Classes 2017

NB:As usual we will email a form for you to pick your choices at the end of June! Morning - 3 hour workshops. You will be able to choose one of these.

Cutting without a ruler to create bold, modern, abstract waves and shapes. Break out of the block! You’ll learn to cut and sew gentle curves creating positive/negative strips. A machine sewing class which is ideal for intermediates and improvers wanting to try a new style of piecing.

Enjoy a morning of pure patchwork play in this improv based course. Jo will be showing you how to make patchwork flowers and leaves from fabric with a 'no ruler' technique. Plus we'll be looking at bias tape stems and a way to applique by machine without raw edges! You can also follow this with my needle turn applique class in the afternoon and add hand sewn leaves and circles to your piece. This is a great scrap buster and your finished panel would make a lovely cushion or the start of a wall hanging or quilt! This is a machine sewing class for intermediate students (must be using a rotary cutter).

Lucy will be sharing her favourite method of piecing during a morning hand sewing session.  This traditional technique is great for small pieces of patchwork, perfect for 'on the go' sewing or 'relaxing on the sofa' sewing! Get started with the basics and also try some trickier curves while you make an exclusive pattern which can be adapted to different sized projects (to be advised soon!).

Put your scrappy strings and strips to use to create fun and colourful spool bunting to decorate your sewing or crafting space. This is a machine sewing class where you will learn a quick and simple technique to make spool shapes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The class is suitable for confident beginners.

Join Julie to make a Travel Sewing Mat complete with pincushion and thread tidy. It all folds away for easy storage and travel - perfect for taking to events such as the Stitch Gathering! While making the mat we'll cover simple patchwork and quilting skills, including binding. We will also sew with clear vinyl and make 3D shapes for the pincushion and thread catcher. Cutting out will be required in advance of the class but, having done so, it should be possible to complete the Travel Sewing Mat during the class. This is a machine sewing class with a small amount of relaxing hand sewing at the end, to finish the binding, pincushion and thread catcher. Suitable for an adventurous beginner

Afternoon - 2 to 2.5 hour workshops. You will be able to choose one of these.

You’ll learn two different construction techniques inspired by those sweets! Make the blocks up into a small mat or runner to be finished at home. Ideal as a party centrepiece! A machine sewing class for intermediates - need to be able to sew a ¼” seam and use cutting equipment.

Whip up this gorgeous improv needle case in an afternoon and never loose a needle again. Some experience of patchwork and embroidery will be an advantage as you will be creating an adorable 3D embroidered heart, and then have fun learning the improv technique to frame your masterpiece, before transforming it into a beautiful needle case. This project has been machine pieced but it could be pieced by hand or students can share a machine. A pattern will be provided so the project can be finished at home if necessary. For confident beginners.

Join me in a hands on class to build on your free motion quilting skills. Focusing on technique, I have designed a cushion sized piece based on a mix of traditional and modern quilting designs for you to copy and follow the lines, for those that are looking for something simple to do with elegant visual impact of feathers. You must have some experience of free-motion quilting and be bringing along a sewing machine capable of achieving this.

Have you ever fancied making yourself a Rope Bowl? Be warned: it is very fun and extremely addictive! We'll have the opportunity to try making different shapes and sizes of bowls and they can be embellished with coloured thread and/or fabric scraps. This will be a relaxing machine sewing class, suited to all skill levels, where you'll take home one (or more likely several!) handy bowls.

Are you a little scared of needle-turn applique? Or just want to improve your technique? Jo will be showing you clever techniques for two basic shapes - leaves and circles. Jo's methods for applique fabric preparation use a variety of materials including foil, interfacing and even leather! Make a start on this charming Ombre Flower panel (perfect for a zippy pouch!), which can be finished at home using your new found knowledge and confidence. Or if you made an Improv Flower panel in the morning you can add leaves and flower centres to finish. A hand sewing class suitable for all levels though some experience of hand sewing will be helpful.