At The Sewing Room I run workshops for all sewing abilities from complete beginners, through to more specialized workshops for the more experienced dressmaker.
Listed below are the workshops I run regularly (not in date order). If, however, there isn’t a date that suits you, please contact me and we can discuss dates to fit in with your timetable.
Please note: I keep the class sizes very small, a maximum of four people usually only three, to ensure each student gets the most out of their experience.
How to Book a place:
- please click on the ‘BOOK HERE’ link next to the workshop title
- this takes you to the relevant Eventbrite page
- choose which date you’d like from the menu on the right
- choose the number of places and payment method
- Done!
Intro to Sewing Stretch BOOK HERE
Next Date: Wed 6 November 10.00-1.00pm
Sewing with an overlocker (or serger) is very different to a conventional sewing machine. In the first half of the workshop we’ll take a look at the different knitted/stretch fabrics available, how to handle them and the techniques needed to create stretch garments. We’ll then move on to getting familiar with your overlocker, how to thread it and what it can do. You’ll wonder how you managed without it….
Course Fee: £60
Dates in 2025: tbc
Basic Alterations – Hems BOOK HERE
Next Date: tbc
This new workshop is designed to give you the skills to undertake some everyday alterations.
In this workshop we’ll cover four different types of hem:
- skirt/dress hems one straight and one curved
- trouser hems – ladies and gents
- hems on stretch fabrics
This is a practical, hands on workshop. You’ll be guided through each stage with demonstrations and handouts to take home and refer back to.
Course Fee: £60
T-Shirt in a Day
Next Date: tbc
Using your overlocker, this one-day workshop will give you the skills to create a basic T-shirt.
We’ll take a look at the different types of stretch and how to handle them and then using a basic T-shirt pattern we’ll go from measuring, cutting, making and finishing. Giving you the skills to have a go at many more!
Course Fee: £65
Coming dates: tbc
Sewing for the Terrified
Beginners course
Next Date: Sat 30 Nov & Sat 7 Dec 10.00-3.30pm
In this intensive two-day workshop I’ll begin with taking you through the basic functions of a sewing machine, getting you comfortable with all its workings and making it your new best friend!
The structured lessons are designed to give a thorough grounding in sewing know-how and instil you with confidence to get started. I’ll teach techniques which can be used again and again in your future sewing projects.
The class is suitable for absolute beginners, those who’ve stumbled along without any formal training and the very rusty!
Course Fee: £180 for the two days
Further Dates in 2025: tbc
Piped Cushion Project BOOK HERE
Next Date: Thurs 7 Nov 10.00 – 3.30pm
In this workshop we’ll go through the various stages in creating a cushion cover with a zip closure in the back and covered piping cord around the edges.
This is a practical workshop going over the different techniques in its construction:
- measuring tips for cutting the right size fabric
- putting a lapped zip into the back
- how to create bias binding to cover piping cord
- how to decorate the edge with the piping
We’ll then go through the various stages of putting the cushion cover together.
You’ll come away with a practical sample to refer back to, not a completed cushion this is to ensure you can replicate the cover in your chosen fabric at a later date. There will be step-by-step guidance and handouts along the way.
Course Fee: £90
Understanding Sewing Patterns BOOK HERE
Next Date: Thurs 28 Nov 10.00am – 1.00pm
This morning workshop covers all the things no-one tells you. Demystifying the envelope jargon, pattern instruction sheet and symbols.
The class is a mixture of theory, demonstrations, discussions and discovery – everything to get you started!
Course fee: £60
Further Dates in 2025: tbc
A Skirt from Scratch
Beginners Dressmaking 2 Day Workshop
TO BOOK – please email me directly if you’re interested in this course info@the-sewing-room-malvern.co.uk
This two day workshop is a great way to start your sewing adventure – full of practical techniques and tips you’ll use again and again. You’ll come away with, not just a skirt, but confidence and skills for your next project!
In guided steps we will cover the following, backed up with handouts and demonstrations as we go along:
- Measuring and preparing your pattern for a better fit
- Laying out, cutting and preparing the pattern pieces
- …through to sewing up and hand finishing
The recommended choice of skirt pattern for this workshops is either McCalls M7960, Burda 6340, Butterick 6746 or New Look N6697
Course Fee: £150
Easy Sleeves
NEW WORKSHOP
Next Date: tbc
A one-day workshop covering most things about sleeves from tips to putting them in properly through to creating lots of different styles from one pattern.
The first half of the day we’ll be looking at practical tips and guidance on how to put sleeves in and tackling issues around fit. The second half of the day we’ll be playing around creating four different styles from a basic sleeve template.
Course Fee: £80
Dates for 2025: tbc
Zip Intensive BOOK HERE
Next Date: Sat 19 October 10.00 – 1.30pm
Just zips and how to insert them … we look at the different types, which to use where and taking the fear out of how to put them in.
Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions and guidance will be given on how to insert three different types of zip: centred, lapped and concealed (invisible) zip. Each student will come away with their own samples and full instructions to refer back to.
All materials included: 3 x zips and calico
Course fee: £60
Dates in 2024: 12 Dec
Sewing Machine Basics BOOK HERE
Next Date: Wed 16 Oct 10.00-12.30pm
Is your sewing machine still in the box? Not entirely sure what all the dials are for?
This morning class is designed to get you comfortable with its workings, taking the fear out of getting started. You’ll come away with a new found confidence backed up with notes to refer to.
The class is suitable for absolute beginners.
Course fee: £45
Dates for 2024: 27 Nov
Fab Fitting – Measuring Up BOOK HERE
Next Date: Thurs 24 Oct 10.00 – 1.00pm
How to get a better fit on a bodice pattern…
In this workshop we’ll be taking all the body measurements needed to ensure a better fit for tops, dresses and skirts BEFORE you cut out your fabric.
Each student will be taught how to measure properly and take over 20 personal body measurements. These will then be used to check against a bodice and/or skirt pattern. Demonstrations and in-depth guidance will be given on how to translate these measurements to the pattern and how to change the pattern pieces appropriately. Ensuring you end up with a garment that fits and a happy outcome to your sewing project.
Course fee: £60
Dates for 2024: 4 Dec
NOTE: The follow on workshop would be ‘Make To Fit’ a 2-day workshop where we make a calico/toile or working shell, from you measurements, tweaking the fit to end up with a personal bodice block pattern.
Creating New Designs BOOK HERE
Next Date: Thurs 31 October 10.00 – 3.30pm
This workshop shows you how to create new styles from the patterns you already have.
I’ll demonstrate how, by manipulating pattern pieces, you can make lots a different designs from a basic bodice and skirt pattern. There will be demonstrations with handouts and practical ‘playing’ time on quarter size pattern pieces ensuring students have samples and notes they can refer back to at a later date. Students will come away with the skills to create at least three different blouse and skirt styles from a basic block.
Course Fee: £90
Dates in 2025: tbc
NOTE: This workshop can also be taken as part of a series: firstly ‘Fab Fitting – Measuring Up’, then ‘Made to Fit‘ all of which are building towards students being able to apply the techniques they learn to their own fitted patterns, expanding the range of styles they have that uniquely fit them.
Make-To-Fit BOOK HERE
2-Day Workshop
Next Date in 2024: Sat 26 Oct & Sat 2 Nov
10.00 – 3.30pm ONE PLACE LEFT
This is a new workshop which can be taken on its own but is also designed to be the second part of a trio of workshops each working towards creating your own designs and a perfect fit every time. The scheduled is:
Day 1 will involve:
- applying your body measurements to a semi-fitted blouse pattern
- Adjust the pattern to fit your measurements
- Cut out the pattern and make up a working shell (toile) in calico
- personally fitting the calico to each student
Day 2 will include:
- Fitting adjustments applied back to the pattern
- A second calico (toile) may be made at this stage
- And finally the finished fitted pattern will be drafted onto card to create your personal bodice block template
Course Fee: £180 for the 2 days
Dates in 2025: tbc
NOTE: This workshop can also be taken as part of a series: firstly ‘Fab Fitting – Measuring Up’, then ‘Creating New Designs’ all of which are building towards students being able to apply the techniques they learn to their own fitted patterns, expanding the range of styles that uniquely fit them.
Flexible Teaching Dates
All classes and workshops can be ‘run to order’ with a minimum of three people or if you just need one hour of guidance through a tricky bit, book a one-to-one lesson. Get in touch and let me know what you’d like to learn. Contact Catherine
If the workshop dates don’t fit in with your schedule we can arrange a one-to-one session to suit. Lessons start at one and half hours. The fees are as follows:
One-to-one Lessons
1.5 hours – £45
2 hours – £50
