20 Sewing Machine courses in Brentwood

Bring your poorly sewing machine for some TLC. In this session as part of London Repair week, I will show you how to look after your machine, common issues and how to fix them, and guaranteed you'll go home with a better understanding of how to keep your machine purring. I will talk for an hour and then there's a Q&A/ fixing session for an hour and you'll get to home with a fact sheet and some excellent quality needles (these fix 99% of all issues!). If your machine needs more fixing than can be provided during this session you can leave her, and I will fix her for the discounted rate of £30, effectively taking your ticket price off the repair cost.

My beginner's sewing course will teach you the basics, from operating a sewing machine to mastering essential stitches. You'll work on simple projects, gaining hands-on experience and confidence. With personalized 1-to-1 instruction, you'll quickly develop the skills to bring your creative ideas to life. Join me and start your sewing journey today!

4 day quilting workshop covering everything from tools, techniques, designing, measuring, cutting, stitching, wadding, binding, some history too. You will receive two feet for your machine, a book, and all the materials are included too

Sewing machine class for absolute beginners. The class will cover setting up a machine, learning about thread, bobbins, needles, feet, fabric, basic maintenance, tools, making seams and hems, understanding seam allowances, and you will create a cushion cover to take home with you.

Runs on Sundays 25th Februrary and 2nd March 10:30-3:30 Make the fab Tilly and the Buttons Coco or Billy dress in this one day class. These dresses are made from knitted fabric and therefor a great pattern to make in a short time - No zips or buttonholes! It should just fit straight out of the envelope. This is a good class to learn about using stretch fabrics on a domestic sewing machine. For a more in-depth class covering fitting please join the 3 day dressmaking course instead.   The pattern for this garment is included in the class fee, as are the machines, haberdashery, endless tea and coffee. All you'll need to bring is the fabric for your dress, I will discuss the exact amount and what kind is suitable once the class is booked.    This is a small class so you will get lots of time with me. I will have a maximum of 4 students in the class but usually we just have 2 or 3.  Event Terms & Conditions Classes need to be paid for at the time of booking. They will only run once the minimum number of students is met. My studio sadly isn’t accessible to those with mobility issues. I have cats but no soft furnishings or carpets in the studio so most people with allergies are fine with antihistamines.

Learn how to measure, cut and stitch accurate patchwork quilt blocks in this one day workshop. Part of a 4 day quilt course, but suitable as a stand alone class too. This class is a great class to take after the beginners class as the sewing will be mostly straight lines and it will allow you to practice more seams and other skills learned in the beginners class. You will need to know how to handle a sewing machine for this class but it's very much still a class that's achievable for beginners. You will cover design, measuring, cutting, the use of various tools, and stitching.

Learn how to cut and stitch a variety of fun improv quilt blocks in this one day workshop. There will be a further patchwork class on 18th November, a free motion stitching and appliqué class on 25th November and a final workshop on 9th December to learn to put the quilt sandwich together, and bind it.

In this class we will talk about different kinds of wadding and will learn about the quilting together of all the layers with either straight lines or freemotion stitching. Then we will learn to bind our mini quilts (bring the mini quilt tops we created in earlier classes, or bring your own) Wadding and thread all included in the price, as well as a copy of my In Stitches sewing handbook. You will also receive a free walking and free motion foot for your machine! Just let me know when you book what machine you have (this offer does not apply to Bernina feet I'm afraid!)

Learn Traditional Leather Craft, Saddle Stitching And Leather Goods Construction Skills A week-long masterclass offering an in-depth experience of traditional leather craft skills and hand sewing techniques, merging theory with hands-on learning. Dates/times: Five consecutive days - Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Understand the uniqueness of vegetable-tanned leather and the amazing long lasting products that can be created with this material. Proficiently handle traditional hand tools, master various hand-sewing techniques, and understand pattern drafting for the creation of handmade goods. You will gain insights into the technical aspects of leatherworking, including preparation, marking, cutting, gluing, reinforcing, skiving, debossing, finishing, and more. You will create a finished leather bag as well as personalised samples to take home for reference in your future projects.You will conclude the masterclass with the ability to craft entirely handmade leather items and master essential skills such as cutting, finishing, and saddle stitching. You will be taught by a prototype maker and manufacturer with 20 years of experience in this field. Participants also receive valuable handouts and curated lists of leather and tool suppliers for ongoing reference. Leather And Hand Tools: Overview of leather types, tanning, finishing, and best uses Understanding vegetable-tanned leather, how to use it, and how to finish it Importance of choosing the right materials and tools for projects Leather preparation, pattern placement and marking Understanding the cutting of thin and thick leathers and selecting the right cutting tools Using leather punches, skiving, beveling and creasing Finishing leather edges: burnishing and inking Utilising leather glues, tapes and reinforcements Exploration of prototyping and manufacturing leather goods, encompassing varied working methods, machines, and tools. Hand Sewing/saddle Stitching: Saddle stitching leather and understanding related tools and materialsUnderstanding thread types Correctly sewing various leather types, ranging from thin to very thick Sewing straight lines, curves and three-dimensional parts Producing various seams and seam finishes Construction techniques: Sewing and finishing a simple zip on leather Cutting, assembling and sewing simple straps/handles Constructing and sewing common gussets Leather Goods Making: Understanding the basics of pattern making for hand-sewn items and how this differs from machine sewing pattern drafting. Creating a finalised hand sewn leather bag from our designs, choosing colour, materials, reinforcements, hardware and trimmings. By the end of the tuition, you will have: – Developed confidence in utilising specific tools for leather preparation, marking, finishing, cutting and fastening fittings. – Acquired an understanding of working with diverse leather types and thicknesses, with the ability to source and select appropriate tools and materials for your projects. – Mastered essential leather sewing techniques, troubleshooting common sewing issues, and handling challenges such as curves, multiple layers of leather, and three-dimensional objects. – Learned to sew fundamental bag components like simple zips and gussets. – Built confidence in hand sewing, using patterns, and gaining the skills to independently create simple leather items

This is a theoretical and practical introductory group tuition during which you will be taught common, essential leather crafting and basic sewing techniques.You will be taught how to correctly use hand tools, how to hand sew leather and understand the most common finishing techniques used in bag and accessory making.You will learn about different types of leather and understand how to select the correct type of material(s) for your project. You will receive an overview of the technical aspects of working with leather and constructing bags and accessories such as preparing, marking, cutting, gluing, reinforcing, debossing and more.You will produce your own samples of work to take home with you.You will receive relevant, useful and informative handouts as well as lists of leather and tool suppliers.This is a professional course delivered by a prototype maker and manufacturer, with the aim of providing an overview and hands-on experience on more common leather working practices.   At the end of the tuition you will have:– Gained an understanding of leather types and tanning methods– Understood what it means to work with different leather types and thicknesses and have the ability to source and select the correct tools and materials for your projects.– Gained confidence in using specific tools for preparing, marking, finishing and cutting leather.– Understood and practiced leather craft techniques such as beveling and burnishing techniques– Learnt basic leather hand sewing techniquesWHAT WILL BE TAUGHT?Below is a list of topics covered during the classes:– Understanding leather: overviews on types of leather, tanning, finishings and best use– Vegan leathers: an overview on different types and features– Understanding the importance of choosing the right materials for your project and the right tools for your materials– Leather preparing, pattern placement and marking on leather– Cutting complex shapes using a variety of tools– Using leather punches– Understanding the use of skiving, beveling and grooving– Finishing leather edges: painting vs burnishing– Using various leather glues and tapes– Understand the use of reinforcements, fusings and stabilisers to back leather– To learn basic leather hand sewing techniques– To understand the tools and materials used in saddle stitching– Prototyping and manufacturing leather goods: mentions of different working methods, machines and tools   IMPORTANT TO KNOW:We will always try to cover as much on the syllabus as possible and depending on your ability and previous experience, we might not be able to complete the program or we might instead be able to teach you additional techniques relating to the above listed topics, such as:– Understanding fittings, closure types, fastening techniques and tools: sam browns, magnets, pop buttons, eyelets, etc– Sew and finish simple zips styles, handles and straps– Understanding options and the construction of how to line bags and accessories INCLUDED IN THE COURSE:You will be provided with useful digital and paper handouts which contain:– A list of tools and materials used during the lesson(s), including a description of what they are and how they are used– A list of recommended suppliers for both leather and fittings (physically in London and online)– A glossary containing information about leather types and characteristics WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?This course is suitable for total beginners, beginners with some experience and intermediate.You should be able to use measurements and understand verbal and written English instructions.   ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS? IS THERE ANYTHING I NEED TO BRING?Materials are included.Feel free to bring a notepad, if you would like to take some notes, we will provide the rest. HOW LONG IS THIS TUITION?:This tuition will require up to 6.5 hours to complete.We aim to provide customised and high quality tuition services and by only allowing up to 6 students at a time, we are able to focus on each person needs and interests.As every student has a different level of ability and previous experience, this course might lead some students to complete the core aspects of the lesson in a shorter time frame than others.Students who complete the course early will be welcome to stay and use the studio facilities to exercise on the topics of the lesson.