Learn to sew a buttonhole cushion cover with self covered buttons

• How to accurately mark out and position buttonholes
• How to sew automatic buttonholes on the sewing machine
• Tips on how to cut open buttonholes neatly and safely
• How to make self covered buttons
• How to hand sew self covered buttons into place
• There will be the option of using the overlocker with guidance to finish off raw edges but not compulsory

• 3 x metal buttons to be self covered
• Use of sewing machines, tools and overlocker for finishing if required
• Photographic handout of the skills learnt in the workshop will be emailed to you after the class
• Cushion pad is not supplied

• Medium weight woven fabric (not stretchy)
• If fabric is 115cm wide you will need 1m of fabric
• If fabric is 145cm wide you will need 0.5m of fabric
• Matching/co-ordinating machine thread (a selection of Gutermann threads are available to buy at the studio)

Sewcial Stitch

Do you have a project you have been meaning to start or finish and need a motivation boost?

Would you like to spend the afternoon sewing with others on your own individual project?

• Full use of Janome sewing machines
• Shared use of the studio overlocker
• A selection of sewing tools available to use including rotary cutters and mats & sewing clips
• Tea/coffee

Save 10% when booking 4 or more Sewcial Stitch sessions by using the voucher code SS10 at the checkout!!

Learn to sew with oilcloth

Oilcloth can be a really tricky fabric to work with. This 3 hour learn to sew with oilcloth class will teach you the essential skills of sewing with oilcloth and you will make 2 fantastic zipped pouches to take home.

You will learn lots of useful sewing skills including cutting out of fabric accurately, top tips for how to sew with oilcloth and changing feet on the machine. This class includes inserting a zip so you will also learn how to use the zipper foot and how to insert a zip into oilcloth.

You will learn:

• Cutting out of fabric accurately
• Top tips for how to sew with oilcloth
• Changing feet on the machine and use of the zipper foot
• How to insert a zip into oilcloth
• Top stitching
• Sewing gusset corners if sewing the ‘boxy’ pouches

You will make 2 pouches to take home.

• Your first pouch will be a standard zipped pouch for coins or pencils etc (floral design on the picture)
• Then for your second pouch you can do another standard pouch or choose between 2 other design options –  either the standard boxed pouch (pale pink and white spots in picture) or taller pouch with boxed corners at the bottom only (grey and white diamonds on the picture)

Equipment and Materials:

• Janome sewing machines and selection of sewing tools provided to use – including rotary cutters and self healing mats
• All materials included including a small selection of several oilcloths and zips
• Photographic handout of the skills learnt in the workshop will be emailed after the workshop
• Tea & Coffee included

Optional:

You are welcome to bring a your own oilcloth – if so get in touch and I will let you know how much you will need.

Cost £45

Lorna says:

“Oilcloth can be a nightmare to sew with! However, once you learn some top tips about sewing with it, you can make a whole variety of projects using it – aprons, tote bags, placemats, peg bags. It’s a great fabric to use as it can be wiped clean. Come along and gain some confidence sewing with this versatile fabric!”

Learn to sew a sweatshirt – Tilly and the Buttons Billie sweater/sweater dress

“Cool, casual and modern, Billie is an ultra-comfy sweatshirt or sweater dress.” “It has a relaxed shape, crew neckline and classic trim details. Keep it effortless with cuffed, straight sleeves, or add some drama with on-trend balloon sleeves and deep cuffs. Choose between top length which sits on the high hip, or mini dress which finishes 10cm (4in) above the knee with gorgeous cutaway pockets.”  (taken from the Tilly and the Buttons website)

This workshop is suitable for those who have used a sewing machine before, can confidently thread the machine and bobbin and have sewn several projects before. If you need a beginners class or a refresher then have a look at beginners classes available. Please get in touch if you are not sure whether this is a suitable level for you.

You will learn how to:

• Take essential body measurements and select your pattern size
• Identify pattern pieces required
• Lengthen/shorten pattern pieces if required
• Accurately cut out pattern pieces
• Identify the grainline of the fabric and lay out pattern pieces correctly
• Follow a commercial sewing pattern
• Cut stretch fabric accurately
• Top tips on how to sew with stretch fabric on a regular sewing machine
• Stabilise necklines and hems on stretch garments
• Top stitch using a twin needle (optional)

If this is your first garment or first time using stretchy fabrics, I would suggest you choose to sew the sweatshirt version. If you are more confident then you could choose the dress or balloon sleeved version.

What is included:

• Paper pattern and step by step instruction booklet worth £17.50 .
• Full tuition in order to make your garment

Pattern sizing

The Billie sewing pattern is sized between UK sizes 6-34.

You will need to measure yourself in order to know how much fabric to get. You cannot compare to high street sizes. Please get in touch if you are uncertain.

You will need to measure your bust, waist and hips. Please refer to my blog post on measuring yourself accurately.

You will need to get:

• Fabric - approximately 1.5m-4m (depends on your size and which version). Upon booking you will be given guidance on how much fabric you will need based on your measurements.

• Optional :
• Ribbing - You can use separate ribbing for the cuffs, hem band, neckline or use the same fabric as the main garment.

I would recommend using ribbing for cuffs etc, if main fabric has less than 20% stretch. For a regular sleeve you will need 0.6m of ribbing and for the balloon sleeve you will need 0.7m of ribbing.

If your fabric is particularly stretchy you can stabilise the shoulder seams using 30cm (12″) of 6-9mm (1/4″) wide satin ribbon.

Fabric suggestions: 

Sweatshirt fleece, French terry, Ponte Roma, double knit, interlock or sweater knit with at least 10% stretch. 

Please give me a call if you are in any doubt about fabric choices or suggestions of where to buy from.

It is recommended to pre wash your fabric before the workshop as it is likely to shrink a little in the first wash. Do not hang your fabric to dry as it will stretch out of shape – dry flat.

Cost £110

Lorna says:

“This has been such a popular Tilly and the Buttons’ pattern and you can see why. I absolutely love this pattern (as you can see from my 3 versions!!). So comfy to wear and with the 3 options in the one pattern, it offers great value for money. Perfect working from home attire! It is a great pattern for those new to sewing with stretch or for those a bit more confident that would like to improve their skills further.“

My versions :

Children’s sewing class –

Learn to sew fabric bookmarks

This class is ideal for children who have never used a sewing machine before or if they don't feel that confident. Time will be spent at the beginning going through how to use the machine and practising. If your child has used a machine before then they will be able to crack on with the project and have more time to create!

In this children’s sewing class, you will learn how to make some fabulous fabric bookmarks.  Be inspired, unleash your creativity and learn a fantastic skill at the same time. There are 2 types of bookmarks and each one can be completely unique as you can customise them as you wish.

For children in Year 5 and above.

Equipment and Materials:

• Janome sewing machines and basic sewing tools provided to use.
• All fabric and materials for the project are included.
• Soft drinks/biscuits included.

Other points to note:

• Finger guards will be fitted to the sewing machines which prevent fingers getting too close to the sewing needle
• I have an up to date DBS check

Other points to note:

• There will be a selection of fabrics to choose from. Alternatively if you would prefer to supply your own fabric just let me know and I can give you the dimensions.

Cost £25 

Learn to sew a reversible shoulder bag

Learn how to make a gorgeous reversible shoulder bag in this 3 hour class.

This sewing class is a Level 3 class - You need to have sewn a few simple projects before.

The bag has nice long straps, gorgeous topstitching details and a separate oval base piece.

You will learn:

• Tips on accurate and neat topstitching
• How to ease in patterns pieces to sew 2 curves together
• Sewing round curves accurately
• Optional - learn to insert a magnetic clasp fastening (if you're not worried about the bag being reversible)

Equipment and Materials:

What is included:

• Full use of Janome sewing machines and Prym tools
• Magnetic clasp fastening and interfacing if inserting a clasp.

What you need to bring:

• Fabric - You will need 75cm of 2 different fabrics. Medium weight cottons/ denims/ upholstery weight fabrics would work well
• Machine thread - you can use a contrasting thread to make the top stitching stand out.

Cost £40

Lorna says:

“This is a brand new class and I absolutely love this bag. It goes over your shoulder comfortably, I have already been using one of mine as a project bag - perfect to grab and go! I love that it is reversible too.”

Project from www.sewdiy.com with permission

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