Guest Tutors – Sara Cook

I’m happy to introduce my second confirmed guest tutor – Sara Cook.  Sara is an expert in patchwork and quilting.  As well as designing and making beautiful quilts herself she is an excellent and very experienced teacher and was a big support to me when I started teaching in 2007.  I attended one of her summer schools as a student few years ago and loved it.

I have also taught alongside Sara at City College, Portslade Community College and Friends Centre and know she has a loyal student following!

Sara will be starting with a log cabin cushion workshop, which is a good way into learning (and getting addicted to!) patchwork.

To book your place or for any more information get in touch via post[at]wendyward.co.uk or ring 01273 775951.

More industrious students

December has proved a very productive month for my students, here’s a few more creations from recent classes and workshops:

First up my Alterations students at the Friends Centre.  Here we’ve got skirts made from trousers, customising with appliqué, dresses and skirts altered to fit better and shortened jeans.  And that’s only a small selection of what they achieved in 10 weeks.

Two students from my Drop-in Sewing & Dressmaking classes; Joy in a beautiful cashmere wool coat that was a labour of love with bound buttonholes, handmade shoulder pads and fully lined in silk, and Brenda in another silk frock made from a pattern taken from a favourite dress.

Productive results of the “Make your own Christmas Gifts” Sunday workshop; an apron, 2 cushion covers and a make-up bag.  Pretty good for a day’s sewing.

And students from Varndean in their perfectly fitting skirt toiles after my pattern cutting workshop.  Why they were so surprised that the skirts fitted so well, I don’t know!

First birthday

I missed it!  I wrote my first post on this website last year on the 17th of October.  A year ago on the 4th of November the first “Made By” class was taught.  I’m shocked that a year has gone by!

Well, it’s been a busy year and my classes are proving successful.  I’ve learned a lot, I’ve made a lot and I’ve enjoyed it, with only a few hair-pulling moments…

So, what next?

There are lots of exciting developments going on, most of which are still under wraps for a teeny bit longer.

Happy birthday to me!

And thanks to all of you x

Sunday Workshop Dates

Four dates for Sunday workshops to plan before Christmas, not so difficult you might think.  Well, I’ve been ummming and ahhhing and talking to students and friends and here’s the end result; an assortment of popular workshops which have run before and some new ones.  I’m sure I won’t please everyone with this selection but hey, there’s always 2012!

Sunday 30th October – Pattern Cutting Workshop

Suitable for beginners and students who have previously drafted skirt or trouser patterns.  At this workshop beginners will draft a skirt block and pattern and make a skirt toile (sample).  Students who have done some pattern cutting before will draft a trouser block and make a trouser toile.  Students who have previously drafted a trouser block with me will draft a one-piece dress block.
•    Class size limited to 4 people.
•    11am to 4pm.
•    £40 payable in advance to confirm your space.

Sunday 20th November – How to use your Sewing Machine Workshop

Another date for this popular workshop.  The day is aimed at beginners to find your way around a sewing machine including; different stitches, changing the tension, the different settings, cleaning, changing needles, changing feet, threads, using different fabrics and of course threading and sewing!
•    Class size limited to 5 people.
•    11am to 3pm.
•    £35 payable in advance to confirm your space.

Sunday 4th December – Sewing with Knits Winter Workshop

A winter version of the workshop I ran for the first time in August.  Sewing with stretchy jersey fabrics can be tricky on a domestic sewing machine, so at this workshop I’ll show you the best ways to cut and sew knitted fabrics.  I’ll provide you with a choice of long sleeved winter patterns specifically designed for jersey fabrics for you to whip up something to wear by the end of the day. All you need to bring is some jersey fabric of your choice and matching thread.  This workshop is not suitable for complete beginners.
•    Class size limited to 5 people.
•    10.30am to 4.30pm.
•    £45 payable in advance to confirm your space.

Sunday 11th December – Make your own Christmas Gifts Workshop

Everyone loves a handmade gift.  At this workshop you will be able to make a choice of gifts and stocking fillers ranging from soft toys to make-up bags and aprons.  I’ll provide all the patterns, you just need to bring the fabric.  Suitable for all levels of ability, but you need to be able to use a sewing machine to get the most out of the day.
•    Class size limited to 5 people.
•    10.30am to 4.30pm.
•    £45 payable in advance to confirm your space.

As always, if you need more info or would like to discuss in more detail, email me at thiswasmadeby[at]gmail.com or give me a ring on 01273 775951.  Look forward to hearing from you.

How to use your sewing machine workshop

Look at that for focused concentration!!  Heads down working hard, that’s what I like to see in my workshops!

I think sewing machines as well as students must like these workshops as yesterday saw more machines back from the brink of lonely lives of neglect.  One machine had been in its box in a cupboard for a few years, another had almost ended up being dumped.  By the end of the day they were whirring happily.

Their owners had the following feedback on the workshop:

What did you enjoy most?
“Hands on machine knowledge.”
“Gaining a good all round knowledge.”
“Learning more about how the machine works.”

And about the workshop overall:
“Really clear concise info, friendly and fun.  Learned a lot!”

The funniest part for me were the squeals of disgust when we had a go at cleaning the machines…yep sewing machines need a bit of TLC every now and again and these students now know why!

I’ll be running this workshop again before Christmas, date to be confirmed soon.

Sewing with Knits Sunday Workshop

I ran this workshop for the first time yesterday and here’s the brilliant results!

Despite having a choice of 2 skirts, a dress and a top to make, everyone plumped for the frock!  Maybe it was the sunshine and holiday anticipation.

So many of the clothes we wear today are made from knitted jersey fabrics that it’s not surprising so many of my students want to use this fabric.  However, as my 4 students yesterday found out it presents a few challenges, but that’s why a whole day devoted to it was a good idea!

No doubt I’ll be running this workshop again in the future, maybe with some long sleeved, more autumnal styles on offer…

Here’s what some of yesterday’s students thought of the workshop:

“Great time all round, fab project.”
“Excellent day and company.  Learned loads.”
What did you enjoy most about the day?
“Getting to go home with a new item of clothing, feeling industrious.”

Thanks to my 4 lovely students for making it an enjoyable day for me too!

10 week Pattern Cutting course at Friends Centre

My popular patten cutting course will be running again for the third year starting in September.  Suitable for beginners and students who have learned some pattern cutting with me in the past.  It starts on Monday 19th September from 6.30pm-8.30pm and costs £90 (£54 concessions).  Enroll direct with the Friends Centre on 01273 810210 or on their website www.friendscentre.org

This course differs from my Made By classes in student numbers – there will be at least 10 students per class at the Friends Centre, Made By pattern cutting classes are restricted to just 5 people.

A word of advice; you must have some sewing experience using dressmaking patterns before you start pattern cutting!

Yesterday’s Pattern Cutting Workshop

Although yesterday was a scorcher here in Brighton my Pattern Cutting Workshop was full and I had a lovely day showing 4 eager students how to draft the perfectly fitting skirt pattern.

Lots of concentration, a bit of maths and plenty of mutual encouragement resulted in 4 perfect skirt toiles.

Ladies, I expect to see you around Brighton parading a whole collection of pencil and a-line skirts!

Here’s some of their feedback on the day:

“Supportive, positive, step-by-step instructions and guidance throughout the session.”

“It’s been awesome!”

“A great way to spend a Sunday.  Highly recommendable.”

Sew magazine features my classes

June’s issue of Sew magazine has a feature on”Stitching by the Sea” and they’ve featured my classes for Brighton!

First ‘How to use your sewing machine’ workshop

I thought this would be a good workshop and I was right!  Three happy sewing machines and owners and two people now on the hunt for a sewing machine of their own.  Today we had a 1970′s lovely old Singer in its own work table happily whirring away beside a brand new all singing, all dancing Bernina.  No matter how old or how high spec, they all have the same parts and they all do the same thing and we had them sewing a treat today.
Here’s what some of my students thought of the workshop:
“Fantastically helpful and inspiring, very patient and clear teaching.”
“Really good and useful workshop.”
What did you enjoy most?
“Having time to ‘play’ with my machine and find what it could do.”