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– 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 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 homemade snack.

Unlike other quilt making workshops – 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. We have all the equipment available in house to use and we also have a selection of books to borrow that will help you get inspired to try other quilts when the workshop has ended. 

Quilt making for beginners has been updated and revised from its original form and now includes an extra day of tuition – so even more knowledge to take home with you!  For those of you that have tried to make a quilt and got stuck, spent hours on YouTube to find out how to do it and ended up with more questions than answers or if you are a beginner who wants to start out strong, this workshop will teach you the basics of quilting in a way that unravels the mystery.

We break each section down into bite-size chunk, that over the three half-day course, give you the information you need to understand (and enjoy!) the entire process of making and finishing a quilt. 

In this class, which takes place over three half days, Maeri Howard will be your instructor. She will guide you through the three sessions (with a class limit size to three other participants) following the course structure below:

In Session one, you will:

• break down the structure of our traditional block pattern, which is what we will be working with to complete our quilt.
• use the “charm pack” method to understand how the maths behind how many blocks to cut to achieve a block pattern.
• 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 blocks. ready for sewing.
• create a topper pattern for the quilt and demonstrate how to sew the topper.  The topper will be completed in preparation for the next session, either in the studio if time allows, or at home.

In Session two, you will:

• 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.
• be shown how to neaten your topper – true up – 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.
• you will finish the quilting effect either in the studio during the class time or at home, in preparation for the final session

In Session three, you will:

• show the student how to make and then add their own bias binding to the quilt.
• basic 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 all of the sessions.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner 

Course Availability: Daytimes & Evenings

Fee and what this includes: 147.00, this includes all items needed to make your quilt (which we will have completed by the end of the third session), coffee/tea and 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 purchasing later, the link is here.

FAQs

Freehand Machine Embroidery isn’t just another workshop showing you how to use your sewing machine – it is one of the ultimate ways to show your creativity without the confines of seams and structure. Think swirls, think circles, think beautiful coloured threads, freehand machine embroidery is used to build texture and overlap to create a beautiful design with lines close together and random. We teach you the skills, tips and tricks required so you can understand the process of machine embroidery to ensure you make a beautiful bespoke work of your own creative expression.

In this workshop, you will use a 19 x 19 panel of neutral toned mid-weight fabric as the base for your finished piece. This panel, when finished, can be used as a cushion front, a piece of wall art or for you to keep and use as you want.

In this workshop, taught by Maria Tarn, you will learn:

• how to prepare your fabric for machine embroidery.
• how to set your sewing machine up ready for the embroidery process.
• you can work with a design that we supply or you can create your own
• learn how to use medium weight stabilizer and Vilene double sided stabilizer in preparing your panel.

Skill Level:  Beginner

Course Availability: Daytime

Tools and Equipment required for this Freehand Machine Embroidery workshop: ALL SUPPLIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE. A complete list of what we use in the workshop is listed here and can be purchased from our on-line store or in person at the Studio.

Fee and what this includes: 47.00. The cost for the workshop includes everything you will need to complete this workshop – we even provide an embroidery for the sewing machines. However, if you would like to learn on your own sewing machine, please feel free to bring it with you as we are very machine friendly. 

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?