Introduction to the Sewing Machine (One 5 hour workshop)

This class introduces beginners to the basics of sewing:

  • threading & using the sewing machine
  • sewing straight lines, wavy lines, circles & corners
  • decorative stitches
  • cutting & marking fabric
  • pressing & using sewing tools

You will make a basic grocery bag during the class.  Materials are included in the class fee.

Dates:  Saturdays:  4 Feb (FULL), 18 Feb, 3 Mar, 17 Mar, 31 Mar, 14 Apr, 28 Apr, 12 May

Wed 1 Feb, 14 Mar 

Time:   10-3pm

Cost:    £55 including materials

Skirt Workshop (One day workshop)

This course is intended as a follow-on from the Introduction to the Sewing Machine.  Also perfect for those that can sew a little, but are hesitant about starting to make their own clothes.

We have a choice of an a-line or flared skirt. You give us your hips and waist measurement, buy some fabric and a zip and we will make sure we have the pattern in your size ready for you to use.

Dates: Sun 19 Feb, 18 Mar, 15 Apr

Time: 10am-4:30pm

Cost: £70

Wardrobe Cloning

Bring in that much loved item and we will show you how to make a pattern to make half a dozen more!

• Tracing pieces from the garment
 • Straightening up and adding seam allowances
 • Grainlines
 • Guidelines on how to put the pieces together
 • Some ideas for adapting and improving your pattern

As you will only make the pattern in the workshop, you will need some dressmaking experience to be able to assemble your garment afterwards.

Date: Sat 25 Feb, 24 Mar, 21 Apr 2-5pm

Cost: £35

Take it up, take it in, Mend it

In this session you will learn how to take up a hem, and do several other basic alterations. We hope to cover:

  • Taking up hems on skirts & trousers: different hem types for different fabrics
  • Taking in seams/adding shaping to a loose garment
  • Mending holes in pockets
  • Replacing broken zips on unlined garments

and you will be able to complete at least one alteration on a garment of your own.

Dates:  4 Feb, 3 Mar, 31 Mar, 28 Apr

Time:  3:30-6:30pm

Cost: £35

Cushion Workshop

Make fabulous cushions - one fancy one or a couple of more simple ones, with or without zips, it's up to you.

Bring your own fabric & zips.

Dates: Sat 18 Feb, 17 Mar, 14 Apr

Time:  3:30-6:30pm

Cost: £35 excluding cost of materials

Introduction to the Overlocker

Have you bought or are thinking of buying an overlocker? This course is designed to help you get the best from your machine.

  • identifying the parts and functions of the overlocker
  • how to thread and change threads the easy way
  • checking the tension
  • using  3 or 4 threads
  • overlocking corners and curves
  • securing thread ends
and much more.

Level:  You must be comfortable using a sewing machine

Dates: Thursday 23 Feb (6:30-9:00pm), Saturday 24 Mar (10am-12:30pm)

Cost: £35


Simple Curtains

The aim of this day is to get you making your first pair of curtains!

You need to have some experience of using a sewing machine to attend this course.  Everyone works at different paces and we cannot guarantee that you will finish your curtains in the day, but you will certainly have done the most difficult bits and should be able to finish them easily on your own.

We will be making full-sized lined, single width curtains with header tape.  You will need to bring your own fabric, lining  and header tape.

We will cover: 

•    Calculating the fabric cutting sizes
•    Attaching the lining
•    Sewing on the header tape

•    Turning up and finishing the hems

Date: Sunday 26 Feb

Time: 10am-4:30pm

Cost: £70

 

Introduction to Bag Design & Making
 

This 2 day course is designed to introduce you to basic bag making techniques, which you can use to design and make your own unique fabric handbag.
The first session will be an introduction to bag making supplies and fabrics, sewing samples of pockets, zips, handles etc. and designing your bag.  In the second session you will make up your bag. There may be some homework between sessions.
Please bring some images/sketches of bag designs that you like.

Level: This is not a beginner workshop.  You must be comfortable using a sewing machine, be able to sew accurately and have made at least one item previously.

Dates:  Sun 4 & Sun 11 Mar

Wed 21 Mar and Wed 28 Mar 

Time: 10am-4:30pm

Cost: £140 including practise materials but excluding fabric & materials for your bag.