Where and When
Radio Room, Islesburgh Centre, Lerwick.
5 x Tuesday evenings, 7pm - 9:30pm.
14th April, 21st April, 28th April, 5th May, 19th May
About the Course
Design and make your own reversible waistcoat from a block at this five-week class for sewists wanting to learn new skills. Make it plain or patchwork, to fit men or women, with bows or without - it’s entirely up to you. You’ll finish the course with the perfect layering piece. Plus, it’s reversible - so two looks in one!
This course is designed for confident beginners or improving sewists. You will learn to use a block to draft your own simple pattern, adjusting the length, fit, neckline and fastenings. You’ll learn some simple quilting techniques, and how to finish your edges by hand with your own bias binding. You’ll come away with a totally bespoke garment, perfect to give as a gift or to keep for yourself.
What You’ll Learn
Lesson 1 - 14th April
Understanding patterns and blocks, making a pattern.
Lesson 2 - 21st April
Making a calico toile, cutting fabric and wadding, sewing with an interlining.
Lesson 3 - 28th April
Quilting in 3D.
Lesson 4 - 5th May
Making your own bias binding.
Lesson 5 - 19th May
Applying bias binding to finish raw edges.
PLEASE NOTE: On some weeks there may be homework! It is important that you make every effort to complete each stage in time for the next lesson - if not, you might not be able to move on with your project and might find you get left behind. Please note that there is a two-week gap between lessons 4 and 5, so that you have plenty of time to finish off your quilting at home before finishing off with bias binding in the final lesson.
What’s Included:
A block in your size
Tracing paper
Calico
Cotton wadding
Access to a Singer Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine
Access to an iron and ironing board
Access to pattern-drafting tools
Access to basic sewing tools: paper scissors, pins, needles, fabric shears, tailor’s chalk, measuring tape, unpicker
Tea/Coffee and some sweet treats
A follow-up email after each lesson to recap what was covered, and what to expect the following week.
What to Bring:
Pencil case and optional notebook/sketchbook
2 x 1m of each contrasting lightweight woven cotton fabrics**. Lawns, ginghams, quilting cottons or ankaras are the perfect choice for this. You may need more or less if your fabric has a one-way directional print, or if you want to pattern-match.
Matching thread - I’d recommend Coats or Gutterman for the best quality and choice of colours.
OPTIONAL: Bring your own basic sewing kit if you’d prefer to use your own. I’d recommend using your own cutting tools wherever possible.
Questions?
If you’d like to know more about any of our classes, feel free to get in touch.
*Please note that plenty of hand-stitching is required for the neatest and most professional finish on your waistcoat. By the end of the class on 19th May, you’ll have reached a point where you just need to do a bit of hand-sewing. How long this takes depends entirely on your pace of work and your design, so you’ll probably need to finish it off at home. But don’t worry - you’ll leave fully prepared with the skills you need to do it perfectly!
**A note on choosing fabric. Check your fabric width before buying anything. Your fabric must be at least 115cm wide, otherwise you won’t have enough. You could also consider using your own patchwork, or reclaimed fabrics for this, but please keep in mind that there won’t be time for you to make patchwork in class. If you need to do any prep, please do it at home before you come. If in doubt about your fabric, please bring it along for Week 1 to give me a chance to advise.
Where and When
Radio Room, Islesburgh Centre, Lerwick.
5 x Tuesday evenings, 7pm - 9:30pm.
14th April, 21st April, 28th April, 5th May, 19th May
About the Course
Design and make your own reversible waistcoat from a block at this five-week class for sewists wanting to learn new skills. Make it plain or patchwork, to fit men or women, with bows or without - it’s entirely up to you. You’ll finish the course with the perfect layering piece. Plus, it’s reversible - so two looks in one!
This course is designed for confident beginners or improving sewists. You will learn to use a block to draft your own simple pattern, adjusting the length, fit, neckline and fastenings. You’ll learn some simple quilting techniques, and how to finish your edges by hand with your own bias binding. You’ll come away with a totally bespoke garment, perfect to give as a gift or to keep for yourself.
What You’ll Learn
Lesson 1 - 14th April
Understanding patterns and blocks, making a pattern.
Lesson 2 - 21st April
Making a calico toile, cutting fabric and wadding, sewing with an interlining.
Lesson 3 - 28th April
Quilting in 3D.
Lesson 4 - 5th May
Making your own bias binding.
Lesson 5 - 19th May
Applying bias binding to finish raw edges.
PLEASE NOTE: On some weeks there may be homework! It is important that you make every effort to complete each stage in time for the next lesson - if not, you might not be able to move on with your project and might find you get left behind. Please note that there is a two-week gap between lessons 4 and 5, so that you have plenty of time to finish off your quilting at home before finishing off with bias binding in the final lesson.
What’s Included:
A block in your size
Tracing paper
Calico
Cotton wadding
Access to a Singer Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine
Access to an iron and ironing board
Access to pattern-drafting tools
Access to basic sewing tools: paper scissors, pins, needles, fabric shears, tailor’s chalk, measuring tape, unpicker
Tea/Coffee and some sweet treats
A follow-up email after each lesson to recap what was covered, and what to expect the following week.
What to Bring:
Pencil case and optional notebook/sketchbook
2 x 1m of each contrasting lightweight woven cotton fabrics**. Lawns, ginghams, quilting cottons or ankaras are the perfect choice for this. You may need more or less if your fabric has a one-way directional print, or if you want to pattern-match.
Matching thread - I’d recommend Coats or Gutterman for the best quality and choice of colours.
OPTIONAL: Bring your own basic sewing kit if you’d prefer to use your own. I’d recommend using your own cutting tools wherever possible.
Questions?
If you’d like to know more about any of our classes, feel free to get in touch.
*Please note that plenty of hand-stitching is required for the neatest and most professional finish on your waistcoat. By the end of the class on 19th May, you’ll have reached a point where you just need to do a bit of hand-sewing. How long this takes depends entirely on your pace of work and your design, so you’ll probably need to finish it off at home. But don’t worry - you’ll leave fully prepared with the skills you need to do it perfectly!
**A note on choosing fabric. Check your fabric width before buying anything. Your fabric must be at least 115cm wide, otherwise you won’t have enough. You could also consider using your own patchwork, or reclaimed fabrics for this, but please keep in mind that there won’t be time for you to make patchwork in class. If you need to do any prep, please do it at home before you come. If in doubt about your fabric, please bring it along for Week 1 to give me a chance to advise.
