Sewing & Creative Classes
Join us in our happy light-filled studio to learn the basics of sewing. Everyone has the ability to learn the art of sewing & to be creative, you just need to be shown how & then the possibilities are endless!
3 lesson (9 hours) Learn to Sew courses.
Learn to sew, using a sewing machine, from the very beginning - no experience necessary, this one is for the absolute beginner or if you haven't sewn since Home Ec many moons ago & would like to brush up on your skills.
+ Learn the parts of the machine & what they do.
+ How to load your bobbin & thread your machine, trouble shooting problems along the way.
+ Learn essential techniques including: feeding & guiding fabric, straight stitching, back stitching, basting, pivoting, zig-zag stitching, applique & sewing seam allowances.
+ Hemming & finishing with a zig-zag stitch.
+ Pressing & getting professional results.
+ Pattern placement, what the markings on a pattern mean.
+ Pinning pattern pieces & cutting out.
+ Fabric anatomy & how it relates to pattern pieces
+ Learn how to insert a zipper & lining, button holes & button sewing
Workshop One: Make a shopping bag
Workshop Two: Make a lined zippy pouch
Workshop Three: Make a cushion cover
+ Classes limited to 4 participants to get the most out of your course.
+ Children aged 8+ welcome if accompanied by an adult.
+ A list of what to bring is included on the booking page.
Hand Stitching Workshops
Come and learn the art of slow stitching; a beautiful meditative process that can be taken with you anywhere to create new items from recycled fabrics or clothing. All you need is a needle, thread & your scraps of fabric, no sewing machine necessary! Please be warned though, this is addictive! I'm not even joking.
We have a variety of different hand-stitching workshops:
+ Learn basic embroidery stitches by making a gorgeous sampler.
+ Learn how to make a cute zippy pouch without using a sewing machine.
+ Stir & Stitches most popular workshop, making a hand-stitched journal cover.
+ Children aged 8+ welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Kids Sewing Classes
4-week Sewing Courses
Youth - Primary kids from age 8 - Thursdays 330pm to 530pm
Teen - High school kids - Thursdays 630 to 830pm
Over the 4 weeks the kids will work on a variety of projects including making their own personalised bag & cushion cover.
When I was a child, I was lucky enough to have a Mum who was a sewer and a Nan who fully embraced my obsession with creativity. Both of them gave me the gift of sewing and crochet and by the time I hit Year 6 I was a fully fledged wannabe entrepreneur selling crocheted bookworms to my class mates & making my own clothes. THEN high school hit & Home Ec was a big deal for me; I loved that subject and to be honest, that and art were the only ones I excelled at. I had awesome teachers and to this day my Home Ec teacher is my mentor and one of my dearest friends.
I honestly cannot wait to give the same gift to your child/teen. My classes will be both informative and fun and will hopefully develop the skills and love for sewing that I have. It has become a bit of a lost art and I really hope I can help fill that gap in our little town.
So what will be on offer?
+ 4-week courses where your child will learn how to use a sewing machine & do basic hand stitching.
+ One-off classes where they will further develop their skills to be able to make anything they put their mind too.
Why should they learn how to sew?
+ They will get to explore their creativity in a different way leading to huge feelings of pride and accomplishment.
+ Fast fashion has become a massive problem and learning how to sew and mend our clothing or furnishings is the way for our sustainable future.
+ It is a perfect hobby to take anywhere. All you need is a bit of fabric, a needle and thread! It is especially inexpensive if you are sewing with old clothing and linen.
+ Sewing develops maths skills (I will be honest, I am still a little dodgy on this and wing it A LOT, not that there is anything wrong with that! See next point!).
+ Sewing develops critical thinking and problem solving skills and fine motor skills too.
+ Receiving a handmade gift is honestly one of the best and most meaningful things EVER!
+ Don't forget boys should learn how to sew too, I always think it is the coolest thing when I meet a guy who is handy with a needle and thread!
So if you think this is something that your child/teen might enjoy just click here and I'll see them in class.
Amanda x