The Sewing Annexe

miffy257

Enjoy your machine mrbrightside, let us know how it goes.
Happy Sewing all.:)

gibson123

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

Yes, they were great when they emailed back, thanks! I went with the SMD one. It arrives tomorrow, very excited! I'm trying to get some fabric to sew with, but finding it really expensive. Are there any decent places to look for fabrics on?

A bargain bundle for Akhaban fabrics gives you a good starter pack of fabrics, the difficulty is trying to decide what to make with what.

http://www.abakhan.co.uk/fabric/bargain-bundles-rolls.html

miffy257

Hi there sewing people, hope you are having a good time with your machine mr brightside. I am just starting an 11 day holiday and am hoping to do lots of quilt-making, even though I have 23 reports to write and tidying the house and garage to accommodate DD's stuff when she returns from Uni next Saturday :eek: have started a small single bed sized quilt for my great-niece, it is very pink, her favourite colour. Hope everyone is busy sewing. Happy Sewing all.:)

Sandollar_2

I hope no one minds me posting here but as there seems to be a range of sewing abilities here I thought this might be the best place to ask.

First let me say I have no formal sewing qualifications but I was lucky enough to have a mum who was very good a dressmaking and I developed a love for most sewing/craftwork.

I have been asked to try and develop a series of 3 hour workshops and a 10 week basic sewing course through the auspices of our local regeneration project. The idea is to take people who have no sewing skills and teach them how to do simple things like taking up/letting down a hem, replacing a broken zip, sewing on a button etc.
If you were coming to such a class what would you
a. expect to learn
b. want to learn

Any thoughts and ideas welcomed.

gibson123

Sandollar wrote: »

I hope no one minds me posting here but as there seems to be a range of sewing abilities here I thought this might be the best place to ask.

First let me say I have no formal sewing qualifications but I was lucky enough to have a mum who was very good a dressmaking and I developed a love for most sewing/craftwork.

I have been asked to try and develop a series of 3 hour workshops and a 10 week basic sewing course through the auspices of our local regeneration project. The idea is to take people who have no sewing skills and teach them how to do simple things like taking up/letting down a hem, replacing a broken zip, sewing on a button etc.
If you were coming to such a class what would you
a. expect to learn
b. want to learn

Any thoughts and ideas welcomed.

That's the type of project i learned to sew with.

First of all you need to recognise that the motivation for attending may be a free creche (if one is provided) and some adult company, so keep it light hearted and fun. You may also attract a whole lot of different levels, from beginners to "lapsed" sewers.

Everyone is different, so some people will want to learn the stuff you have already put here, as well as how to thread a machine, how to sew straight, using zig zags etc.

but people will also want to make some simple cheap easy things from scratch as well.

Some cheap ideas to get started are:

Bibs - made from cheap face cloths and cotton backing with sew on snaps (they cost nearly £5 each in the shops)

Mobile phone covers.

Tote-bags

Hope this helps

BitterAndTwisted

I think the sort of people looking at a course like that are already motivated and keen to learn, so I'd be wanting to know about different fabrics and their attributes, and why some fabrics are more appropriate for being made into certain types of things. How to decode a paper-pattern. What different stitches are and why you'd use them. The taking up of hems and the sewing on of buttons seems to be a mystery to many so I'd definitely include some simple running-repairs-type lessons like the ones you mentioned. Maybe some hints and tips on customising things people already have to get them started.

I remember the first thing I made at school was a nightie from a paper-pattern. Fairly easy and straightforward but so very satisfying to see the finished article all pressed and looking lovely. Do people still do tacking these days?

miffy257

I would agree with everything gibson and bitter and twisted have said. I think it's great to do this course as there are so many people who do not know how to sew. Hope everyone involved has a good time.Happy sewing all.:)

mrbrightside842

miffy257 wrote: »

Enjoy your machine mrbrightside, let us know how it goes.
Happy Sewing all.:)

Thank you! It's here and I'm dying to get properly started!

gibson123 wrote: »

A bargain bundle for Akhaban fabrics gives you a good starter pack of fabrics, the difficulty is trying to decide what to make with what.

http://www.abakhan.co.uk/fabric/bargain-bundles-rolls.html

Thank you! A teacher at school asked where our nearest one of these is, as she's from further away, and I'd not heard of them. Will check it out.

miffy257 wrote: »

Hi there sewing people, hope you are having a good time with your machine mr brightside. I am just starting an 11 day holiday and am hoping to do lots of quilt-making, even though I have 23 reports to write and tidying the house and garage to accommodate DD's stuff when she returns from Uni next Saturday :eek: have started a small single bed sized quilt for my great-niece, it is very pink, her favourite colour. Hope everyone is busy sewing. Happy Sewing all.:)

We've just broken up too, so I'm hoping to get some things sewn, in between planning! People at school are already asking me to make them bags and dresses, I think it'll be a while before they get them!

mrbrightside842

joedenise wrote: »

I find a very good source of material is charity shops. I tend to buy curtains, bedding etc and then either use them as intended or cut up to make dresses, skirts, tops etc depending on fabric.

Denise

Fab idea, will have to get hunting!

newleaf wrote: »

Pleased you got sorted out, happy sewing!
Here are a few favourite links for fabrics.
http://www.cheapfabrics.co.uk/thestore/index.php
http://www.croftmill.co.uk/
http://www.myfabrics.co.uk/
http://www.remnanthouse.co.uk/index.php
I've used all of these for various types of fabric and they are all reliable with good quick service.
Also recommend you joinn the sewing forum if you have time, lots of experienced sewists to get advice and help from, and they are very friendly.
http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/index.php

Lovely sites, thanks! I'll pop over and join the sewing forum now - I think I'll be needing a lot of help!

jpscloud

I'm off for a week too! Looks like a lot of us work in education (and hence we are all utterly mad - or maybe I'd better just speak for myself )

After a 7 week half term I really need this break. Traditionally I would spend it gardening, and might do... but I may also make a start on clearing the spare room ready to do up. I'm also planning a bit of sewing, or possibly working on the rag rug project.

Have a great holiday everyone!