Bring your sewing machine along and find out what amazing things it can do. We will cover adjusting stitches to suit different fabrics, some useful techniques and maintenance too.

A chance to come along and learn how to do free motion sewing. How to set your machine, what stabilisers to use, when to use it and useful accessories to help.

This session is suitable for complete beginners as well as those who can sew but want to learn how to insert a concealed/invisible zip. (Fabric and zip included in the fee, but you will need to provide your own cushion insert)

Whether you are thinking about buying one; have just bought one or had one for years but never got to grips with it, this overlocking workshop is for you. We will look at maintenance, threading, tension adjustments and achieving balanced stitches. Also: rolled hems, lettuce edges and corners. (Contact me if you need to borrow a machine) (* only £40 if you have bought a Brother overlocker from us and free if you've bought a Babylock overlocker from us)

Are you fed up making clothes that don't fit as well as you'd like them to? Come along and learn the principles of adapting a commercial pattern to fit your figure and make a toile to fine tune the fit. The fee includes a commercial pattern and calico to make up your toile as well as lunch and refreshments. After the session you can make up the pattern in your own choice of fabric and use the fitting techniques for adapting all other patterns.

Come and see us at this great annual event at Uttoxeter Racecourse. For details and tickets:
https://quiltandstitchvillage.com/

If you avoid working with some types of fabric because you don’t know how to sew them, book on this workshop. Perhaps you have a length of expensive cloth that you are frightened to cut into or you are planning a special gown and want to learn more before you start. Find out how to handle and sew stretchy knits and Lycra, sumptuous velvets, luxurious silk satins and fine, sheer voils and chiffons.
Contact Lorna at info@lornaknight.com to book your place.
(£37.50)

Bring a friend or come on your own for a friendly afternoon of sewing therapy. For National Mental Health Week we thought coming to do some hand sewing would be the perfect way to relax and forget the pressures of life. Enjoy a chat and a cup of tea and a scone while you have a go.

Come along and work on your own project.  Sew with like-minded people and have help on hand when and if you need it.  Suitable for beginners or more experienced.

After this workshop you will be certain that your clothes will never look home-made again. Samples will be made of a zip that cannot go wrong; tailored hems with no visible stitches; beautifully smooth tailored darts; bound buttonhole, Hong Kong finish; cuffs and silk covered press studs.

This workshop is for people who already own a Brother embroidery machine or for those who are interested in learning more before they buy one.  Learn to select and retrieve designs, combine and arrange patterns and text.  You will also discover a range of stabilisers and understand how to use them. *(only £40 if you have bought an embroidery machine from us)

Call in and see the full range of sewing and embroidery machines; overlockers and the ScanNCut. Learn more about Artspira and discover how it can extend your creativity. Tea, cake and special offers on the day.

Using your personal measurements, you will make a pattern for a simple bias-cut, A-line skirt with an elasticated waist. You will then go on to make up your skirt in a soft, lightweight fabric, creating an elegant, drapey style. A small range of fabrics will be available (and included in the course fee) but if you prefer to bring your own material, you may.

Traditional tailoring can be difficult and time consuming so why not fill your wardrobe with clothes made with the Terry Fox Combination Tailoring method? This uses a new generation of woven interfacings which are fused in place with no need for pad stitching and hand sewing. You will learn the full anatomy of a jacket and make up half a jacket sample with interfacings, a notched collar, set in sleeves and sleeve wrap.

If you have a Brother or Baby Lock coverstitch machine bring it along and find out how it works and what it can do.  We will use chain stitch as well as two and three thread coverstitching and play with decorative finishes.  If you are interested in buying a cover stitch machine but want to find out more first, we will happily provide you with a machine for the session.  (*10% off for customers who bought their coverstitch machines from us).

This workshop is all about reading and using paper patterns and sewing seams and hems.  You will make samples to take home and refer to so you can make lots more at home.  Once you know the basics you'll have the confidence to develop your skills at your own pace at home and then come back and learn more when you are ready.  All materials and equipment provided.

On this session you'll learn how to speed up your construction when making sleeves, cuffs and bands and also use interesting threads and cords for decorative effects. A great way to take your overlocking to the next level! (10% off if you bought an overlocker from us)

It is difficult to get a good fitting pair of trousers so the first part of the day is spent learning how to adjust a basic trouser pattern to make it more like your personal shape.  The remainder of the day is all about the techniques including pockets, fly zip insertion, a two-piece waistband, belt loops and hems.  You will make a standard sized pair of trousers to use as a working sample so that when you get home you will have all the knowledge you need to make your own pair in your choice of fabric.

Whether you are thinking about buying one; have just bought one or had one for years but never got to grips with it, this overlocking workshop is for you. We will look at maintenance, threading, tension adjustments and achieving balanced stitches. Also: rolled hems, lettuce edges and corners. (Contact me if you need to borrow a machine) (* only £40 if you have bought a Brother overlocker from us and free if you've bought a Babylock overlocker from us)

A Chanel jacket is not made with the usual interfacings and canvases of a tailored jacket. It is a fascinating method of construction. Come along and make half a jacket to learn the techniques involved then use it as a sample to help when making your very own at Chanel-style jacket at home.

All the help you need to insert zips neatly and easily. Learn the techniques for sewing in standard and invisible zips. Materials, notes and refreshments included in the cost.

This day is for anyone planning to make a special gown. We use a formula suitable for fine silks or rich velvets to eliminate the problems of wrinkling, less-then-perfect seams and problems with boning. We also cover interlining and dealing with canvas, linings, zips, piping and waist stays.

Learn the basics of pattern drafting on this half day workshop. You will take measurements, make a pattern then check the fit by making a toile. With good fitting, straight skirt pattern we will then discuss how to alter it for different styles.

This new workshop takes you through a range of fabrics and projects, explaining how best to sew hems. We will cover machined and hand-sewn hems as well as 'rolled', 'faced' and 'horsehair' methods. You will take away samples to refer to when you get home.

Come and make a pair of knickers. learn how to choose suitable fabric; sew stretch seams on a sewing machine and attach elastic. A fun and informative workshop with a finished product to take home too!

Learn how bras are constructed including drafting the patterns, sewing seams, attaching elastic, covering cups and inserting wires.  We will discuss sizing and fitting as well as choosing styles and materials.  This is a great workshop to get you started so you will learn what you need to know to make bras for yourself and friends.

Learn how to make Roman blinds on this short workshop. We will cover the arithmetic involved in calculating the positioning of the rods and make up a sample so that you can see how easy they are to construct. Notes are provided and these, along with your sample, will help when you get home, to make your own.

Frightened of sewing stretch fabric on your sewing machine? Come and make a pair of three-quarter length leggings and in the process, learn about handling stretchy fabric with ease. Fabric (navy or black) and materials provided. Once you see how easy it is, you'll want to make lots more at home.

Save the earth and save some money by coming along to this alterations workshop to learn how to alter and mend clothes.  We will discuss replacing zips, shortening trousers, and adjusting waists through a mixture of demonstrations and hands-on activities.