Sewing and textiles seems to be growing in popularity all the time.
We have several courses in sewing and dressmaking, making the most of your sewing machine (learning how to use all the functions!). So you can make something for your home, for a gift or maybe a unique item of clothing perfectly designed, just for you!
These courses are the chance to build skills, create something really special and unique and really enjoy using and creating with textiles
Some courses will run as online courses and some will start at Stoke Lodge or St Pauls. You can see the starting venue/format for each course listed below. We reserve the right to change the format of the course, in term, should safety advice change.
NEW Creative Fabric Scraps
Upcycling and recycling have never been so important and fashionable. You will learn how to use every bit of fabric you have left over from your projects or even use old clothing to make sustainable and useful items. The tutor will discuss a range of items you could make for example reusable make-up remover pads, small gifts for Christmas, etc. Sewing machines are available to use but you may wish to bring your own
Saturday 10am to 4pm Ann Huntley
One day on 27 November £48/£32 C21A Stoke Lodge
NEW Creative Stitch-Illuminated Letters
Personalise a project with stitched numerals or lettering. Each week you will be introduced to a new or associated technique using letters, numbers or writing with embroidery. You will learn how to trace and transfer a design, outline with stitch, make a numeral or monogram for a card, make appliqué and fancy illuminated letters. Fee includes core materials.
Mondays 1pm to 4pm Debby Bird
5 sessions from 20 September £115/£73 C12A Stoke Lodge
NEW Creative Stitch-Fantasy Fusions
Learn exciting new techniques to fuse and reuse shiny scraps and foils; use infusible inks as a basis for embroidery. Each week you will be introduced to a new or associated technique using a hot iron to fuse transfer adhesive, appliqué, foils, transfer dyes and create modern and unusual backgrounds for embroidery. Fee includes core materials.
Mondays 1pm to 4pm Debby Bird
6 sessions from 1 November £133/£84 C12B Stoke Lodge
Dressmaking And Textiles
Students will learn how to use a sewing machine, construct a simple garment and choose commercial patterns, fabric and haberdashery. This course is designed for those with basic or no previous knowledge of sewing.
Mondays 6.30pm to 9pm Lorraine Joseph
6 sessions from 13 September £108/£66 C19A Stoke Lodge
And
Mondays 6.30pm to 9pm Lorraine Joseph
6 sessions from 1 November £108/£66 C19B Stoke Lodge
NEW Freemotion Machine Embroidery-5,4,3,2,1…Blast off! Numerals & Letters
Design with shapes, numerals and letters and explore the freedom of freemotion embroidery with your sewing machine. Personalise a project with stitched numerals or lettering and see how to use large die cut numerals or letters for a celebration design. Suitable for all abilities. Fee includes some specialist materials.
You need to bring your own sewing machine and a special embroidery/darning foot for your machine.
Saturday 10am to 4pm Debby Bird
One day on 16 October £55/£40 C12C Stoke Lodge
NEW Freemotion Machine Embroidery-Foiled Fantasy
A one-day introduction into using transfer foils and decorative stitch with your sewing machine. You can use your own ideas or use patterns provided by the tutor. You will learn how to create shapes with transfer adhesive, apply the foil and embroider all the details. Freemotion allows you to “draw” and write freely rather than using the straight-line feed teeth of the machine. Suitable for all abilities. Fee includes some specialist materials.
You need to bring your own sewing machine and a special embroidery/darning foot for your machine.
Saturday 10am to 4pm Debby Bird
One day on 13 November £55/£40 C12D Stoke Lodge
NEW Getting To Know Your Sewing Machine
Don’t know where to start or want to get more out of your sewing machine? This is for you! This workshop aims to help you get to know your sewing machine. You will use the various stitches, sewing feet and accessories that come with your machine. Fee includes fabric for a mini project. Bring your own sewing machine.
Friday 10am to 4pm Ann Huntley
1 session on 12 November £47/£35 C30A Stoke Lodge
Learning To Sew-And More!
You will learn basic sewing machine skills and techniques to help you make clothes and furnishings. You will also learn to read a pattern and discover some of the essential hand stitches needed to finish off your project. All abilities welcome.
Fridays 10am to 12.30pm Marilyn Mitchelmore
6 sessions from 17 September £108/£66 C50A Stoke Lodge
And
Fridays 10am to 12.30pm Marilyn Mitchelmore
6 sessions from 5 November £108/£66 C50B Stoke Lodge
NEW Needle Felting Workshop-Blue Tit
Discover the relaxing and rewarding properties of needle felting in this one-day workshop making a cute decorative item. Learn how to transform a bundle of sheep’s fleece into a 3D sculpture using specially barbed needles. Enjoy a gently paced workshop suitable for complete beginners. Fee includes materials. This workshop will take place at Stoke Lodge.
Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm Elaine Perry
One day on 30 September £50/£36 C66A Stoke Lodge
NEW Needle Felting Workshop-Pumpkin
Discover the relaxing and rewarding properties of needle felting in this one-day workshop making a cute decorative item. Learn how to transform a bundle of sheep’s fleece into a 3D sculpture using specially barbed needles. Enjoy a gently paced workshop suitable for complete beginners. Fee includes materials. This workshop will take place at Stoke Lodge.
Wednesday 9.30am to 2.30pm Elaine Perry
One day on 13 October £55/£40 C66B Stoke Lodge
NEW Needle Felting Workshop-Tomte/Gnome
Discover the relaxing and rewarding properties of needle felting in this one-day workshop making a cute decorative item. Learn how to transform a bundle of sheep’s fleece into a 3D sculpture using specially barbed needles. Enjoy a gently paced workshop suitable for complete beginners. Fee includes materials. This workshop will take place at Stoke Lodge.
Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm Elaine Perry
One day on 18 November £55/£40 C66C Stoke Lodge
NEW Needle Felting Workshop-Christmas Bauble
Discover the relaxing and rewarding properties of needle felting in this one-day workshop making a cute decorative item. Learn how to transform a bundle of sheep’s fleece into a 3D sculpture using specially barbed needles. Enjoy a gently paced workshop suitable for complete beginners. Fee includes materials. This workshop will take place at Stoke Lodge.
Wednesday 9.30am to 2.30pm Elaine Perry
One day on 1 December £50/£36 C66D Stoke Lodge
Or
Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm Elaine Perry
One day on 9 December £50/£36 C66E Stoke Lodge
Sewing For Complete Beginners
This beginners’ sewing course will give you the confidence to use a sewing machine on your own. By the end of the course you will have learnt how to make a cushion cover, a zipped toiletry bag and a pair of pyjama shorts or pyjama bottoms. Material for cushion cover and zipped bag are included in the fee- the tutor will advise you on material you need to purchase for the pyjama shorts. Sewing machines are available to use but you may wish to bring your own.
Thursdays 6pm to 9pm Ann Huntley
6 sessions from 4 November £145/£94 C29A Stoke Lodge
Upholstery
Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. If your project requires it, you can also learn how to use a sewing machine. Due to limited storage, please bring smaller, lighter pieces. All pieces of furniture MUST be taken home at the end of the course unless you have enrolled on the next course.
Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 13 September £148/£90 C13A Stoke Lodge
Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 13 September £124/£75 C14A Stoke Lodge
Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 14 September £124/£75 C15A Stoke Lodge
Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 16 September £124/£75 C16A & Stoke Lodge
Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 1 November £148/£90 C13B Stoke Lodge
Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 1 November £124/£75 C14B Stoke Lodge
Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 2 November £124/£75 C15B Stoke Lodge
Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
6 sessions from 4November £124/£75 C16B Stoke Lodge
Upholstery On Saturdays
These one-day workshops can be used as a “taster” or as an opportunity to complete an unfinished project. If you intend to finish a project in a day, please bring fabric and braid (if appropriate). Please choose a small, manageable piece. No previous experience necessary.
Pieces of furniture cannot be stored at Stoke Lodge due to limited storage space.
Saturday 10am to 4pm Nicola Hamilton
One day on 16 October £55/£40 C17A Stoke Lodge