Courses & Workshops
Our courses are held in our converted workshop 'The Pig Sty'. For directions please follow this link - we are close to Newport, Wolverhampton, Telford & Shrewsbury - for those travelling we can help you with your accomodation choices.
For our classes you don't even need a sewing machine to join us as you are always welcome to use one of ours, or you can bring along your own and we will help you understand it's functions - we have a lot of experience with this.
We supply all of the practice fabrics for the courses, and for dressmaking classes we can provide the tracing paper and calico toille fabric for a nominal fee.
If there is a course that you would like to do, and you can’t see it, let us know and we will do our best to help you, or use our extensive contacts to find someone who can.
We work in small groups to ensure the highest standards of tuition and attention to all of our students. For most courses there are typically no more than four places, but we can accommodate larger groups depending upon the nature of the project.
Times
Our mornng courses start at 10.00 am and are for three hours finishing at 1.00 pm; following this our afternoon classes are from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm - to allow for a 30 min change over and a lunch break for those staying for the next class.
Full day classes start at 10am and finsish at 5pm ~ but if there are unfished aspects we are happy to allow you to stay until you are happy with your sewing.
However, our 2 day Intensive Soft Furnishings Course runs from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm - with an optional 1 hour session at the end of the second day for learning how to use our to use our bespoke fabric calculator for estimating fabric volumes and pricing - this is invaluable for those wanting to use it for a new business.
One to One Tuition
If you are a complete beginner and don’t yet have the confidence to join a group session, or you have a new machine and want to get to grips with it, or you just want to brush up on some of your sewing skills, then please contact us to book a one to one session. We will teach you about how to thread a sewing machine, understand the basic stitches, what they are used for and how to troubleshoot your sewing machine if you get into difficulty.
We provide two options, a 2 hour class for £40 or a 3 hour class for £50. These classes give you an intensve introduction to your sewing machine, professional sewing techniques & acessory feet. In these sessions we will teach you everything you want to know, and you will leave with extensive course notes and multiple sewing manuals and as many fabric samples that we can supply from cottons, laces, velvets, lether, lycra, zips and buttons ~ but most importantly your sewing machine will be ready for you to start swing as oon as you get home. Please contact us to arrange a convenient time and discuss what you would like to learn, so that we have everything pepared for you in advance.
We are specialists in teaching overlockers and coverstitch machines - from 2 thread to 5 thread modes and provide expert advice to many people wanting to make costumes from cos-play up to dance academies - and have an extensive number of acessory feet to make sewing stretch fabrics very easy.
Children & Young Adults Sewing
We are delighted to help the next generation of sewers, sewists and seamstresses, so we are happy to host childrens & young adults sewing classes after school, weekends or holidays. Places are very limited to ensure the highest standard of tutition ~ please contact us for details. Importantly, we are fully background checked due to our work with vulnerable adults in residentail homes. Our DBS certificate and Public Liability Cerfiticate can be viewed at any time.
Our Courses & Workshops
Below are our most popular courses - however we have a range of other courses that are availible on request, including Skirts, Trousers, Bags, Leather Sewing ~ please ask if there isn't anything you can't see ~ we are happy to provide bespoke courses and classes. Or come along with your friends for one of our fun evenings and learn how to make some fancy pants !!
New for 2019 - are our Hen Parties to make garters with the bride with a glass of fizz to mark the special occasion.
Discounts
For those booking a a course if you bring along some friends and family - then we will offer a discount for each extra person ~ 5% discount for a half day course and a 10% discount for a full day course.
Course List
Currently we have started a to have a fluid timetable instead of hard dates so that we can help you to fit classes into the times you have availible - as a linear timetable has been restrictive for some prospectice students.
Please e-mail or call us ~ and we will find you a slot for your course of choice. Addionally, we always like to have a little e-mail dicourse or a chat so that we can make sure that you know about the course and make sure we have everything ready for you beforehand.
Getting Started
An Introduction to Sewing Machines & Accessories ~ Everything You Need To Get Started
Hems, Seams, Zips & Button Holes ~ Expand Your Sewing Techniques
Overlockers & Stretch Sewing
Learn to Love Your Overlocker ~ Overlockers for Beginners & Improvers
Dancewear Courses ~ * 1, 2 or 3 Day Courses *
Quick & Easy Leotard in an Afternoon
Computerised Embroidery & Free Standing Lace
An Introduction to Computerised Embroidery & Free Standing Lace
Corsets & Lingerie ~ * 1 or 2 Day Course *
An Introduction to Corset Making ~ Corsets, Stays & Bodices
Lingerie Making ~ Learn How to Make Beautiful Lingerie in Cotton, Silk or Lace
Underbust and Overbust Corsets
Dressmaking ~ * 1 or 2 Day Course *
An Introduction to Dressmaking & Clothing Alterations ~ Decoding Patterns to Achieve the Perfect Fit
Childrens Clothes
An Introduction to Childrens Dressmaking - New for 2019 !!
Childrens Toy Making - New for 2019 !!
Teddy Bear Worshop
Make Paddington Bear with his Duffle Coat & Hat
Learn How to Make an Heritage Teddy Bear
Curtains & Cushions
Intensive Soft Furnishings & Interiors Course ~ 2 or 3 Days
Making Soft Furnishings to a Professional Standard for Your Home or for a New Career
Make Your Perfect Skirt
The Essential Skirt ~ Learn How to Make the Perfect Fitted A-Line or Circular Skirt
Dressmaking Patterns
The Ruby Dres - Learn How to Make a Beutiful Vintage Style Dress
Making a Calico Toille for a Vintage 'Utility Blitz Dress'
Vintage Silk Underwear - Parachute Silk Knickers
1950's Rockabilly Womens Shirt