613-501-3781613-413-9713 Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A woman in a kente mermaid gown and a man in a beige outfit with a kente bib dancing and laughing at a ceremony

Your sewing workshop in Vanier

Learn to sew.Celebrate our cultures.

ACIFO offers pattern-cutting and sewing training focused on African cultural and traditional clothing, and supports people who want to turn it into a career.

Support ACIFO

Community organizations, funders and businesses: help us train Ottawa's French-speaking community.

Become a partner

Our services

Our members' craftsmanship

Garments sewn for special occasions, from kente to beaded finishes.

Mermaid gown in orange, blue and gold kente, with a beaded orange bodice
Look 1Mermaid gown, beaded bodice
Men's beige outfit with gold buttons and an orange, blue and gold kente bib
Look 2Outfit with kente bib
Black suit with braid trim and leopard-print panels, worn in front of Parliament Hill
Look 3Suit, leopard braid trim

Every garment tells a story

This gallery features creations by ACIFO members, with the name of the person who sewed each piece when they agree to be named.

Learn to sew
With the support of
  • Fondation Trillium de l'Ontario
  • Centre des services communautaires Vanier