Tutor: Marion Haslam

Tuesday 28 May - 25 June (5 weeks) 2.00-4.30pm

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

This 5-week course is perfect for stitchers wanting to make their first patchwork quilt as Marion leads you through the entire quiltmaking process. There’s no magic (or snakes!) involved but you’ll learn a lot and have fun at the same time. Your quilt is ideal as a wall quilt, sofa throw or knee / baby quilt. Machine and hand sewing involved.

The workshops cover choosing fabrics and using colours; preparing and sewing your patches accurately; block layout and sashing. You’ll learn how to use a rotary cutter and the different types of wadding and threads for your hand quilting. We’ll discuss options of hand quilting patterns. Finally, you’ll learn how to bind your quilt to give a professional finishing touch.

The size of the quilt (approximately 87 x 115cm / 34 x 45-in) ensures that you’ll soon achieve the satisfaction of a finished quilt 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 workshops.

Please note that this is a fun, yet comprehensive course. As you’ll be learning new techniques each week, it’s important to attend all the afternoon sessions.

Students must know how to use a sewing machine before signing up for this course. It is an ideal follow-on course to students who have come to our Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine workshop.

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 straight stitch with an even tension. Remember the foot pedal, a straight sewing or ¼in foot, spare bobbin, instruction booklet etc. If you haven’t used your machine for some time or you’re borrowing a machine from a friend - do take time to try it out before the first class. Sewing machines ca be hired, subject to availability. add to your basket if needed.

• Basic sewing kit containing sharp fabric scissors, pencil, 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.

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

• A Charm pack or a Sweet Treat pack of patterned 100% cotton fabric with at least 42 5x5-in squares. Florals, spots, geometrics or stripes, batiks are all fine in traditional or modern prints.

• 1 metre of a coordinating/contrasting plain, tonal, textured or low volume fabric (112cm wide). Do ask if you need us to explain these terms before buying!

• For the 3rd class. Note we will discuss all the options before you choose and buy. 1.3 metres wadding; 1.3 metres of patterned backing fabric* (NB if making a wall quilt*, you’ll need 1.4m of the backing fabric); quilting thread to coordinate with your fabrics; 40cm fabric for binding.

It’s advisable to buy your Charm Pack / Sweet Treat and coordinating fabric before the first class to make the best use of the workshop time. (Items for the later classes are not needed for the first session). However, if there is anything you’re missing, you can buy charm packs, fabrics, haberdashery, threads etc 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 note we do not send out reminders to students before workshops as all the information you need is here! For parking info, please look at our Visit Us page.