Our Overlockers for Beginners workshop can make all the difference to your finished sewing – no more raggy hems and your finish looks like it was made by a high street shop. Plus you really understand what it can do and most importantly – how to thread it!!

But what if you have never sewn on one before and are not sure if it will make that much difference for the sewing that you do and the additional cost of purchasing one? Or what if you have one but do not know how to use it properly or keep finding that the same old problems when sewing keep you from using it to its full potential? Or what if people keep telling you that you need one and you have no clue what it is!

Our Overlockers for Beginners is for those that do not own an overlocker but want to have a go on one or have one but need guidance on how to get the most out of it and how to overcome the main problems that occur when using one.

You will receive approximately two hours demonstration in the Studios relaxed environment, including a question and answer section, on how to use our four spool serger, a Toyota SL1A or any overlockers brought by attendees. This is a chance to see what an overlocker does and also answer questions on what using it requires. The demonstration will include:

• what each of the four spools of the thread do in overlock stitch construction
• how to thread up a machine from scratch with tips and tricks to make it painless
• how to rethread a machine without having to thread from the beginning
• maintenance and how to keep your machine running properly
• a set of sample stitches
• a three-page troubleshooters guide

We also discuss what overlockers we would recommend for purchasing if you are considering buying one.

Skill Level: Absolute Beginner

Course Availability: Daytime, evening

Fee and what this includes: 20.00, coffee/tea and a homemade snack.

If you love Pinterest like we do, why not check out our All About Sergers/Overlockers board for some great information which we have put together for you?

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

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

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: 40.00, 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?

Quilt making has long been thought of as the perfect union of creative expression and useful craft. Taking a very basic but effective Strip Quilt pattern, your finished piece quickly becomes a family heirloom, which you proudly tell people you made yourself. This workshop is a great launching pad for those that have wanted to try quilt making but have been hesitant in making the leap.  We break each section down into bite size chunks that over the two half day course, gives you the information you need to understand ( and enjoy!) the entire process of making and finishing a quilt.

Each student will learn the basic fundamentals about choosing a pattern for your quilt, how to work with colour and texture to achieve a balance in your quilt top and then work through the various stages of quilt making to finish the workshop with a 44″ x 44″ (111cm x 111 cm)  lap quilt that is uniquely your own design.

In this class, which takes place over two half days, Maeri Howard will be your instructor.

In Session one, you will:

• break down the structure of our simple Strip Quilt block pattern, which is what we will be working with to complete our quilt.
• discuss and be shown examples of the four main elements of making a quilt (topper, wadding, backing and bias binding) so that the student has a complete understanding of the dynamics of quilt making.
• choose your fabric from our large selection of quilting weight cotton from America for the topper of the quilt, discussing colour choice and balance.
• using a rotary cutter, acrylic ruler and cutting mat (basic tools of the trade for quilters) you will cut the strips, ready to be sewn together.
• The topper for the quilt will be completed in preparation for the next session, either in the studio if time allows, or at home.

In Session two, you will:

• be shown how to neaten your topper and “true up” or square a quilt so that is it ready for assembly.
• create the sandwich effect of the topper, the wadding and the backing fabric.
• show the student how to create a quilting effect using a walking/even feed foot.
• show the student how to make and then add their own double bias binding to the quilt.
• some hand sewing will be required to finish the binding but this can be easily shown how to do.

Note: The cost for this workshop includes everything – you get to choose your fabric for your quilt from an extensive selection of high-quality fabrics imported from America as well as have available all the specialist equipment required to make your quilt.The cost covers both of the sessions.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner 

Course Availability: Daytimes & Evenings

Fee and what this includes: 115.00, this includes all items needed to make your quilt (which we will have completed by the end of the second session), coffee/tea and a home made 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 purchasing later, the link is here.

FAQs

If you can make an A-line skirt  it can be the staple to any wardrobe – but finding one to make that is well constructed, has a lining and pockets can be hard to find.  We use the Amy Butler Barcelona pattern as our base and then show you how to customise it to different lengths, add a french seam, insert an invisible zipper for a neat finish as well as different lengths to suit your own particular taste. And once you know how to create the first skirt, you can go on to make more skirts in a wide variety of fabric choices for all seasons – you can have a skirt for every occasion!

In this multi-session workshop you will learn:

Session 1:

• measuring for your size (this pattern sits slightly lower along the hips than your average A-line skirt)
• cutting out both the lining fabric and the main fabric as well as transferring markings
• installing an invisible zipper using an invisible zipper foot to the main fabric
• We provide the fabric for the lining (either a white or black cotton muslin weight) as well as the zipper foot for installing the zipper, an invisible zipper, thread etc.  
• You will be required to purchase  2 3/8 yards  0r 1.9 metres of fabric of your choice before the workshop.  We can give you advice on what type of fabric you could use for your skirt – the suggested fabric by the designer is a cotton weight fabric.

Session 2:

• construct the main fabric skirt, using a French seam for a clean finish
• construct the skirt lining also using a French seam
• attach main fabric and lining together
• finish hand sewing the zipper to the lining to ensure a finished look
• hem the skirt to the appropriate height

Skill Level: Enthusiastic beginner (not sure if you are an enthusiastic beginner? We like you to be able to have taken a dressmaking course so that you understand basics such as laying out your pattern, cutting etc. but also how to sew straight and not be afraid to ask questions.

But if you want to make sure you are set up to take this workshop, why not sign up for our beginning dressmaking workshop Dressmaking Isn’t Rocket Science or our beginner sewing workshop All You Need to Know to Sew ?)

Course Availability: Daytimes & Evenings

Fee and what this includes: 70.00 and this includes everything you will need to take this workshop except for the main fabric (we can even lend you a sewing machine if required), coffee/tea and a home made snack.

FAQs

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

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

Our beginner’s dressmaking workshop isn’t rocket science – we promise you! Anyone who knows me will know that this is a bit of a poke at my newly appointed husband who really is a scientist! When he starts telling me about his day, I start to think “huh – what is he talking about? but he takes the time to explain it to me, puts it into real world language and it suddenly makes sense to me. And I can understand where some might think the same about dressmaking as it can be shrouded in mystery words and techniques but using our easy, relaxed but can-do attitude towards learning, we will work with you ensure that you learn a modern, more relaxed approach to dressmaking from the ground up.

This is a multi-session workshop, and the cost includes EVERYTHING – even a sewing machine if needed – as well a 16-page workbook created just for this workshop and samples where required. You will make a top from the independent pattern company Colette Patterns called the Laurel Top – which is a great top to start with as you can modify it for so many different looks.

Please note: Both evening and day sessions cover the same information.

Session 1: – You won’t need a sewing machine for this session as much of what this session is about knowledge intake and pattern preparation before you start. In this session, we will be:

• Showing you around the various patterns that are available for you to use (mainstream ones like Butterick and New Look, Independent labels, free ones from magazines as well as PDF downloads from the internet) and the plusses and minuses of using these each type of pattern.
• Talking about how to understand taking correct measurements and if you would like, take your set for reference.
• Using the Colette Laurel Top pattern, you will be given a demonstration on basic pattern tracing techniques using American craft paper.
• Talking about fabric for your pattern and how to pick the correct fabric for your pattern. We will discuss fabric preparation and show you how to layout and cut your the fabric as per your pattern instructions.

You will have a full set of instructions and information for all the areas that we cover (we even give you a little notebook to take notes!). For homework, you will be taking home your fabric and cutting it out ready for next week – but don’t worry, we will make sure you know what you are doing!

We provide the fabric for your project (a cotton lawn weight) and try to pick a range of fabrics to choose from but this can be the hardest part as everyone has personal tastes that we can’t, with the best knowledge in the world, accommodate for. If you have a specific fabric you would like to use – or are keen to purchase your own – we can give you advice that is suitable for these projects. But please don’t feel you have to purchase anything as again, we provide it!

 Session number 2 – This is where the magic begins! We will:

• Review last weeks session and a quick Q and A session.
• Discuss piecing techniques for ensuring pain-free construction of your garment.
• Learn how to insert a zipper (how to know what zipper to use, how to shorten a zipper that is too long, explain the importance of a zipper foot and how to change it and then simple insertion techniques)
• Use your pattern instructions, and be guided as you start to piece your garment together.
• Discuss the importance of double bias binding to the construction of your garment . You will make your own bias binding for your garment.
• Add the bias binding to your sleeves and neckline.

Session number 3/4 – Making sure you get a great finish for your top (or how to surprise people when you tell them that you made it!). We will:

• Use the “easing” technique for simple and easy insertion of sleeves.
• Conduct final piecing of your garment.
• Create fabric buttons from your fabric of choice to finish the back closing.
• Discuss where you can make basic alterations to your top to help get a better fit.
• We can answer any questions and give advice on moving forward with choosing a pattern; the Studio has a collection of patterns and pattern books that you can borrow free of charge to trace your next project from.

Skill Level: Enthusiastic Beginner (not sure if you are an enthusiastic beginner? We like you to be able to sew straight and not be afraid to ask questions. But if you want to make sure you are set up to take this workshop, why not sign up for our All You Need to Know to Sew workshop?)

Course Availability: Daytimes & Evenings

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.

Fee and what this includes: 127.00 and this includes everything you will need to take this workshop (we can even lend you a sewing machine if required), coffee/tea and a home made snack.