89 Courses

Half day sewing workshop - creating leggings using stretch fabric and an overlocker or sewing machine.

Discover creative bliss at Loopy's Place in Sheffield, UK. Join our social crafting sessions—sew, knit, or crochet together. Bring your projects, enjoy refreshments, and browse our fabulous fabrics!

The Stitchery Frome - Learn to sew in a small group Make a new project each week

Learn the basics of using a sewing machine in this six week course

If you want to bag-make with genuine leather but are nervous of trying it, this weekend is ideal for you. It will give you the confidence to make your own leather bags at home and you’ll make some fab friends along the way! VERY IMPORTANT! Before booking, please check that your machine can cope with sewing at least 6 layers of faux leather or vinyl. Flat sewing is fine – if the machine can do that, we can manage lumps and bumps!   **This retreat is a little different from many others in that making a bag isn’t the point of the weekend, although you will indeed make one. The focus is on learning new transferable techniques and skills that you will be able to use on so many bags you make in the future. We have our own ‘Retreat Suite’ of rooms, including a spacious, light and airy sewing room which is equipped with a display screen so everyone can easily see demonstrations from a working viewpoint. We also have our own bathroom and kitchen facilities. If you wish, you are free to continue work after dinner and until as late (or early!) as you like. You will need to bring your own sewing machine, fabric scissors and any other favourite sewing tools, but everything else is provided. We’ll have a good selection of fabrics, vinyls and leather for you to browse and purchase if you wish, at retreat-only prices.  Come and join us in the exclusive Facebook group Bag Makers Retreat at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bagmakersretreat/ for all the latest retreat info, chat, gossip and more, plus a chance to meet other like-minded folks.  If you have dietary requirements, please tell me before you book, so I can be sure we can meet your needs. All meal main courses are included in the retreat fee, as are Saturday and Sunday lunches and breakfasts. Starters, desserts and drinks with meals are not included but the meals are so huge you probably won’t want starters and desserts anyway!! Tea and coffee is available whenever you need, but you do have to make it yourself!  If you’d like to stay an extra night or two, maybe to arrive on Thursday or leave on Monday if you have a long drive, let me know and I’ll check availability with our host. If you’d prefer to travel by train, we are happy to ferry you to and from the station, just ask. Please aim to arrive no later than 2pm as we have a lot of pattern cutting and fabric choosing to get through on Friday! Friday The fun starts here as you arrive at your weekend home-from-home – a beautifully refurbished, 4-star 18th century coaching inn with all the comforts you would expect. You’ll have time to settle into your own delightfully comfortable en-suite room which has all the anticipated little luxuries,  before an introductory get-together with me and your companions in the sewing room at 2pm. You’ll be given your own copy of the bag pattern, which is very beginner- and strong domestic machine-friendly (see note in bold at the top of the page), but which will incorporate a lot of features and techniques that are also in much more complex designs, making this an excellent springboard to any leather or other bag you want to make. Then you can wallow in the plentiful stash of leathers and fabrics to choose from.  All the leather, fabrics, interfacing, stabiliser, threads and bag hardware you need are supplied. As soon as you’re ready, you can start preparing and cutting out your pattern and some of the bag pieces so we can hit the ground running in the morning. After a superbly-cooked and substantial evening meal at around 6pm or so, you are welcome to continue working in the sewing room or to simply relax and chat there before bed. Saturday After an excellent breakfast, we can really start work learning some new skills and beginning work on construction. You’ll work at your own pace from around 9am with no pressure – I want your weekend to be fun and not stressful! We will walk through the techniques together and I will be there the whole time to answer questions and troubleshoot any tricky bits. You’ll also have the chance to try sewing with faux leather , if you haven’t already, and we’ll explore ways and techniques to use and apply rivets.  Refreshments are freely available all day and you can take a break whenever you wish. A light lunch (with homemade cake!!) is also provided and we’ll have a short break in the middle of the day. The rest of the day will be similar to Friday – sewing, dinner at 6ish and more sewing if you wish to before bed. Do feel free to have a walk or just sit outside for a breather if the weather is kind. Sunday How can it be Sunday already?? Breakfast over, we’ll get back to work. You will need to allow a few minutes to pack and check out of your room, as it has to be made ready for Monday’s guests. Apart from that, it’s uninterrupted sewing (with refreshments and lunch breaks!) until your bag is finished. We’ll be heading off for a lightish lunch at 12.30pm or so. We have the sewing room for the rest of the day.  If you don’t quite get done, there’s absolutely no need to worry as you’ll easily be able to complete your bag at home. If you finish earlier feel free to head home whenever you’re ready. Amongst loads of other hints and tips, you’ll learn  – * Choosing and handling leather * How to make professional quality rolled handles * Creating and applying custom bag feet * How to create a zipped pocket the pro way * How to use edge paint and get a professional finish with it * Sewing the bag together and topstitching * Reducing bulk with leather * A sneaky way of getting your bag right-sides-out without ugly seams! * An easy way to add a zipper pull without tools * Working with different types of rivet machine and loads more. You’ll have an exclusive pattern, created just for the Retreats, which includes comprehensive mini-tutorials and full instructions. And I hope you have a lot of fun and make new friends while you learn!!  I never abandon my students at the end of the course so if you get stuck on anything at home, you are welcome to give me a shout on Messenger and we’ll sort out your problem together. The not-so-small print Book your place using the simple booking system below – just click on your choice of dates and go from there. The full price is £465.00. The deposit of £65 is non-refundable if you cancel but can, however, be credited towards a future retreat booked within the next 6 months. It is completely refundable if I or the venue cancel. The booking page only shows the Friday, but the course is running until Sunday. The balance of £400.00 is payable by approx 6 weeks before the retreat date and payment instructions will be sent to you in good time. Cancellations 4 weeks or less before the retreat date can only be refunded if someone on the waiting list can come instead. If you book, pay and attend without pre-checking that your machine can sew the required thicknesses, as detailed in the note at the top of the page, I’m afraid no refunds will be given if it proves that your machine can’t cope during the Retreat. I may have a machine available to lend, but can’t promise one. *Don’t worry that your booking confirmation may be headed Unicorn Studios –  it’s just the site that I’ve run my booking system from for years… it’s not a scam!! *

A sewing workshop to create an easy fitting tunic top or dress which has a couple of different style options. Full help is on hand to understand the pattern, cut out and assemble your dress.

Learn how to confidently remove the feed dog plate, the hook mechanism and the needle drive cover so that you can effectively cleanand oil your machine between services.

Learn how to care for your sewing machine.

Get ready to learn how to make your own tote bag. A fun and easy project for beginners. Book your spot today -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn to make a tote bag - a reusable & eco-friendly bag Join us for a fun and interactive in-person event where you can learn to make your own stylish tote bag! Whether you're a beginner or have some sewing experience, this event is perfect for anyone looking to unleash their creativity and learn a new skill. During this event, our experienced instructors will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a beautiful tote bag. You'll learn essential sewing techniques, such as measuring, cutting, stitching, and finishing. Relax and enjoy the process of creating something beautiful with your own hands You will also get: - Fabric to make your bag and all other necessary materials and equipment - Expert guidance and tips from your workshop host - Email support for the next 3 months What you need to bring: - Your own sewing machine with its power cable Please make sure the machine works and has been recently serviced. Please bring along the manual and all the accessories that came with it including spare bobbins and the bobbin case if applicable. Don't worry if you don't have a sewing machine, as we have machines you can borrow. - Threads and a sewing kit (you can buy one from us if you want) - Notepad and pen The workshop is limited to 6 people per session. If you want a private group session, please message us with your booking. Note: You need to know how to thread and use your machine. We offer an introduction to sewing machine workshop too, if you wanted to get to grips with your machine. You will receive a confirmation email after booking from our website. Please provide your phone number so we can message you in case of emergencies. Whether you want to make a personalized gift for a loved one or simply want to expand your crafting skills, this event is a fantastic opportunity to have fun and meet like-minded individuals. So, grab your friends and join us for a creative and enjoyable day of sewing! Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot now and get ready to embark on a sewing adventure! Note: If less than 3 participants have booked on this workshop, we will reschedule the workshop for a more convenient date or a different location. Priority will be given to existing paid participants first who have the option to confirm or cancel within 7 days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the age range for the workshop? This workshop is suitable for adults and kids. What should I bring with me to the workshop? Bring your own sewing machine with it’s power cable if you are not borrowing from us. The manual and all the accessories the machine came with Bobbin, bobbin case if applicable Threads and a full sewing kit. You can purchase one from us Notepad and pen How many participants will attend this workshop? There will be a maximum of 6 participants at this workshop. Small groups work best as everyone gets a chance to learn and ask questions. Please note: The workshop would be rescheduled if there are less than 3 participants booked for the date. Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Unfortunately, this venue isn't wheelchair accessible. There are 2 short sets of stairs to get to the room. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you want further info or any specific needs or concerns. I will do my best to accommodate you. What is the cancellation and refund policy for the workshop series? Cancellation notice period: Refunds: 28 days or more before the course start date - Full refund minus the fees15-27 days before the course start date - 50% refund minus the fees 14 days or less before the course start date We will try & fill the space. If we fill it, full refund minus fees.

Get to know your sewing machine and make projects to practise basic sewing skills including French seams, top stitching, zips and buttonholes