Even seasoned sewers will admit to not knowing how to sew with stretch fabrics – it has almost a mystical quality to it that makes people shy away from using it. How much stretch does the fabric have to have for the project I want to make? Is there different thicknesses and which thickness is best for the projects I want to make? Can I sew it on an ordinary sewing machine or do I need an overlocker?

If these questions are some of the ones that you have been asking yourself, then you’ll be happy to know that stretch fabrics are actually one of the easiest fabrics to sew with once you know the tricks of the trade. And that is where we step in with our How to Sew with Stretch Fabric workshop.

This two-part workshop INCLUDES stretch fabric for making your shirt in either white or black, an A4 stretch fabric guide that you can take with you to help purchase the right fabric after you leave the workshop and a pack of five Schmetz Ball Point needles for sewing stretch fabrics at home.

Maeri Howard will be your instructor and during this workshop, you will:

• learn the difference between stretch fabric and woven fabric
• learn about the different types of stretch fabrics and which garments they are best suited for
• explain the different types of fabrics using our A4 guide, making it easy to pick the right fabric for future projects
• discuss negative ease and understand how this affects the garment you are making
• learn how to set up a domestic sewing machine to sew stretch fabric effectively
• learn how to set up an overlocker as an alternative way to finish a stretch garment
• piece your t-shirt together, including setting in of sleeves

Skill Level:  As this is not a beginner’s workshop, you must already have some experience on a sewing machine (we have our excellent All You Need to Know to Sew beginners workshop or have attended our Dressmaking Isn’t Rocket Science workshop or a similar one).

Course Availability: Daytime, Evening 

Fee and what this includes:

**You do not need to bring any additional items as we provide everything.**

The cost is £78.00, which includes your fabric to make your shirt, a set of 5 Schmetz Ball Point needles, full documentation for sewing your t-shirt at home, an A4 sample sheet of stretch fabrics, all tools and equipment required to make your shirt (sewing machine is available at no extra charge), fresh coffee/tea and a homemade snack. 

Did you also know that we have Pinterest Board just for sewing with stretch fabric? We love Pinterest and actively update our boards  – why not follow the Studio so you don’t miss out?

FAQs

Learn the basics of crochet in our popular Loopy About Crochet workshop. Our Loopy About Crochet workshop shows how you can recreate that magic of crochet with a fresh, contemporary twist so that you can easily turn your hand to making your own collection of crocheted items. Today’s crocheting is much more subtle in its use of colour and fibers but with a nod to the simple beauty of the craft – you will be amazed at what you can make once you have the knowledge of how to work with your basic stitches.

We provide everything for your workshop experience and you take ALL of it home with you at the end of the session. We use StyleCraft Special DK 100% cotton yarn, in a variety of colours, to help you create your beautifully crocheted piece. And to make sure you get the attention you need to learn your new skill, our workshop numbers are limited to five people.

In this class, Sue Lacey will be your instructor, we will cover:

• Learn the basic crochet stitches
• Follow a basic crochet pattern
• Understand what tension is and how to adjust it
• Use basic finishing techniques
• Create a beautiful and functional mug shrug
• Supported with a helpful handout to help you continue to “hook at home”!
• You will have all your supplies waiting for you when you arrive and you can take ALL of it home with you (hook included!) as well as a 50g ball Stylecraft wool to ensure you can keep “hooking” at home.

Skill Level: Absolute Beginner and those needing a refresher

Course Availability: Daytimes & Evenings

Fee and what this includes: 43.00, this includes all items needed to make your crocheted item, the hook and a 50 gm ball of Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK  (a £4.95 value) all for you to take home to keep, as well as coffee/tea and a homemade snack.

Do you Pin? Our Pinterest board for those new to crochet is filled with inspirational projects that will make sure you have a project to aspire to once you leave our workshop. Why not check it out and follow our board?

If we told you that if you attended our beginner’s sewing workshop, All You Need to Know to Sew, you could learn to sew in one, half-day session, would you believe us? Did you get a new sewing machine but have yet to get it out of the box? Do you feel like you need a confidence booster to show you how to sew and you would like to know what happens with all the knobs and settings? Or do you just want to learn how to sew and need someone to help move you past the red L plate stage? This course is an excellent place to start and comes highly recommended so that you can gain confidence with no pressure.

Maeri Howard will be your instructor for this workshop, where you will:

• Learn all the major functions of one of our sewing machines or you can bring your own to learn to sew on
• What makes a good “starter” kit for sewing equipment, as well as what each item does
• Basic sewing machine maintenance – what to do when things go wrong & how to fix them
• Introduction to fabrics, marking, pinning & cutting
• An invaluable list of tricks & tips that help beginner sewers get ahead of the sewing curve
• Students will create a cushion cover that they can take home which includes a cushion insert
• Students take home a handy 16-page booklet that reflects the content of the workshop

Skill Level:  Absolute Beginner (anyone can learn – we promise!)

Course Availability: Daytime, Evening & Weekends

Fee and what this includes: £43.00, this includes all items needed to make your cushion cover including the insert (sewing machine is available at no extra charge), coffee/tea & a homemade snack.

EQUIPMENT LIST: All materials are provided for in the workshop – we want you to not have to worry about a thing when you come along. If you would like to see what we use or bookmark for later, the link is here.

And we have a great Pinterest board for those that are new to sewing – it includes hints, tips, and projects great for those new to sewing! Why not check it out and follow it?

FAQs