Courses in Birmingham

Have you always been intrigued by dreamcatchers and want to learn the art of weaving your own, or do you know someone who loves them and want to gift them one? This ancient art is has gone through a lot of morphism and yet the old techniques are still here as always. Learn to weave a traditional dreamcatcher.

Learn The Art of Smudging Learn everything you need to know to confidently begin incorporating this powerful Smudging Ceremony into your life today! Smudging is a practice of connecting with the Spirit of specific plants and herbs to help cleanse, uplift, protect, and unite the physical and spiritual planes. Ancient traditions all around the world have incorporated the practice of smudging into their ceremonies. Now is your time to connect with “that which is greater than us”.

Learn how to make your own Macrame Dreamcatcher Are you new to Macrame? No worries, it’s actually very easy to learn! Come and learn how to knot your own dreamcatcher. Learn basic macrame knots to create your own Macrame Dreamcatcher. Adding that Boho feel to your home has never been easier.

Do you want to learn to use a sewing machine but don’t know where to start? YOUR SEWING JOURNEY STARTS HERE I’ve been teaching complete beginners to sew since 2009 LEARN A LIFE-SKILL, SAVE MONEY & BOOST FEELINGS OF WELLBEING I’ve created an online video course based on my successful classes running since 2009 using the easiest-to-follow methods. It’s been tried & tested by children as young as 8 years old for a whole year….They LOVED it & we guarantee you will too! THIS COURSE IS FOR ANYONE AGED 10-100 YEARS If you’re a beginner your age doesn’t matter! Both children & adults have used this course with ease. In fact the kids are often quicker learners! ✂️ THINKING ABOUT BUYING A SEWING MACHINE? My advice is to buy BASIC. No whistles & bells!  As long as the machine can do a straight stitch & a zig zag stitch that’s all you’ll need. Most machines have a few embroidery stitches too.  Avoid toy machines & go for the most basic version of a good brand.   USING OUR HANDS CREATIVELY IS PROVEN TO MAKE US 🖐✂️🧵😃 FEEL HAPPY 😃🧵✂️🖐 You can do everything you need on a basic machine including free style embroyery Amanda Recommends… WHAT YOU’LL LEARN BLOCK 1 - FIRST THINGS FIRST ✔️Let’s look at a sewing machine ✔️Speed control & turning corners ✔️How to sew a seam ✔️How to pin, cut & place a template BLOCK 2 - THREADING UP ✔️Winding a bobbin ✔️The top thread-up ✔️Inserting a bobbin on top loaders  ✔️Inserting a bobbin on front loaders BLOCK 3 - SEW A SUNGLASSES CASE ✔️Practise what you’ve learned & achieve your first little project make ✔️Learn all about backstitch & why it’s important BLOCK 4 - ALL THE HELP YOU'LL NEED ✔️How to solve stitching issues ✔️Choosing & changing needles ✔️Getting unstuck ✔️Looking after your machine LEARNING TO SEW HAS COUNTLESS BENEFITS….. Sewing helps to extend focus & concentration. As we must concentrate for longer periods of time. It’s great for those who struggle to stay focused. It reduces time spent on social media. Instead of scrolling we use our hands creatively making. Sewing promotes good mental health. It increases self-esteem through empowerment & creativity. It makes us happy! Dexterity & hand strength improve. Cutting, pinning & making are ways of strengthening hands our tools for life! We help to save the planet by extending the life of clothes. Clothing won’t end up in landfill if we upcycle it. Extending the life of clothes by 9 months reduces their carbon footprint by 20-30% It teaches us how to save money. It’s a useful life-skill we can use to alter, update, customise, remake or repair instead of buying new things. It’s such a great feeling to be able to say “ I made it myself” WHAT DO I NEED? Not that much!  You’ve probably got most things at home already. ✂️🧵📍✏️🎧👖📄📏 You can learn at your own speed at home or sew with your friends It’s much cheaper than attending classes MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR…..AMANDA RILEY  Amanda Riley is a Fashion Designer & environmentalist. She has been teaching complete beginners the art of diy fashion and eco-sewing since 2009. After realising the horrendous environmental impact of fashion she started her masterclass workshops at The Fashion Factory, for 8-16 year olds as an antidote to fast fashion.  “ I saw an increase in social media use & the reduction of practical & creative subjects in schools. Many children are missing out on life skills, creativity, dexterity & the ability to focus. I felt I had to do something”  “My eco-sewing programme focuses on learning via upcycling unwanted textiles into cool new stuff. The products & video lessons are designed to keep young people engaged and coming back for more. I’ve ripped up the sewing rule books and introduced a new way of learning this hugely rewarding life skill.”  Her students have appeared in Vogue, in the Fashion Factory book (Amazon) & many have gone on to study for creative careers. She was selected as a top 100 changemaker in 2021 by the Big Issue.

5 Week course using drawing as a process to play with both traditional materials and textile processes, to develop playfulness and experimentation as a tool for design and art directions.