26 Courses

Come and join Janine at Stitching Kitchen for a one day quilt top course learning how to make a disappearing nine patch quilt. This workshop will take place over one full day. It is suitable for total novices, taking you through everything you need to know to build confidence in quilt-making. If you are a more experienced quilter, you will enjoy learning a new technique that has so many creative possiblities, and you can benefit from Janine’s years of experience to pick up tips and tricks for a professional, polished quilt. Your tutor Janine also holds monthly long-arm clinics at Stitching Kitchen that you'd be welcome to drop into if you'd like any further pointers, or would like to outsource the quilt finishing to her! What you will learn/achieve 1. Understanding the Nine Patch Block Structure You will learn how to create a traditional 3x3 Nine Patch quilt block, focusing on color placement and fabric contrast to maximize visual interest after the transformation. 2. Cutting and Rearranging Techniques You will then practice the “disappearing” technique: cutting the finished Nine Patch into quarters and rearranging the sections to create a new, more complex-looking block. 3. Design Variations and Layout Possibilities Janine will encourage you to explore different layout options using the same block pieces, discovering how rotating and rearranging the quarter blocks can produce unique quilt top designs. 4. Precision Sewing and Pressing for Accurate Blocks The workshop will emphasise best practices for accurate piecing and pressing, which are crucial for achieving clean lines and proper alignment after cutting and reassembling the blocks. What's included Tuition: full instruction and support in a small class (maximum of 6). Written instructions that you can take away and refer back to at home. Use of all the tools you will need during the workshop. Use of the Pfaff and Janome sewing machines in Stitching Kitchen's fully equipped studio.  Tea and cake. What to bring Fabrics to make your disappearing nine patch blocks. We will send you a materials list, but just give us a call or drop in to the studio if you would like further advice, and we can also make suggestions about where to purchase quilting fabric. Stitching Kitchen has thread available to purchase. You won’t need to bring anything else and you can leave your sewing machine at home. Stitching Kitchen is fully equipped with Pfaff and Janome sewing machines and all the quilting tools and sewing kit for use during the workshop. Stitching Kitchen also stocks a full range of haberdashery, batting and quilting tools if you discover anything you would like to purchase to use at home. Please note that this workshop is held in our light and spacious first floor studio at Stitching Kitchen, which is accessible by stairs.  About your tutor Your tutor is Janine from TheFatQuarter Quilting https://thefatquarter.co.uk Having dabbled at patchwork and quilting when her children were babies, Janine moved on to develop a love for learning everything patchwork and quilting. In recent years she has owned a patchwork and quilting shop, living and breathing patchwork each day. Nowadays Janine is a professional Longarm Quilter and Patchwork Tutor with a love for sharing her wealth of experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Welcome to Refashion My Town’s upcycled Denim Design competition! Refashion My Town is a social enterprise based in Chippenham. Our mission is to help and encourage young people to make a positive social and environmental impact through fashion. Our goal is to highlight the impact that fast fashion has on the environment and while doing so, we aim to help young people reduce, reuse, refashion and mend more. And what better way to start is by participating and joining our Upcycled Denim Design Competition!  Why Denim? Denim has become an integral part of everyday life, but it wasn’t always like that. Denim was long known to be worn by working class individuals such as miners, railroad workers and even labourers, before booming into a fashion trend that had not ceased to stop. Now you see denim worn by nearly everyone across the globe due to its easy and comfortable wear. However, denim has done more than become a global fashion trend, it has also contributed to the slow destruction of the environment. Most demin products are made with an overwhelmingly large number of dyes that are highly toxic and damaging. Denim also relies on cotton that needs lots of water and pesticides to grow. Pesticides are harmful to human health and can become an environmental risk but that is just one part of the problem. The production of one pair of jeans could require up to 80 gallons of water which is around 360 litres. This is a lot! This is why here at Refashion my Town, we want young people to reduce, reuse, refashion and mend more to combat the issues the fashion industry has on society and environment. Our upcycled Denim design competition is open to 14-18 year olds on Friday 22nd April 2022 and submissions will close on Monday 5th September 2022. This competition requires you to EITHER:  A. A 3-minute video explaining the concept, inspiration, and idea of your upcycled denim design. We would like to see a mock-up of your design within your presentation, as well as before and after of the material used. You can also include a completed final product or garment but this is optional.  Or B. 1 x A3 sheet with design concept 1 x A3 sheet with design development 1 x A3 sheet with final design including before and after Mock-up of final design ( Final product - optional ).  Please note: this is a design ( NOT sewing ) competition, so entries will mainly be judged based on creative flair and out of the box thinking, rather than technical sewing skills. So play and have fun developing your ideas. There will be FIVE judges of the competition:  • Liz Alstrom - Mayor of Chippenham • Rachel Sheila Kan - Founder, Circular earth  • Yvonne Skelton - Head of textiles, Bath College • Melissa Barnett - Curator, Chippenham Museum  • Tricia Morris - Mending and Upcycling Expert, Morrissews. All entrants have access to materials and trimmings from Refashion My Town. Refashion My Town will also have FREE drop-in sessions every Friday at 3.30 - 5 pm, starting 29th April, to help entrants develop their ideas and if necessary, learn new skills to complete their entries. 

The Drop-in workshop is a DIY creative chocolate making session running on Sundays; You can book 1h slot anytime between 11.30am and 5.30pm for table of 6 maximum.

Join us for a relaxed evening of connection and collaboration at ‘Wine Down, Link Up’, a free networking event for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-employed professionals, hosted in the beautiful surroundings of Newhall Vineyard, Essex. Thanks to the generous support of Maldon District for Business, attendance is completely free, but advance booking is essential. Date & Time: Date: Wednesday 23rd July 2025 Drop in any time between: 17:00 – 20:00 Location: Newhall Vineyard, Essex What to Expect: A warm welcome with a complimentary glass of wine and a delicious charcuterie cone, courtesy of The Grazeful Girls (vegetarian and soft drink options available) A friendly and informal setting to network, promote your services, and meet like-minded local business people A brief 10-minute introduction from FSB and Maldon District Council highlighting the business support available in the region Free guided tours of the vineyard running throughout the evening Accessibility & Travel: Free on-site parking is available, with accessible spaces near the entrance. Step-free access and accessible toilets are provided. The nearest train station is South Woodham Ferrers, approximately 10 minutes by taxi, with regular service from London Liverpool Street via Wickford. Whether you're looking to expand your local network, find collaborators, or simply enjoy a relaxed evening in a picturesque venue, this is the perfect opportunity to connect and unwind. We look forward to welcoming you!

Come and join Janine at Stitching Kitchen for a weekend learning how to make a log cabin quilt. This workshop will take place over two full Saturdays. It is suitable for total novices, taking you through everything you need to know to build confidence in quilt-making. If you are a more experienced quilter, you will enjoy learning a new technique that has so many creative possiblities, and you can benefit from Janine’s years of experience to pick up tips and tricks for a professional, polished quilt. Log cabin quilting gets its name from the layout of the pieces - log-shaped strips built up around a central square, or ‘hearth’. It's a great quilt for getting through your scraps. Or, you can use precut 2 ½-inch strips, like Jelly Rolls, which make the process easier and just as enjoyable. Log cabin quilting is really versatile because the fabric choices, layouts and positioning can be used to make such a huge range of patterns. Your tutor Janine also holds monthly long-arm clinics at Stitching Kitchen that you'd be welcome to drop into if you'd like any further pointers, or would like to outsource the quilt finishing to her! What you will learn/achieve Skills in measuring, cutting and sewing this traditional block. How to create a huge range of patterns with your fabric choices, layouts and positioning. If you’re not yet comfortable with a rotary cutter and ruler, you can use precut 2 ½-inch strips, like Jelly Rolls, which make the process easier and just as enjoyable. The quilt size is flexible and can be adjusted based on your experience/speed. What's included Tuition: full instruction and support in a small class (maximum of 6). Written instructions that you can take away and refer back to at home. Use of all the tools you will need during the workshop. Use of the Pfaff sewing machines in Stitching Kitchen's fully equipped studio.  Tea and cake. What to bring Fabrics to make your log cabin blocks. We will send you a materials list, but just give us a call or drop in to the studio if you would like further advice, and we can also make suggestions about where to purchase quilting fabric. This is a great quilt for getting through your scraps, or sewing with a jelly roll! Stitching Kitchen has thread available to purchase. You won’t need to bring anything else and you can leave your sewing machine at home. Stitching Kitchen is fully equipped with Pfaff sewing machines and all the quilting tools and sewing kit for use during the workshop. Stitching Kitchen also stocks a full range of haberdashery, batting and quilting tools if you discover anything you would like to purchase to use at home. Please note that this workshop is held in our light and spacious first floor studio at Stitching Kitchen, which is accessible by stairs.  About your tutor Your tutor is Janine from TheFatQuarter Quilting https://thefatquarter.co.uk Having dabbled at patchwork and quilting when her children were babies, Janine moved on to develop a love for learning everything patchwork and quilting. In recent years she has owned a patchwork and quilting shop, living and breathing patchwork each day. Nowadays Janine is a professional Longarm Quilter and Patchwork Tutor with a love for sharing her wealth of experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

To celebrate the new partnership between Videcon & Paxton we are hosting a series of open days to welcome customers to our offices for live demonstrations of Paxton10 and Net2 with Paxton rep Richard Broomhead The sessions will last 30 minutes until 2pm when it will be a drop in event to see all the tech in action. Our Access Solutions Specialist - Aaron Wroe will also we attending to discuss the extra levels of support Videcon can provide to you including technical support, site survey + designs and to launch our bespoke demo facilities in the office. Through out the day you can expect merchandise giveaways, food + refreshments & access to special offers exclusive to event attendees on Paxton products We look forward to welcoming you, please RSVP to secure your attendance today.