Tutor Mel Forrest

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Level - Complete beginners

Sundays 10.30am - 4.30pm (over 2 days) with a break for lunch

An ideal course for new sewers keen to make their first patchwork quilt, featuring the traditional snowball block. Your finished quilt will be 95cm square (a really manageable size for beginners) and will make a great wall hanging or lap quilt or play mat. You can choose whatever style of fabrics you like to sew with: children’s, traditional or contemporary.

Students should know how to use a sewing machine before signing up (i.e. straight stitching with an even tension). We will teach you the rest! If you need to brush up your machine skills, why not sign up for Getting to Know my Sewing Machine first. We hear most days in the shop “Oh, I’d love to be able to do that.” Well, sign up for this workshop and you’ll be a quilter in no time!

This class is taught over two days and will cover:
Day 1: How to use a rotary cutter to prepare your fabrics, how to sew 1/4-in seams accurately, plus tips and tricks for perfect point-matching.
Day 2: How to sandwich and baste your finished top ready for quilting, different thread options and techniques for hand-quilting and how to bind your quilt like a pro.

Students may need to do some sewing between the sessions, but you have the great prospect of a finished quilt after 2 Sunday workshops! Machine and Hand sewn.

Materials and equipment required:

Sewing machine. Make sure beforehand that it works and you know how to thread it, wind the bobbin etc. Don’t forget the straight stitching / 1/4-in foot, lead and foot pedal! Please - if you haven’t used your machine for some time, or you are borrowing a machine - do take time to try it out before the class. Alternatively you can hire a machine subject to availability (just add to your basket with your workshop booking).

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

Rotary cutter, cutting board and 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.

Day 1:

A minimum of 6 fat quarters (50x56cm) or 7 long quarters (25x112cm) in your choice of patterned quilting cottons

50cm of quilting cotton for the contrasting squares (a plain or a tonal print is a good idea)

Matching cotton or sew-all thread or a neutral such as grey or cream

A sharp pencil and small ruler will also be useful

Day 2:

1.10m of quilting cotton for the backing (115cm wide)

1.10m of 115cm / 45-in wide wadding

Tacking thread or curved safety pins to baste

Thread for quilting (Mel will cover options available)

40cm of quilting cotton for the binding

It is advisable to buy your fabrics before the first class to make the best use of workshop time. However, if there is anything you are missing, students can buy from the shop during each class.

Refreshments will be provided at each workshop. There will be a break for lunch. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch, or there are a wide variety of coffee shops, tea rooms, delis and restaurants in the high street to choose from.

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