for 8 weeks or more and get 30% off the room price (not machines). Every week must be free to book. Before your first week, our standard cancellation terms above apply, counted from the first week. Once your first week has passed, a weekly booking cannot be refunded.

Cancelling a single booking

Our standard cancellation terms above apply, counted from the date of the booking.

Looking after the space

Please leave the room as you found it: furniture back in place, rubbish in the bins, equipment switched off. The booker is responsible for any damage caused by their group.

Marketing use

By attending a class or event, you agree to give Usefulbox Sewing School unrestricted publishing rights for any photographs or videos taken during that session, for use in marketing and promotional materials. If you'd prefer not to be photographed, please let your teacher know at the start of class.

Personal responsibility

Participants assume full responsibility for any damages, injuries, or loss of property that may occur during classes or events. Usefulbox takes reasonable care of the studio environment and equipment, but cannot be held liable for personal accidents or loss of belongings.