How to use your Sewing Machine for Dressmaking

Last Sunday five students arrived at MIY Workshop armed with new sewing machines that they were determined to get to grips with!

After a few hours practicing some basic techniques and generally getting more familiar with their machines, here’s what they thought of the day:

“A brilliant course if you’ve got a new machine and you need to learn the basics.  Takes the fear out of sewing!” Jayne

“I thoroughly enjoyed the class.  Perfect for beginners who need to get to know and make friends with their machine :o)  Now I can practice these new skills to help me get ready for other classes!  Can’t wait to come again.  Thank you Wendy.”  Jess

“Demystifying – I can go home and actually use my machine now!”  Karen

“Really useful workshop – I’m no longer scared of sewing machines!  Definitely gave me the basics and inspiration to start some projects.  Thanks!”  Harriet

“Wendy was great!  She explained sewing in a simple, easy-to-understand way.  It doesn’t seem so scary now!  I’m ready to experiment with sewing.”  Serena

If you’ve been thinking about buying a sewing machine, have a read of my guide to which one to buy: https://wendyward.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/which-sewing-machine-should-i-buy/

And if you need a few basic sewing tips to get you started, there are lots over on the MIY Collection website, including:

• how to start and stop sewing
• which thread to use on your machine
• how to sew neat, accurate seams
• how to neaten your seam allowances
• a little whistle-stop tour of your sewing machine

I will be running this workshop again later in the year.  If you’d like to get a chance to pre-book before the workshop is advertised, you can join my priority mailing list by contacting me (Wendy) at post[at]wendyward.co.uk

Happy sewing!

Sunday workshops for July to December now booking…

If you fancy making something like this one Sunday, here’s a list of the Sunday workshops I’ll be running between July and December.  I’ve included in the descriptions whether each workshop is suitable for beginners or not.  Hopefully there is something for everyone!  They’re already filling up, if you’d like to book a place or have any questions get in touch by phone on 01273 693451 or 775951 or email post[at]wendyward.co.uk

Sunday 14^th July – Summer Frock Making                                          Fancy making a unique summer dress to take on holiday or just to waft around town?!  Come along to this workshop where I’ll have a choice of dress patterns for you to use to whip up a new frock by the end of the day.  Specific sewing techniques covered will include pockets, zips and facings.  Just bring your fabric and matching thread.  Suitable for beginners and those with a bit of sewing experience.                                                                                                                                              •    Class size limited to 5 people  
•    10.30am to 4.30pm  
•    £45

Sunday 18^th August – Pattern Cutting – Dresses                                 Tired of buying dresses that don’t fit properly?  Try this one day intensive workshop to have a go at pattern cutting and draft the perfectly fitting dress block.  At this workshop you will draft a basic dress and sleeve block and pattern and make a toile (sample).   This workshop is only suitable for people who have made clothes from patterns and are confident using a sewing machine.  It is NOT suitable for those who have never done any pattern cutting.                              •    Class size limited to 4 people  
•    10.30am to 4.30pm  
•    £45

Sunday 15^th September – How to use your Sewing Machine for Dressmaking                                                                                         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

Sunday 29^th September – Skirt Making                                               Want to learn to sew? Fancy a new skirt? Want to make a present for a friend?
Come to this one day intensive workshop and learn some sewing basics whilst making an A-line skirt. This workshop will teach you the basics of reading a pattern (pattern provided, no need to buy one!) and using a sewing machine.
  Suitable for beginners and those with a bit of sewing experience.
  See what previous students have made at this workshop here.                                                           • Class size limited to 5 people            • 10.30am to 4.30pm               • £45

Sunday 6^th October – Sewing with Knits                                           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 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.  See what previous students have made at this workshop here.                                                                                                                                      •    Class size limited to 5 people  
•    10.30am to 4.30pm  
•    £45

Sunday 20^th October – Pattern Cutting – Dresses                              Tired of buying dresses that don’t fit properly?  Try this one day intensive workshop to have a go at pattern cutting and draft the perfectly fitting dress block.  At this workshop you will draft a basic dress and sleeve block and pattern and make a toile (sample).   This workshop is only suitable for people who have made clothes from patterns and are confident using a sewing machine.  It is NOT suitable for those who have never done any pattern cutting.                              •    Class size limited to 4 people  
•    10.30am to 4.30pm  
•    £45

Sunday 10^th November – Cushion Making                                    Cushions don’t have to be boring! Cushion covers can be a great first project for beginner sewers and provide a blank canvas for more experienced sewers to explore new techniques. At this workshop you’ll learn the basics of cushion making and we’ll move on to ways of making them a bit more interesting by adding piping, using recycled fabrics and customising. Great for presents or to add a splash of colour to your own place.  Suitable for absolute beginners and those who have just started sewing.  See what previous students have made at this workshop here.                                                                                                                             • Class size limited to 5 people            • 11am to 4pm             • £40

Sunday 8^th December – Sewing with Knits                                       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 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.  See what previous students have made at this workshop here.                                                                                                                                      •    Class size limited to 5 people  
•    10.30am to 4.30pm  
•    £45

Sunday 15^th December – Pattern Cutting – Trousers                         Tired of buying trousers that don’t fit properly? Try this one day intensive workshop to have a go at pattern cutting and draft the perfectly fitting trouser block. By the end of the day you will have drafted a basic trouser block and pattern and made a toile (sample). You will get the most out of this workshop if you have previously made clothes from patterns and are confident using a sewing machine.
This workshop is suitable for those new to pattern cutting & those who have done a bit of pattern cutting.                                                                                               • Class size limited to 4 people            • 11am to 4pm             • £40

2012 Sunday Workshop Dates

Finally (!), I have timetabled my Sunday workshops for the first half of 2012, it includes two brand new workshops, here they all are:

Sunday 5th February – How to use your Sewing Machine
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 26th February – Skirt Making Workshop
Want to learn to sew?  Fancy a new skirt?  Want to make a present for a friend?
Come to this one day intensive workshop and learn some sewing basics whilst making an A-line skirt.  This workshop will teach you the basics of reading a pattern and using a sewing machine.
Suitable for beginners and those with a bit of sewing experience.

• Class size limited to 5 people.
• 10.30am to 4.30pm.
• £45 payable in advance to confirm your space.

Sunday 11th March – Sewing with Knits
A combination of the winter and summer versions of this workshop depending on what you want to make!  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 winter and summer 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 25th March – **NEW WORKSHOP** Cool Cushions
Cushions don’t have to be boring!  Cushion covers can be a great first project for beginner sewers and provide a blank canvas for more experienced sewers to explore new techniques.  At this workshop you’ll learn the basics of cushion making and we’ll move on to ways of making them a bit more interesting by adding piping, using recycled fabrics and customising with easy appliqué (I’ll provide you with some stencils to use) and pompoms.  Great for presents or to add a splash of Spring colour to your own place.
Suitable for beginners and those with a bit of sewing experience.

• Class size limited to 5 people.
• 11am to 4pm.
• £40 payable in advance to confirm your space.

Sunday 15th April – **NEW WORKSHOP** Wedding & Party Bunting
I have to confess, I’m hesitant about bunting!!  It can look awful, it can look twee, but I plan to show you how to make sure yours is neither!  I want you to make cool bunting so, it’s all in the choice of fabrics, mix of colours, scale & shape of your bunting and how you finish it off and decorate it.  We’ll go through some bunting basics and then look at ways to customise it by adding lettering, embroidery, using ribbon/tape and recycled fabrics.  It doesn’t have to be for a wedding or party though, you might just want it covering your house….!
Suitable for beginners and those with a bit of sewing experience.

• Class size limited to 5 people.
• 11am to 4pm.
• £40 payable in advance to confirm your space.

Sunday 29th April – Sewing Workshop
Want to come to a sewing class but can’t commit to a weekly session?
Come to this Sunday workshop and sew away to your heart’s content. Suitable for absolute beginners who want a kick start to their new sewing habit or more experienced sewers who want a bit more time to focus on a specific project.
Bring along a project you’re working on or would like to start and we’ll take it from there.

• Class size limited to 5 people.
• 11am to 4pm.
• £40 payable in advance to confirm your space.

Sunday 10th June – Pattern Cutting Workshop
Not sure if pattern cutting is for you?  Try this one day intensive 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 24th June – Customising Workshop
Had a spring clean?
Found lots of old clothes that could do with a bit of a revamp?
Bring them along to this workshop where I’ll show you some quick and easy ways to re-invent your old clothes and/or charity shop finds. Also bring some fabrics to use as the decoration, buttons, wool, ribbons, lace, anything you can lay your hands on! Some additional materials will be provided.
Suitable for all levels of sewing ability.

• Class size limited to 5 people.
• 11am to 4pm.
• £40 payable in advance to confirm your space.

All workshops take place at MIY Workshop, 33 North Road, BN1 1YB, in the North Laine area of central Brighton.

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 or 689108.  Look forward to hearing from you.

MIY Workshop takes shape

So, here’s the sign, logo, name for my new shop and here’s some of the progress being made over the last few weeks….

Amazing what a lick of paint expertly applied by Nicky (one of my students who also happens to be a decorating demon) can do!

Here’s the front room – now the “Sewing Room” complete with new screens, new lights, freshly painted, new cupboard doors and on site labourer (aka my dad!).

Labourer number 2 looking like he’s sawn off his thumb (luckily he didn’t)…..

….and the fruits of his labours in progress – some lockers in the “Cutting Room”.

And the view from the street.

So, MIY Workshop is on track for being open on Tuesday 10th January.  The first class will be Tuesday evening at 6.30pm.

There’s going to be classes and workshops as before, but more of them.  You will also be able to hire sewing machines and use of the 2.4m long cutting  table by the hour – I have 5 brand new Janome Sewist sewing machines, 2 brand new Bernina 1008 sewing machines and a Babylock embellisher.

You will also be able to become a member of MIY Workshop.

I’m working on a comprehensive timetable and price list as we speak.  Exciting isn’t it?!!

I hope to see some of you working on your creations soon.

 

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.

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.”

A new workshop!

On Sunday 15th May I’m trying out a new workshop – How to use your Sewing Machine.  A whole day spent getting to grips with the pesky things.  Learn some good habits, realise you need never get in a tangle again and give that sewing machine a little love.  It will reward you well.

The workshop will be limited to 5 people, runs from 11am to 3pm and costs £35.  Full details and how to book here.

If you’re still thinking about buying yourself a sewing machine, have a read of my guide on buying one here, come along to the workshop and borrow one of our machines, then you can go off shopping fully armed with all you need to know!

Sewing machines aren’t scary – you just need to know the best ways to use them.