Tutor: Marion Haslam

Level: complete beginners. Students must know how to use a sewing machine before signing up for this course.

Tuesday 3-24 June, 7.00-9.30pm (4 week course)

This is perfect for sewers wanting to make their first patchwork quilt as this course leads you through the entire process. Your quilt is ideal as a sofa throw/lap quilt, wall quilt or baby quilt. Machine and hand sewing involved. Obviously all are welcome on the course. So, if you’ve sewn quilts before, but would simply like to join a sociable sewing class, sign up now!

The four evening classes cover choosing fabrics and using colours; preparing and sewing your patches. You’ll learn how to use a rotary cutter and the different waddings for your hand quilting. Finally, you’ll learn how to bind your quilt for a professional finish. The simple bricks quilt design is based on a vintage shabby chic quilt from Marion’s collection, which she’s adapted for quick, modern sewing techniques. The quilt looks great in traditional prints, or bold, modern patterns and even solids and tonal fabrics.

The quilt size (approximately 98x115cm / 39x45-in) ensures that you’ll soon achieve the satisfaction of a finished project. By sewing at home between classes (if necessary), you can complete a quilt in a short time. This course also provides a good foundation for all our other quilt courses.

As you’ll be learning new techniques each week, it’s important to attend all the classes which are from 7.00-9.30pm. Maximum class size - 8 students.

Equipment and material needed for the classes:

• Sewing machine. Make sure beforehand that it works and you know how to thread it, wind the bobbin and do straight stitching with an even tension. Remember the foot pedal, a straight sewing or ¼in foot, spare bobbin, instruction booklet etc. We also have machines that you can hire, subject to availability. Please add to your booking if required.

• Basic sewing kit containing sharp fabric scissors, pencil, pins and a stitch ripper.

• Rotary cutter, A2/A3 cutting board and a quilt ruler at least 12-in long (if you have them). We also have some spares for you to share. As a student you’ll receive a discount if you buy rotary equipment before or during your course.

•  Cotton thread to coordinate with your fabrics or a neutral colour such as grey or cream.

•  6 fat eighths (25x56cm) or long quarters (25 x 112cm) in patterned 100% cotton quilting fabrics (best to avoid directional prints)

• 80cm coordinating solid / textured fabric 115cm wide (or you can work with a small background print) which contrasts with your patterns

• Note we will discuss all the options for the following in the 3rd class - 1.25m Wadding; 1.25m of patterned backing fabric; thread for quilting; 40cm fabric for binding. NB if making a wall quilt, you’ll need 1.5m of backing fabric.

It’s advisable to buy your fabrics before the first class to make the best use of the workshop time. (Items for the later classes are not needed for the first evening). However, you can buy fabrics, haberdashery, wadding, threads etc from the store during each class. All students receive Loyalty Card stamps on qualifying purchases.

Refreshments will be provided at each workshop.

If you have any questions, please phone us on 01634 838880 before booking.

Please check dates carefully before booking. For full booking terms, please read here.