Making Friends with your Sewing Machine – Beginners

Right from the start you will learn how to thread your machine and through projects similar to the ones below, you will learn and practice different skills and techniques, such as: sewing forwards and backwards, sewing corners and curves, using templates and bias binding, patchwork, envelope backing, and decorative stitches.

Week 1 :             Table napkins

• Skill introduced : Threading your machine,
• Skill introduced : Filling a bobbin with thread,
• Skill introduced : Preparing and cutting fabric,
• Skill introduced : mitred corners.

Week 2 :             iPad/Phone stand

• Skill introduced : ladder stitch,
• Skill introduced : turning corners,
• Skill introduced : using stuffing.

Week 3 :             Reading Pillow

• Skill introduced : adding wadding to a project,
• Skill introduced : adding an external slip pocket,
• Skill introduced : top stitching.

Week 4 :             Roll-up shopping tote bag

• Skill introduced : making your own handles,
• Skill introduced : using a button and elastic as a mechanism to secure.

Week 5 :             Apron

• Skill introduced : applique,
• Skill introduced : cutting larger fabric pieces,
• Skill introduced : splitting an external pocket.

Week 6 :             Mini card holder

• Skill introduced : using snap fasteners,
• Skill introduced : using lightweight iron-on interfacing,
• Skill introduced : rounded corners.

Week 7 :             Fabric Pencil Case

• Skill introduced : making a lined pouch,
• Skill introduced : using Velcro as fastening.

Week 8 :             Wash bag

• Skill introduced : adding a top closing zip,
• Skill introduced : using heavy-duty iron-on interfacing,
• Skill introduced : adding an external zipped pocket,
• Skill introduced : using webbing.

Weeks 9 & 10 :  Shoulder bag (2-week project)

• • Skill introduced : internal zipped pocket,
  • Skill introduced : using a bag base to maintain structure,
  • Skill introduced : magnetic snap clasp fastener,
  • Skill introduced : adding metal feet to a bag,
  • Skill introduced : using D-rings.

The tutor demonstrates the skills to be learned in each session and will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice. Handouts will be given at the end of each class so learners can make further projects at home.

Your working sewing machine. Please note it may be worth putting your machine in for a service before the class if it has not been used in years to avoid disappointment in the first lesson if it doesn’t work.

A basic sewing kit will be needed. We suggest at least: fabric scissors or a rotary cutter, quilting ruler, cutting mat, little thread scissors and pins

You will need to bring fabric and thread for each project so that the projects are unique to you and your style.

We will be in touch before the start of the course with what you will need for Week 1.

Please bring your machine to the sessions.