Sewing

If you have ever wondered about the difference between patchwork and quilts, or how quilts are made and fancied having a go, then this introductory course is for you! We will take you through each step of patchwork and quilt making. You will learn how to cut squares of fabric with a rotary cutter, how to fit and sew them together to make a patchwork top (and how important an iron is in quilt making!). You will then add wadding and backing fabric to your patchwork top, and use a sewing machine to learn some basic quilting. You will then finish your mini quilt with a border. 

All materials, equipment and sewing machines are provided for your use as well as plentiful tea and coffee.

Our friendly and fun patchwork group meets every Wednesday afternoon in 10 week blocks.
All abilities are welcome as you can work on your own quilting project, at your own pace with tuition and guidance from Katharine. Projects that have been completed in the past include Bargello, Scrappy, Medallion, Applique and Art Quilts as well as traditional pieced quilts and wall hangings. We are always happy to advise and assist on quilt patterns and fabric choices. Indeed, members of this group get 10% off all fabrics for the duration of the course.

 
What’s Included: Use of our sewing machines and tools, thread, tea/coffee.

What to Bring: Your patchwork project.

Are you ready for 2 days of stupendous sewing fun?! Choose a quilt pattern from Living in Loveliness' wonderful range; learn to cut and piece the block and practice your quilting technique with fantastic tuition from Kerrie.

Day 1: Arrive from 9.30, ready to start sewing at 10am. Sew until 4pm with a break for a light lunch. Check into the hotel and have a rest and change before joining the group for a meal out in Market Harborough (and cocktails afterwards if you wish)!

Day 2: The Craft Centre will be open from 9am for pastries, coffee and tea. Sewing proper begins from 10am, again with a break for lunch. Finish by 4pm to beat the traffic home.

What's Included: Pattern, tuition, use of sewing machines and tools, meals, 1 night's accommodation in Travelodge (central to Market Harborough). Please note: extra days of accommodation can be arranged, or no accommodation if you live locally. 

What's Not Included: Alcoholic Drinks, Fabric

THE FULL PRICE OF THE 2 DAY RETREAT IS £375.

Book your space below with a £50 deposit and we will be in touch to get all the necessary information and organise a payment plan with you.

A weekly patchwork course, aimed at Beginners, where we work together on the same quilt, learning techniques and skills as we go.

Our New Year project will be The Harrison Quilt, taught by its designer, Hannah Harrison.

You will need 12 Fat Quarters and 3/4m of solid fabric for the top of the quilt, plus wadding and backing fabric. Any materials purchased from our shop for the quilt will receive 10% off.

Learn the technique of applique and create a design on a cushion cover.

All materials are included.

Caroline has designed a beautiful traditional Japanese sashiko project based on their famous cherry blossom to stitch in this workshop. 

Come and learn how to stitch sashiko in our relaxed and friendly class and you will make a fabric piece that you can use as a furoshiki wrapping cloth, napkin or table decoration.

     All photos (c) Caroline Barley

We are delighted to be offering a 2 Day Bag Retreat Workshop this Autumn!

Spend 2 days immersed in sewing at the Craft Centre as you make the Noodlehead Making Backpack under Hannah's expert tuition.  

The Backpack is a sturdy bag with internal and external pockets, grab handles and adjustable shoulder straps.

What is included in the price?

All tuition and your bag pattern.
Use of our sewing machines, tools and facilities for 2 days.
Lunch is included on both days as well as plentiful tea, coffee and biscuits.

What is not included?

Your fabric, interfacings and hardware required for the bag. 
However. we will offer you a choice of full kits or hardware kits only at a discounted price; or you can bring your own supplies.
Overnight accommodation. If you would like to stay overnight in Market Harborough, do please contact us and we can assist you with your hotel booking.

A three week course for anyone who wants to learn to sew! We'll complete a project a week, developing and building your skills as you go.

You don't need your own sewing machine as we have 8 modern Brother machines, but you can bring your own if you want to get to grips with it a little more.

All materials are included in the price of the course. You'll learn how to set up your machine, pin, cut out and construct projects learning a host of new skills along the way.

In the Craft Centre we can build a snowman, with multicoloured buttons for his eyes! Add a Free Motion hat and raw edge applique to Mr Snowman until he starts to come to life!

Join us to make a Christmas inspired Snowman or Gonk and hone your free motion quilting skills, whilst having a fun day of sewing chat.

The cost of the day includes tuition, pattern, the use of all our sewing machines and tools so you don't need to lug your equipment along, plentiful tea & coffee and a light lunch (pastry tart & salads plus fruit and cake platter).

It does not include materials, but you will be provided with a materials list in advance so you can bring from your stash, or you can purchase from our shop on the day with a 10% discount.

What better chance to spend the day with not one, but two Sewing Street Guest Demonstrators, because Katharine will be there too, making the tea, threading up the sewing machines and chit-chatting. Have a fabulous fun-filled day!

*please note this retreat will only run with a minimum of 6 attendees.

A three week patchwork course where we will make a Christmas themed decorative project using pieced patchwork and quilting techniques.

All materials are provided for this class.

A general sewing session for any ability - just bring along your project and we'll help you out.

Mums can enjoy a couple of hours escape from the children; teenagers are welcome to attend too.

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN PROJECT WITH YOU.

Back by popular demand, some of Hannah's favourite bag makes - perfect for those of you new to bag-making, or if you missed it first time around!

The cost of the course includes tuition and pattern. 

We will offer you the choice of a full kit which includes fabric, interfacings and hardware at a 10% discount on the full price if bought separately OR an interfacings/hardware kit only and you provide your own outer fabric. Or you can opt to bring all your own materials. If you purchase our kit, then we will cut out your pieces ready to sew.

Friday 26th Jan 2024 - Hannah's Popular Tweed Bag 

Fridy 8th March 2024 - Compass Bag by Noodlehead Patterns (photo below)

Hannah's found lots of lovely projects for you to come and learn to make! There's lots of different skills to try - patchwork, quilting, applique and more - it's a great way to learn something new with these quick and easy makes.

Our next make is a cute pencil case that fastens on to your notebook.

What a great way to start the New Year learning all the tips and tricks of free motion and making Living in Loveliness’ Happy Heart Cushion. Kerrie will be joining us again for a day of learning, sewing, chat and fun.

The cost of the day includes tuition, pattern, the use of all our sewing machines and tools so you don't need to lug your equipment along, plentiful tea & coffee and a light lunch. It doesn’t include fabric, but you will be sent a materials list and the option of purchasing fabric from us.

 For those who have never used a machine before, or have not done so for a long time – come and learn the basics to give you the confidence to get going. You will learn to wind your bobbin, thread your machine, and then use your machine to make a simple lined tote bag. All materials are included in the cost of the workshop.

We have eight lovely modern Brother sewing machines for you to learn on, but if you have a sewing machine at home that you wish to get to grips with, please bring it with you for this class and we will show you how get started. Please also bring the instruction manual as each machine is different and understanding how to use your instruction manual really helps when you are sewing solo!

Thinking of buying a sewing machine? We have a range of Brother Sewing Machines in store for you to try. Click here to find out more.

Learn how to make a keepsake memory bear - a one-of-a-kind teddy bear made from clothes or fabric that is of sentimental value, or has special memories.

The price of the course includes a pattern supplied by Memory Bear Expert, Sandi Millichip-Massocchi as well as the fleece, interfacing and stuffing required.

You are welcome to bring fabric of your choice to make the bear from, but we would recommend that you use scrap fabrics for your first bear, and save your most sentimental pieces for a second bear when you have learnt the techniques.

A short four week patchwork course helping you to use up all your fabric bits and pieces in a fabulous stashbusting project! 

Bring any fabric pieces of your choice and join in making our project!

We are so delighted that Caroline is joining us regularly in 2024 to tutor our hand stitching workshops on an almost bi-monthly basis!

In this workshop, join Caroline to create a traditional hitomezashi sashiko-embellished pin cushion. Use new fabric and embroidery thread combined with a vintage wooden pot, sustainably sourced especially for the class. Each will be unique! Have fun with seasonal or traditional colour combinations and patterns. Learn a little about Japanese culture, seasonal influences and hear about Caroline's experiences of living in Japan and learning from skilled craftspeople. 

We can offer you a hour's 1:1 session to help you get started with your sewing machine, overlocker or if you're stuck on a project and need some extra help.

Think you need more time? Call us on 01858 466692 to discuss your requirements.

In this workshop, you will learn how to make a fabric make-up bag with a clasp fastening.

This is a lovely project that is perfect for those who have never made a bag before. You will have great fun rifling through our extensive collection of fabric to choose two designs for the outside of the bag, and a third design for the bag lining. You will learn how to sew the bag on a sewing machine, how to give structure to the bag and how to attach a clasp fastening. 

All material choices, wadding, the clasp fastening and the pattern pieces are included in the price. You will leave with a finished, beautifully-made make-up bag.

This is a great introduction to working with leather using just a domestic sewing machine. 

In this workshop, you will learn about the quirks and joys of working with leather and will make a fabulous tote bag with grab handles and an interior pocket. You will be taught how to use a sewing machine to sew leather effectively and move on to using top stitiching on the interior pocket. You will  also learn how to attach handles to the bag using rivets.

We provide all the materials needed and have eight wonderful Brother sewing machines to work on. This workshop is ideal for those who have some sewing experience.