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393 Educators providing Courses

Sew Silly Lily

sew silly lily

Cardross

I’m Sharon. I've been sewing and making stuff for as long as I can remember and went on to study Embroidered Textile design at Glasgow School of Art, but my interest in textiles goes way beyond stitch and I have a range of textiley skills which I bring to my work.  I always wanted to learn to crochet when I was wee but with no-one to teach me it took until 2011 when I decided I was just going to have to teach myself! I was too impatient to take it step by step so jumped straight in at the deep end and just had a go at all the things I really wanted to learn to make - flowers, fruit, vegetables, animals, Amigurumi; regardless of whether the pattern said they were for beginner, intermediate or expert! Within a month or 2 I was doing some simple designing and began selling crocheted goodies and patterns through my Etsy shop. I'm totally hooked! Making up for lost time I literally haven't put my crochet hook down as I continue to fine tune, develop skills and discover even more. My approach to teaching is pretty similar. Learning a new craft is all about repitition but that doesn't mean you have to make things just for the sake of it, or because someone says it's suitable for a beginner. I would encourage anyone thinking about taking up crochet or looking to develop their skills to choose things to make that appeal to you, why not challenge yourself and I'll do my best to help and encourage you along the way. I firmly believe that if you love what you're making, even if it's a little beyond your skill level, you're more likely to enjoy, learn and be inspired by the process. And the results are all the more rewarding, even if they're not always perfect. But if you prefer to build your skills from the basics up I do suggest what skill level classes are suitable for and how tricky they are on the fiddly diddly scale! Everything we make during a CAL is designed by me and patterns are written using US crochet terms. You can create the most amazing things with the most basic of stitches and that's what I try to highlight as a designer, but I don't always do things the easiest way; where necessary I prefer to show you slightly more advanced techniques and share tips that I think will help you achieve a better and neater finish to your projects; things I wish someone had been able to show me when I was learning.  Crochet-Alongs are held online via Zoom with patterns and access being sent the evening before. On the day I have an additional camera to give guests close up hand views as we're working. A Sew Silly Lily Crochet-Along is an amazing opportunity for me to share my passion for crochet and hopefully inspire you to find out more about this beautiful and versatile craft. And I'm always available to help beyond classes.  Sx

Gill Arnold Dressmaking Training

gill arnold dressmaking training

West Midlands

I live and work in Solihull and am married with two boys. I have an obsessive love of sewing, which has driven my career through a wide range of sewing related experiences. I came from a family of sewers and from a very early age was encouraged to be creative. My love of embroidery and needlework led me to pursue a career in teaching. I attended a specialist needlework and home economics teacher training College in Liverpool. I always enjoyed "hands on work" and gained experience working with an expert team of fitting and alteration seamstresses at an exclusive dress shop the summer I finished at Liverpool. I wanted a creative career, so I applied for the position of wardrobe assistant at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. This was a wonderful work experience, sewing fabulous fabrics and making a diverse range of costumes. The theatre wardrobe mistress encouraged me to continue studying and I enrolled for a City and Guilds course. Although theatre working hours were long, they were flexible and I could study and work full time. I achieved merit for City and Guilds Creative Studies; two years later I received a distinction in Fashion and Design and won the year prize. My qualifications and experience opened another career opportunity in the fashion industry. I wanted to work fewer hours and the job I was offered provided training in production planning and buying. Working regular hours I decided to think again about the teaching career I had abandoned. I was employed by Birmingham Adult Education Department to work in evenings teaching Embroidery and Needlework. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, so when I married and the family arrived I gave up full time work in industry. I returned to college, updated my teaching qualifications and became a part time teacher In the early 90's I wrote the Tailoring Programme for the West Midlands Access Foundation, later used by Open College Network. By 1996 I was determined to offer my own courses, now known as Gill Arnold Dressmaking Training. In 1997 I became Sewing World magazine's pattern specialist. Over 20 years teaching has given me a wealth of experience and knowledge to produce articles on patterns and fitting. I have also written for Sew Today and American publications. With the support of the sewing industry I enjoy being a regular exhibitor at shows all over the country including the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. My yearly programme provides a full range of sewing events, exhibitions, seminars, cloth sales, trips and courses.