BOOKING OPENS SUNDAY 15 JUNE

SUN 3 AUGUST 10.30-4.30pm with a break for lunch

Tutor: Mel Forrest

Level - confident beginner - 5 places

This is an ideal sewing project for new dressmakers who are already confident when using a sewing machine. Samara is an easy-breezy top that’s quick and simple to make. It has a modern, relaxed fit, with V neckline, drop shoulders, four sleeve styles, and two hemlines to choose from. Once you have made one Samara, you can consolidate your skills and get good value from the pattern by making one (or more) of the other versions!

This class is ideal for beginners to dressmaking. All students works at different speeds, so if you don’t finish the top during the class, don’t worry as you’ll be given the full details to complete your Samara at home. PS we’ve just seen another sewing shop offering a Samara workshop for £120 with a larger class size!

Light-to medium-weight fabrics such as cotton lawn, poplin, seersucker, double gauze or linen. Most of Hometown’s lightweight cotton or linen fabrics will be suitable for this project. See size chart for quantities.

Materials and equipment required:

• 112cm / 44-in wide cotton or linen fabric - sizes 6 to 22 require 1.8m - 2.3 depending on the style chosen (sizes 24 to 34 require 2.2 - 2.9m)

• or 140cm / 56-in wide cotton or linen fabric - sizes 6 to 16 require 1.5 - 2m depending on the style chosen (sizes 18 to 34 require 1.9 - 2.4m)

• 100m cotton / sew-all thread to match your fabric

• 40cm of iron-on interfacing (a similar weight to your fabric)

• 75cm of 20mm (3/4in) wide elastic for elasticated sleeve versions

• Sewing Machine, including straight sewing foot, spare bobbins. If you want to travel light, book one of our sewing machines (add to your basket with your booking)

• Basic sewing kit, including sharp fabric scissors/rotary cutter (as you prefer), fabric marking pen/pencil/chalk, pins and stitch ripper

• Fabric weights and thread snips (if you use them)

• Large paper scissors

We recommend that dressmaking fabrics are pre-washed prior to the class. If you need additional haberdashery, you’re able to purchase these in the shop.

This class is suitable for dressmakers who already know how to use a sewing machine and have some experience of garment sewing. The workshop fee includes your own copy of the Tilly and the Buttons paper pattern, so you can make more at home, when you can try the other sleeve options that the pattern offers. Please note that we will be using the standard sizes on the pattern and will not be covering pattern adjustments during the day. Machine sewn.

Refreshments are provided during the day with a break for lunch. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch, or there are a wide variety of tearooms and delis in the high street.

If you have any questions, please phone us on 01634 838880 before booking. Note: we do not send out reminder emails before a workshop, as all the information you need is here! For location and car parking info, please see our Contacts page.

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