Hannah and Bella

Discounted Classes with Groupon today!

Here is a great opportunity to come to some 5 hour sewing classes for the bargin price of £29 if you book in the next three days.

I will be running three separate classes-

Frilly knickers

Come and learn to make you own pair of cotton frilly knickers. This is a great project for a beginner sewer and a chance to try your hand at new skills in lingerie making. Basic machine skills required.

A change to learn knicker making techniques such as:

• Cutting out a pattern
• Elastic application
• French seams
• Sewing gusset
• Decorative edgings and ruffles

Just bring along 1 m of prewashed cotton fabric, some matching sewing machine thread.

Bring your personal sewing kits and scissors if you can, but sewing kits can be provided if you can’t.

Book HERE

DATES: SUNDAY 17TH MARCH 10AM-3PM, SUNDAY 21TH APRIL 10AM-3PM, 10th MAY 10-3pm

 

Customised your Cardigans vintage style

Using unwanted wool cardigans and jumpers form your wardrobe; through this class you will recut, recreate and revamp them into new wearable items.

Reflecting on decorative techniques seen within vintage fashion eras of the 1920s-50s, you will be inspired to add pockets, decorative applique and hand stitch as well as reshaping to create beautiful knitwear.

Suitable for beginners.

Techniques you will learn

• Look at developing design possibilities for your garments
• How to add applique motifs
• Covering buttons
• Adding pockets
• Creating ruffles and edges
• Re cutting and redesigning your knitwear

You will need to bring:

A selection of jumpers (100% wool work best) or cardigans from your wardrobe, which are in need of some love and a face lift. A selection of fabrics and trims (lace/felt/buttons/ribbon/beads/embroidery thread)which you can use to decorate.

There will be a button covering machine available to use on the day and buttons will range from 60p-75p each available to use with your own fabric. Bondaweb can also be bought form us.

Bring your personal sewing kits and scissors if you can, but sewing kits can be provided if you can’t.

DATES, SATURDAY 16TH MARCH 1PM-6PM, 28th APRIL 10-3pm, 26th MAY 10-3PM

Decorative Detachable Collars

Turn all your friends’ heads by making a detachable collar which can accessorise any outfit.

This flat collar will be made from recycled fabrics which can be worn over jumpers or dresses to create different looks.

Learn how to create a pattern to make a collar pattern and create different shapes and styles and using patchwork, applique and hand embroidery to embellish to create a unique accessory for your wardrobe.

Basic sewing machine skills needed.

Techniques you will learn:

• Making a collar pattern
• Creating different collar shapes
• Patchwork techniques
• Embroidery
• Appliqué

You will need to bring some fabrics you want to make your collars out of (clothes you are happy to cut up, old linen, sheets, pillowcases) , 40cm of iron on interfacing, thread for the machine,   some felt in your colour scheme and small piece of bondaweb and anything which you would like to decorate it will (e.g. buttons, beads, embroidery thread)

Bring your personal sewing kits and scissors if you can, but sewing kits can be provided if you can’t.

DATES: SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 10AM-3PM, Sunday 25th April 10-3pm

Click on the link below to book.

Look forward to seeing you there!

http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/nottingham/The-Textile-Workshop/18749984

Workshop dates 2013

Here are the new class dates March-May 2010

AIMS Individual Sewing Projects (9 week) Monday 9.30am-12.30pm* 

This project led class is perfect for those want to work on their own sewing project 

Start date: 15/04/13

Cost: £99/ Free

NCFE Corsetry (17 weeks) Monday 6.30pm-9.30pm*

Introduction to corsetry class. Learn how to make and adapt corsetry patterns, inserting busk, casings, flossing, cording, mounting fabrics and decorative edgings

Start date: 18/03/13

Cost: £199/ Free (payable in two instalments)

AIMS Burlesque Costume Making (9 weeks) Tuesday 9.20am-12.30pm*

Knicker making, customise bras and alter clothing, make decorative edgings and add lots of sparkle!

Start date: 16/04/13

Cost: £99/ Free

AIMS Beginner Dressmaking Wednesday 6.30pm-9.30pm

Learn the basics of dressmaking; cutting out, darts, finishing seams, inserting zips and hemming[

Start date: 17/04/13

Cost: £99/ Free

For more information please contact:  Karen 07809 158606

Enrol at: The Textile Workshop

6789 Mansfield Road, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 2GE

www.thetextileworkshop.co.uk

*Basic sewing machine skills needed

**courses are free if on benefits, tax credits or pension credits or if you have less than 5 GCSEs

New Sewing Classes for Springtime

New Class List January 2013

Here are the new classes most starting the last week in January. Lots to choose from so take a look and I hope to see you in a class very soon.

Working with Stretch Fabrics NCFE (17 weeks)

Mondays 1pm-4pm

Learn how to sew successfully with stretch
fabrics

Start
date: 11/02/13

Free if on some benefits or £199 payable in
instalments

Sewing Individual Projects AIMS (9 Weeks)

Mondays 9.30am-12.30pm

Come and make a sewing project of your
choice. Beginner sewing machine skills required.

Start
date: 11/02/13

Free if on some benefits or £99

Corsetry
NCFE (17 weeks)

Tuesdays 9.30am-12.30pm

Learn historical and modern corsetry
techniques such as inserting a busk, binding, flossing, eyelets,  cording and mounting fabrics.

Start
date: 12/03/13

Free if on some benefits or £199 payable in
instalments

Burlesque Costume Making AIMS (8 weeks)

Tuesdays 9.30am-12.30pm

Creative costume making, decorative edges,
sequins and beading, customise clothing,making pasties and lots more!

Start
date: 29/01/13

Free if on some benefits or £99

Beginner
Dressmaking AIMS (9 weeks)

Wednesday 6.30pm-9.30pm

Come and learn the basics of dressmaking,
cutting out, reading a pattern, darts seam and zips.

Start
date: 30/01/13

Free
if on some benefits or £99

For more information: www.thetextileworkshop.co.uk

or Ring
Karen Taylor 07809 158606

Class list September - December 2012

September

Monday 9.30am-12.30pm (17 weeks)

NCFE Finish your sewing projects

Come and complete your unfinished sewing projects. Learn new sewing skills specific to your project and tick some things off your sewing to do list. This is a flexible class where students set their own learning objectives.

Suitable for the beginner to the more advanced sewer. You need to be able to use a sewing machine.

Start date: 3^rd September 2012

Venue: The Textile Workshop, Sherwood, Nottingham

Fees: £199 or FREE if on some benefits

To book call Karen 07809 158606

 

Monday 1pm-4pm (17 weeks)

NCFE Working with Stretch Fabrics

Come and master working with stretch fabrics;  cutting, sewing and finishing skills. The first half of the course you will make a t shirt, a pair of knickers and learn to clone your own favourite stretch top. The last part of the course focuses on the student’s personal project.

Suitable for beginner to advanced dressmakers (must be confident using a sewing machine, ideally made some kind of garment before)

Starts 3^rd September 2012

Venue: The Textile Workshop, Sherwood, Nottingham

Fees: £199 or FREE if on some benefits

To book call Karen 07809 158606

 

 

 

 

Monday 6.30pm-9.30pm (7 weeks)

PCDL  Burlesque Costume Making 1

Add some glitz to your week and come and learn to make pasties, head dresses and decorative edgings.  Loads of fun and creativity to be had inspired by both historical and contemporary burlesque costume. 

I would encourage students to take both 7 week classes to make the most of the subject and give them enough time to progress onto their own projects.

Suitable for all levels and involves a lot of hand stitching and the glue gun

Starts 3^rd September 2012

Venue: The Textile Workshop, Sherwood, Nottingham

Fees: £55 or FREE if on some benefits (some postcode restrictions to this funding)

To book call Karen 07809 158606

 

October

Fascinator and Vintage Flowermaking

This is a four day class will get you making flowers from original patterns dated 1920s-1950s. Learn to make stiffened fabric roses, wired flowers, use silk, cotton organdie and make wired bases.

Starts: 6^th October 2012

Venue: Nottingham Trent University

Fees:  £325 to book go to http://onlinestore.ntu.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=5&prodid=213&deptid=18&catid=20

****10% discount if you book before 31^st August 2012****

 

Monday 6.30pm-9.30pm (7 weeks)

FS Burlesque Costume Making 2

Following on from PCDL Burlesque costume class we will look at customising clothes and bras, making a pair of knickers and some time to work on your projects. Loads of fun and creativity to be had inspired by both historical and contemporary burlesque costume. 

Suitable for all levels and involves a lot of hand stitching and the glue gun. Some experience of using a sewing machine would be useful in this class. I would encourage students to take both costume 1 and 2 to make the most of the subject.

Starts 29^th October 2012

Venue: The Textile Workshop, Sherwood, Nottingham

Fees: £55 or FREE if on some benefits (some postcode restrictions to this funding)

To book call Karen 07809 158606

 

November

Tuesday 6.30pm-9.30pm (14 weeks)

FS and PCDL Corsetry

Come and make a 1890s Victorian corset and learn the craft of corset making. Learn to adapt patterns to fit and to different designs. This course covers; mount fabrics, apply casings, sewing in a busk, eyelets, cording, flossing and decorative edgings.

This class is suitable for students who have good use of a sewing machine and can accurately edge stitch. Students need to enrol on both 7 week classes.

**There is a materials charge for the sample corset of £42 payable on first class**

Starts: 20^th November 2012

Venue: The Textile Workshop, Sherwood, Nottingham

Fees: £106 or FREE if on some benefits (some postcode restrictions on funding)

To book call Karen 07809 158606

 

Three Great Books on Working with Stretch Fabrics

I have been working a lot more in stretch this year and have been completely inspired by making simple tops out of jersey and wool jersey.

The great thing with stretch is once you have mastered the 'rules' and embraced the overlocker they are super fast to construct and it is possible to do without an overlocker. With very simple shapes it is easy to clone your favourite T shirt and make simple pattern alterations.

There are also some great books now on the market.

I would recommend:

Sew U Home Stretch by Wendy Mullin: This is a great over view which is very much aimed at the beginner. It includes some patterns and is very much about altering patterns to get your own designs. It covers working with the domestic sewing machine, with an overlocker and with a cover stitch machine ( I wish....!). I would say though the patterns did not come up so great as in seams not matching, but I think even so its the best over all introcuction on the market. It wil get you off the starting block.

Drape Drape by Hisako Sato: Has some great Japanese patterns for incredible jersey wear. Very contemporary and some initial information about working with stretch fabrics in the introduction. Drape Drape 2 is in the pipeline and will be published this autumn.

For the pattern cutters out there, the much awaited Pattern Magic Stretch by Tomoko Nakamichi is now out. If you are familiar with there other two books for woven fabrics you will be able to imagine what amazing designs this book covers. This time the book includes foundation block patterns (though be aware they are Japanese so very small). Although not especially my design style, form a pattern drafting perspective this is incredible and really pushes cutting and 3D design.

Coming up this September I have a 'Working with Stretch Fabrics' course. So if you want to dive in with some help from me then get yourself enrolled. This is a 17 week NCFE course running at The Textile Workshop in Sherwood, Nottingham.

Start date: 3rd September 2012 1pm-4pm

Fees: £199 or for some concessions FREE. To book call KarenTaylor: 07809 158606

Wishing you great adventures in stretchland x

 

 

Vintage Flowermaking Summer School at NTU

A few weeks back I taught my 'Fascinators and Vintage Flowermaking' class as a summer school. Four lovely days of making. Students learnt to work with new materials such as cotton organdie and silk, made wired bases, alongside learning some traditional 1920s flowermaking techniques.

Students make these amazing wired roses from stiffened silk.

Using heated irons they curled and heat set the flower petals.

Students painted their own organdie on day 3 giving them a real chance to create a personal colour palette from which to work with when it came to personal projects.

Such a delightful and creative group!

If you would like to try your hand at flowermaking or making fascinators this class is running again on Saturdays 10am-4pm starting on 6th October for 4 weeks.

If you book before 31st August then you get 10% off! For more details about the course and how to book look at Nottingham Trent University short courses online.

Burlesque Costume Making Class starts again soon.....

This weekend....

Fashion Exhibition.....(and I made some of the arms for the mannequins so it has to be good!)

Part of my volunteering for Leicestershire Costume collection I have had the delight of helping install the new exhibition 'Utility Clothing 1942-1949' at Snibston Discovery Museum, Leicestershire.

It shows some exquisite examples of Utility wear showing the journey from the glamorous 1930s to post war Briton. There is also a collection of contemporary designs from the students of DeMontford University inspired by the utility collection at the costume collection.

If you are a vintage 'nut' then this exhibition is really a must to go and see and is on until May 2013. It is also free to visit on Wednesday afternoons. Summer is here so go and take a look for yourself.