"Just wanted to say thank you for the workshop yesterday. We really enjoyed ourselves and the leggings fit well and look great. We both felt welcomed and very safe in the studio with all your Covid precautions." Judith (August 2020)
All machines, equipment, materials and notes are provided (unless otherwise stated)
A light lunch is included on full day workshops
A maximum of six students on most workshops
Please phone or e-mail to check if places are available
Payment secures your place and must be paid in advance
For more information contact Lorna
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We will be in the Memorial Hall for the Ipstones Show again this year and we hope you’ll come along and say hello. This traditional Agricultural Show has something for everyone with animals, crafts, competitions and stalls with local crafts and organisations. More details Ipstones Show 2024
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)
As part of Leek Textile Week, I will be running a hand stitching workshop on the subject of ‘The Leek Embroidery Society’. You’ll learn a bit of local history and get a chance to try out the stitches which create these amazing designs. You’ll find tickets and details for this class here: Leek Embroidery Society workshop
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!
You may have a new sewing machine or you'd just like to learn how to get more from the one you've had for ages. This workshop will help you to understand how to adjust settings to achieve the stitches you need and offer solutions to some common problems.
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.
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.
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.
These flowers are made in the hoop then carefully trimmed and finished with beads. During the session make some flowers to make into brooches, decorate bags, shoes, clothes or hair accessories. There will be a choice of fabrics and colours. I look forward to seeing everyone’s creativity.
This half day workshop explains how to make traditional, lined curtains in the most straightforward way. You will make a mini curtain sample and learn about measuring, cutting and how to choose heading tapes.
Make more of these amazing machines and learn to use their numerous features. Please contact Lorna for more details and if you are interested. 07970 345628 or email info@lornaknight.com
Make more of these amazing machines and learn to use their numerous features. Please contact Lorna for more details and if you are interested. 07970 345628 or email info@lornaknight.com
Join us on a short overlocking workshop if you are visiting the show.
Tickets and details here: Knitting & Stitching Show
Come and make a cushion for yourself or to give as a gift. Try some block printing, decorative stitching, applique and patchwork to discover how easy it is to be creative. Materials and cushion insert included in the fee.
A chance to sew your own thing with like-minded people and have help on hand when and if you need it. Choose a special dressmaking project or perhaps you'll decide to make some gifts for Christmas. Suitable for beginners or more experienced.
Katy will be with us from Baby Lock to demonstrate these wonderful overlockers and cover stitch machines. Special offers on the day.
Come and make a pretty fabric bowl from hexagons and jewels from Jennie's Material Magic book. You'll take a free copy of Jennie's book home (£9.95) so you can make lots more later.
Come and make a machine embroidered snowflake to decorate your tree this Christmas.
If you’ve always wanted to try patchwork and quilting this is your chance to have a go. Learn to piece the pre-cut shapes then quilt and bind your Christmas-themed 12” mat.
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.
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).
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)
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 sleeve and sleeve wrap.
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.
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)
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.
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)
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 workshop informs you how to combine fabrics, linings and interlinings for the very best results. Eliminate limp bodices, floppy collars, heavy hems, seam ridges, see-through dresses, seating and creasing. You will compile a picture dictionary with fabric swatches and samples to take home and refer to.
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.
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.
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. (light lunch provided)
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.
