Sundays 28 June and 12 July

Tutor: Mel Forrest

10.30am - 4.30pm (each day) with a break for lunch

Level: complete beginners (max 6 students)

An ideal course for new sewers keen to make their first patchwork quilt. It features the traditional snowball block and your finished quilt will be approximately 95cm (37-in) square. This is a really manageable size for beginners and makes a great wall hanging, lap quilt or play mat. You can choose whatever style of fabrics you like to sew with: children’s, traditional or contemporary. We regularly benchmark our prices and have seen other similar beginners courses for £150-160.

Students should know how to use a sewing machine before signing up (i.e. straight stitching with an even tension). We’ll teach you the rest! 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 can!

Over the two days we cover:
Day 1: How to use a rotary cutter to prepare your fabrics for patchwork, how to sew 1/4-in seams accurately, plus tips and tricks for perfect point-matching as you sew.
Day 2: How to sandwich and tack your finished top ready for quilting, wadding choices, 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 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 stitch / 1/4-in foot, lead and foot pedal! If you haven’t used your machine for a while, or you’re borrowing a machine - do check it out before the class. Alternatively, hire a machine subject to availability

• 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 cotton fabric for the contrasting squares (a plain or a tonal print is best)

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

• Sharp pencil and small ruler will also be useful

  Day 2

• 1.1m cotton fabric for backing (115cm wide)

• 1.1m of 115cm / 45-in wide wadding

• Tacking thread or curved safety pins

• Thread for quilting (Mel will cover the options available)

• 40cm cotton fabric for binding

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

Refreshments are provided. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch, or there are a wide variety of coffee shops, tea rooms and delis in the high street.

If you have any questions, please phone us on 01634 838880 before booking. Please note we do not send out reminders before a class as all the info you need is here! For shop location and car park info, please look at our Visit Us page.

Please check dates carefully before booking as we do not offer refunds on workshops. For full booking terms, please read here.