Daytime and Evening Workshops and Tuition . . . 
Pop into the shop to pick up an up to date workshop schedule.   Small numbers of students mean better learning.

Dressmaking Level 1

This is a 2 hour session which runs most of the year.  These are arranged during morning, afternoon or evening sessions.  
This class enables you to learn skills and progress while you work through your projects.  You will develop skills to save you money and keep you and your family looking smart.  It is advisable to bring your own sewing machine and/or overlocking machine, although you may use the machines provided.  Many students have started at this level
 and moved on to more complex projects.  

Session fee: £20.  Special discount on these sessions, When you book and pay for 5 in one block and you get the 6th one free!


Sewing skills required for this session: None
Requirements: Small tools will be provided.  Please bring your pattern, haberdashery and fabric, and your machine if desired.

Alterations and  Repairs 

This is a 2 hour session which runs most of the year.  Day and evening sessions available.  Evening sessions will be from 7 till 9pm.  Session fee: £20.


We live in a fast moving, throwaway society, but we are also having to pay higher prices for everything.  For this reason it makes sense to adapt to the situation and learn to use skills where we can to save money.  This class will provide you with a set of skills which can save you and your family money, and extend the life of your favourite garments. If you have a knack and a desire, there is no reason why you can't use this knowledge and these positive skills to start your own business in clothing alterations.  

We will be looking at items of clothing you may bring to the class, as well as showing you how to use the techniques adapted from industry. For example, relining a coat or jacket, how to replace a zip in jeans, trousers, skirts, jackets and dresses.  How to repair small tears and split seams.  How to shorten and lengthen skirts, dresses, trousers, cuffs, jackets or coats.  .  

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Constructing a Circular Skirt

This is a 3 hour one-off workshop, run regularly.   Day and evening sessions available.  Evening sessions will be from 6 till 9pm.
Discover how easy it is to make a spectacular circular skirt from your favourite material.   Can be made from a wide variety of different fabrics.  Lined or unlined.  Fitted at the waist and flowing, finished length is up to you.  Waistband and zip fastening.
Workshop fee: £30

Sewing skills required for these sessions: You will need to have reached a general level in sewing by machine for these sessions.  
Requirements: You should bring your own fabric, linings, haberdashery, trimmings, and pattern if you need it for your project, however, this skirt may easily be created without a pattern.  You may bring your machine if you desire.

Re-discover Your Overlocker

A 2 hour workshop which is held often. Usually a daytime session, morning or afternoon.
Are you afraid of changing settings on your overlocking machine?  Are you confident enough to use all the various functions on your machine?  Most people who buy an overlocker never find the courage to change anything on it, it seems like too much trouble, and it can feel scary.  With the knowledge you gain from this session you should never again be afraid of re-threading, changing the function, and using your overlocker for a variety of finishes.  You can't do better than getting to know your own machine.
Session fee: £20 for group, £40 for individual tuition.

Sewing skills required for this session: None
Requirements: Small tools will be provided.  It is advisable to bring your own overlocking machine and don't forget the foot pedal.  Your machine manual will also help us to clarify the functions.  A notepad and pen may be useful.

Designer Accessories

This is a one day workshop from 10am till 3pm, held often. Some evening sessions available, usually from 6 till 9pm over 2 evenings.
Make a tote bag, crazy patchwork bag, soft hat or scarf, or maybe a bead fringed stole for a special occasion.  Or maybe you wish to decorate an item, to make it unique and special.  You may have a pattern for an accessory you wish to make, or maybe you simply have an idea of what you want to make, we can create it in the workshop.
Workshop fee: £75 for 1 day workshop: £65 if attending 2 separate sessions of 3 hours.

Sewing skills required for these sessions: You will need to have reached a general level in sewing by hand and machine for these sessions.  
Requirements: You should bring your own fabrics, linings, haberdashery and trimmings, and a pattern if you need it for your project.  You may bring your machine if you desire.

Decorative Techniques with Stitches &Beads

This is a one day workshop from 10am till 3pm, held often.  Some evening sessions available, usually from 6 till 9pm over 2 evenings.  
Learn to use artistic techniques using fabrics, trimmings, beads and threads.  We will be creating applique. crazy patchwork, freestyle decorative machine stitching, relief work, beading.  You may be inspired to make your piece of work into a wall hanging, a bag or a cushion cover when you have completed it.  Or you can simply make samples of the different techniques for your future reference.

Workshop fee: £75 for 1 day workshop: £65 if attending 2 separate sessions of 3 hours.

Sewing skills required for these sessions: You will need to have reached a general level in sewing by machine for these sessions. 
Requirements: Small tools will be provided.  If you have some fancy bits of fabric, beads or trimmings you might like to use, please bring them to the workshop.  Bring your own machine if you desire. 

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Bridal Accessories

This is a one day workshop from 10am till 3pm, run often. Some evening sessions available, usually from 6 till 9pm over 2 evenings. Create lacy gloves, decorative fabric flowers or maybe a bridal ring cushion, or a dolly bag or bridal belt.   You can make accessories to fit in with your special event.  The fabrics really make these accessories so choose carefully.
Workshop fee: £75 for 1 day workshop: £65 if attending 2 separate sessions of 3 hours.

Sewing Skills required for this session: You will need a fairly good understanding of garment construction for these sessions.  
Requirements: Small tools will be provided.  Some fabrics and trimmings may be provided for this workshop, however, if you have a specific colour or type of fabrics/trimmings please bring them.  You may bring your machine if you wish.

Pattern Cutting for Basic Blocks

This is a 2 hour workshop run every so often.  Day and evening sessions available, evenings usually from 7 till 9pm.
If you have ever thought it would be great to make your own patterns, so that the finished garment would actually fit you better, this is the class for you.  The first step to making your own basic block patterns is straightforward, you will learn how to use this system to create your own skirt or trouser pattern.  It is advised that you follow on with more of these basic pattern-making classes, to enable you to build up your stock of basic pattern blocks.  When you have mastered the techniques involved, you are advised to move on to the next level,  Advanced Pattern Cutting using the Winifred Aldrich system.
Workshop fee: £20 per session small group, for individual tuition £30 for 2 hour session, and £40 for a 3 hour session.

Sewing skills required for this session:  You will need understanding of garment construction before joining this class. 
Requirements: Handouts and a Patternmaster will be provided. Please bring pen, pencil and sharpener, rubber, metric ruler, calculator, and notebook.  There is no sewing in this session.

Advanced Pattern Cutting

This is a one day workshop, from 10am to 3pm, run often.   Special Offer - when you book a block of 5 of these sessions, you get the 6th free!

This session is great for taking pattern cutting further, to enable you to grasp the techniques of adapting your own basic block patterns and making new, more complex designs.  You will bring a set of basic block patterns in your size to work from in this session.  You may never need to buy another commercial pattern again. 
Workshop fee: £85.

Sewing skills required for this session: You need understanding of garment construction to gain access to this class.  You will have completed a number of Pattern Cutting for Basic Blocks workshops, and should bring your blocks to this workshop.
Requirements: Handouts and Patternmasters will be provided.  Please bring pen, pencil and sharpener, rubber, paper, metric ruler, calculator, notebook.  There will be no sewing in this session

So  You  Want  to  Start  Your  Own   Business?


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New Course

Info for this short course will be online shortly.
Contact me directly if you are interested to hear more.