Sewing for Beginners
In our Sewing for beginners course you will learn how to thread and operate a sewing machine, selecting the correct stitch for each technique undertaken and complete a simple project using your newly acquired skills. You will have the choice of four projects ranging from easy peasy to more challenging as follows:
- Making a fully lined and structured tote style shopper with lined pocket.
- Making a full-length cookery apron featuring frilled hem, curved clean finish seams, darts and faced edges.
- Making a quilted apron to hold all your sewing equipment, featuring three pockets, a fitted waistband, covered buttons and machine worked buttonholes.
- Make a lined six pocket tote bag
This workshop is repeated each month so if you’re spoiled for choice you can choose another next time to round out your sewing skills! All materials supplied.
Pattern Fitting Workshop
Full bust alterations a speciality!
Full busted and struggling to make the pattern work for you? Being a ‘GG’ fitting myself, I have first hand experience of the problems this can cause and will guide you through the steps needed, including which pattern size to work with, based on your chest to bust ratio.
You will be taught how to add extra to the bust measurement, without compromising the fit around the neck and armholes.
Bring along a pattern to the pattern fitting workshop for a blouse, top, skirt, dress or jacket. You will learn how to alter the pattern to your personal fit, following step by step guide lines. You will then proceed to make a calico toile (test garment) to check and fine tune the fit.
Janet has fitted hundreds of students using this method. Satisfaction guaranteed in this highly practical workshop. Advice on choice of pattern size and a list of requirements will be provided on booking.
No need to bring your machine as quality Janome sewing machines are provided.
Basic Overlocking Techniques
You will learn how to master threading and tension difficulties with confidence; how to work with both woven and stretch fabrics, as well as mastering corners and curves.
Standard overlock, roll hems, narrow hems, picot edging will all be covered as well as practical assembly techniques including elastic insertion and gathering.
A course not to be missed!
Designed especially for those new to overlocking, dealing specifically with the problem areas of frustration-free threading, mastering tensions and featuring practical applications.
Topics covered include:
- time-saving construction techniques
- neckline facings
- “speedy” collar and cuff methods
- applying elastic
- even zip applications!
Make it Your Own Day
Absolutely what ever you want! Tailor the day to suit your requirements, whatever your skill level.Popular choices
Pattern fitting advice is a popular choice, where you will be taught how to alter your pattern pieces to your individual shape, an absolute must in achieving the optimum effect.
Need help putting the pieces together? Garment construction with a professional approach is what Janet will guide you through, teaching simple methods and time saving trade secrets to a professional finish.
If you’re struggling with your overlocker you can cover the basics of threading, mastering tensions and practical techniques to take the fear away!
Even cushions, curtains and bag making can be covered on this day dealing with zip applications and piping details as required
Overlocker Garment Construction
You will learn how to stabilise seams and how to adjust the differential feed for differing degrees of stretch in fabric.
You will be given step by step instruction to show you how to construct and insert neck bands, welts and cuffs to garments.
Setting in sleeves the professional way, without puckers is also on the menu, using the flat insertion method.
You will learn how to assemble a child size sleeved top.
The afternoon session will focus on assembling a pair of joggers. You will learn the correct order of assembly to avoid unnecessary complications. Also how to stabilise pocket areas prior to side pocket application.
You’ll learn the quarter marking technique in preparation for attaching elastic to the waistband, along with the actual application of the elastic to ensure even distribution. All fabrics supplied.
Be Creative with Your Overlocker
This workshop will focus on garment construction using woven fabrics. It will also allow you to broaden your overlocking skills as you discover the creative elements of working with your overlocker, using decorative threads and yarns.
Topics will include flatlocking, ribbon flatlocking, roll hem pin-tucking, lace insertion, and lace inserted neck binding. Garment assembly will cover sleeve insertion, gathering and decorative hem finishes. You will assemble a child’s dress during the day. All techniques will be produced with your overlocker. The only machine stitching will be the buttonholes! All materials included in the fee.
