Classes 2019

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.

Explore Jo's Freehand Foundation Piecing technique in this skills based workshop. We will be drawing up our own Dandelion Clock on a foundation fabric before foundation piecing and then tackling wonky improv curves. You will hopefully finish a quarter which can be used as a stand alone block (measuring 12") or you can make 3 more at home to create a full circle. This would make a fabulous mini quilt or large pillow! It's also a great scrappy project. A machine sewing class suitable for students with some patchwork experience.

Take a 'walk' with Sarah as she guides you through some clever ways to use your walking foot to produce striking quilting designs. Based on samples from the fantastic book 'Walk' by Jacquie Gerring and some of Sarah's own designs, this class with give you a toolkit of ideas and inspiration for future quilting projects and the opportunity to have a play and see just how easy yet effective walking foot quilting can be. A machine sewing class, you will need to come with your own machine and walking foot.

I love a Manx Log Cabin because it is portable, tactile and has a wonderful back-story - which I will share. I was taught this technique by a dear friend who learned if from an old pro sat on a wall on the Isle of Man watching the TT racing! It involves ripping fabric (eek) and using your hand span to measure. In the workshop you will learn all the basics and construct a few blocks which could make up a cosy mini quilt, or be the start of a bigger project. This is a hand-sewing class - just a basic running stitch and you’re off! Suitable for all.

Create your own mandala designs for embroidery. In this class you will play with colour and stitches and learn some tips and tricks for making your own mandala designs in various sizes. You will make several mandala designs that you can use in all kinds of embroidery projects or add to quilt blocks. Mandala embroidery designs are a fun way to experiment with different colours, shapes and stitches. During the class Carina will show several stitches she loves to use in her mandala designs. The class is suitable for beginners. The focus of the class is create beautiful designs and you do not need to know lots of embroidery stitches to create a lovely mandala. If you already know a few stitches that is great but not necessary.

You will learn the skill of curved piecing with no pins! Using the drunkard's path and double drunkard's path templates provided you will make a Jumbo Paperclip and/or Broken Paperclip block. I used this striking modern block for my last two quilt patterns and it's a great way to practice and become more confident at piecing accurate curves. A machine sewing class suitable for those with some patchwork experience.

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

Add impact, depth or a bit of frivolity to your projects by including your own text. In this hands on class we will explore different techniques to add text, including ink pen, tracing, rubber stamping and embroidery. Lucy has lots of tips for making neat lettering on fabric, even if you dislike your handwriting! Create text fabric and be inspired by a number of different ways to incorporate text into your projects - perfect for labels and name badges too. Suitable for all.

Who said stamps were just for sending letters?! Spend an afternoon with Sarah making these adorable fussy cut fabric stamps and then appliqué them onto a cushion so you can admire them forever! There's options for quilting either over the top or beneath the stamps, depending on how much you plan to use your cushion. Or why not use your stamps to decorate a zipper pouch or tote bag, there's so many possibilities! A machine sewing class suitable for all.

This is a hands-on workshop learning the basics of cyanotype printing (exposing in the sunlight) to create stunning blueprints. Once you have booked on the course I will send a video link to talk you through thinking about what objects you can bring on the day to tell your story. We will play with textures and techniques and at the end of the workshop you will have created an individual piece of fabric that could be the starting point of an exciting quilt. The creative possibilities with cyanotype are endless and I can’t wait to get you started with it. Suitable for all.

Become a confident FMQ quilter in 3 easy steps! Learn how to remove the fear factor from free-motion quilting by breaking the quilting designs down into basic and easy to quilt elements. In no time, you will want to design your own shapes and designs. With Tatyana to guide you and share her secrets you will soon feel the freedom of a quilting artist! This is not a beginners class, students must already have some experience of free-motion quilting and will need to bring their own machine with suitable FMQ foot.

Typography, hand-lettering and beautiful fonts are everywhere these days. Have you ever wanted to learn how to create beautiful letters using hand embroidery? Textured roses, stem stitched leaves and delicate french knots will bloom inside a letter of your choice and make a stunning hand made gift or even compliment another handmade item. This workshop with Lisa Dolson will be a relaxing and creative class learning a variety of embroidery techniques. This fun and therapeutic session will have you hooked on creating roses, leaves and little sprays of buds. Lisa can show you how to incorporate these stitches into a letter of your choice by planning out the design and assisting with those lovely finishing touches such as a little beading. Suitable for all.