• Measuring for curtains
• Estimating fabric quantities
• Where to purchase fabric locally and what to look for
• Checking, cutting out and pattern matching
• Hems, seam allowances, and mitered corners
• Making up
• Attaching heading tape
• Gathering up and hanging

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. You can purchase all of the equipment used to make your curtains as we have it in stock in the Studio – and we give you a 10% discount if you purchase it during your workshop.

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 chunks, that over the three half-day courses, 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

If we told you that if you attended our beginners 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

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?

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. 

If you want to learn the trade secrets behind making a piped cushion that is finished to a professional level, this three and a half hour workshop is exactly what you are looking for.

This workshop is taught by Anne Sigsworth, owner of Sophies Soft Furnishings, who has over sixteen years experience in making professional soft furnishings. Anne is not only a gifted teacher, she shares her tips and tricks that help sewers achieve the look of a high street store when making the cushion to enable them to recreate this same look at home.

In this workshop:

• You will work with both a zipper foot and a piping foot in order to make the piping to achieve the finished cushion.
• We discuss how to pick the best fabric to achieve the result you are looking for.
• You will learn how to make bias binding in order so that your piping is unique your cushion.
• We look at ways to embellish your cushions to create a bespoke cushion.
• At the end of the workshop, you will have completed a fully finished 18 x 18 piped cushion complete with insert, to take home, ready to add to your home decor.

We supply the fabric for the workshop or you can bring along 0.5 meters of your chosen fabric if you like –  we can offer you advice on purchasing fabric if required. 

Note: This workshop does require basic sewing machine skills. If you would like to freshen up your sewing skills, our All You Need To Know To Sew workshop is a great way to ensure you know exactly what you are doing with your sewing machine. 

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Course Availability: Daytime 

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 if you would like to purchase items for future makes, the link is here. You can also purchase any of the items that you use for your workshop as we stock all of the items used on the day. And we give you an extra 10% discount on the day!

Fee and what this includes: 48.00, this includes all items needed to make your Piped Cushion Cover. (We can even lend you a sewing machine if required), a full set of instructions, coffee/tea & a homemade snack.

FAQs

• Understand the basic construction of the metal frame used to make your lampshade.
• Cut fabric to the required size of drum.
• Leave with a fully finished 30 cm drum lampshade ready to be hung from the ceiling or placed on a table.