Author Archive | Alison Warner

Setting Up A Sewing Machine

By Alison Warner on January 10, 2021 in Beginners, How To Use A Sewing Machine, Online courses and classes, Uncategorized

Not started

module 1 – Welcome

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module 2 – Winding Bobbins and Threading your Machine

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module 3 – Starting To Sew

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finger pointing at sewing machine needle

module 4 – Maintenance and Resources

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module 5 – The complete video

In this online course you can work through the modules and lessons at your own pace. Re-watch modules as needed and dip in and out of whenever you need a little reminder.

If you like our tutorial please do drop us a line at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com or better still leave us a review on Google or Facebook. Thank you

Lampshades for everyone

By Alison Warner on October 31, 2019 in Home Furnishings, Uncategorized

Table lamp on side table with tea and plant

Make yourself a stunning no sew laminate lampshade, these are great for updating and changing your décor quickly and easily and once you’ve made one you will want to go home and make more! In this class we will show you how to achieve a professional finish using a laminate lampshade kit. you will get to make a 30cm round drum lampshade.

Skill level- Beginner

Topics we aim to cover

Measuring correctly
Cutting Accurately
Achieving a professional finish

What you will need to bring

Included in the cost of the class is the 30cm Drum lampshade kit

You will need 50cm of 140cm wide fabric, a lightweight craft cotton works best for your first attempt. Please don’t bring any heavy weight upholstery fabrics. We don’t sell fabrics in our workshop but we do have a limited amount of remnants if you don’t have time to find anything.

Tutor

Aly Warner or Jenny Frazer

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

Stitch a House Portrait

By Alison Warner on October 7, 2019 in Free Motion Machine Embroidery, Home Furnishings, Uncategorized

Black and white stitched picture of buckle cottage

Using Free Motion Machine embroidery during this workshop you’ll learn all the different stages of making a house portrait and will walk away with your very own framed stitched portrait of your own house or favourite building. Why not make one as a special gift such as a wedding present a new home or special Birthday or indeed just for yourself. This course would be most suited to people who have done machine embroidery before (like our beginners workshop!)

All materials are included

We will require an image of your building to be e mailed to us one week prior to the class to allow initial preparation for the class, please send this to hello@bobbinsewingschool.com

Tutor Meg Harris

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

Jolly Deer Wall hanging

By Alison Warner on November 19, 2017 in Accessories, Home Furnishings, Seasonal Sewing, Uncategorized

This cheery Deer is bound to make you smile, make one for your home in your own chosen fabric, use a lightweight furnishing, craft cotton corduroy or light wool he could look great in tweed. Make him with a red nose for the festive season. This is the perfect class if you enjoy or want to have ago at toy making. We provide a pattern and instructions for you to use again and again.

Skill level- Confident Beginner

The topics we aim to cover

Shaping and sewing in 3D

Hand finishing

What to bring to the class

50cm of your chosen fabric at least 115cm wide, thread to match

40cm x 40cm of contrast fabric for the antlers ( we have a box of fabrics you are welcome to sort through and use) or twigs look great as an alternative

Two buttons approx size of 20p for eyes and two for nose (we have jars of buttons you can look through)

We supply stuffing and felt for noses

We have sewing machines for you to use but if you would like to bring your own that’s fine

Maximum number on class -5

Tutor

Aly Warner

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

Coco Dress or Top

By Alison Warner on October 19, 2017 in Dressmaking Projects

Never sewn Knits before? then this is the perfect starter – Make your own Coco, the perfect Breton top or knit dress with multiple variations. Coco is easy fitting, with no zips, buttons or other fiddly bits. The perfect introduction to sewing knit fabrics on a regular sewing machine, We supply you with the pattern which includes user-friendly instructions so you can go away and make lots more

A year-round staple that’s so easy to wear, Coco makes a great spring marinière top, summer tunic, autumn funnel neck or cosy winter dress. Designed for low-stretch knit fabrics, the classic style features a boat neckline, choice of top or dress lengths, three quarter length or long sleeves, with side splits at the hips on the top version. Make it your own with optional sixties funnel roll neck, rolled cuffs and patch pockets.

Skill level- Confident Beginner /Intermediate

The topics we aim to cover

To teach you the skills you need when dealing with stretch knit and Jersey Fabrics
Learn what measurements you need to take
Cut out a commercial pattern
Read a pattern
Understand terms used
Cut your fabric correctly
Methods of putting your garment together
Tips on which seams to use and where
Correct pressing techniques
Professional finishing hints and tips

What to bring to the class

Fabric:
– Dress with funnel neck + cuffs – 2.3m x 150cm wide (2 1/2 yards x 60in) OR 3m x 115cm wide (3 1/4 yards x 45in)
– Plain dress – 2m (2¼ yards) x 150cm (60in) wide OR 2.7m (3 yards) x 115cm (45in) wide
– Top with funnel neck + cuffs – 1.8m (2 yards) x 150cm (60in) wide OR 2.7m (3 yards) x 115cm (45in) wide
– Plain top – 1.5m (1¾in yards) x 150cm (60in) wide OR 2.2m (2½ yards) x 115cm (45in) wide

If you prefer your Dress knee length please add 20cm to the total for wide fabric and 50cm for narrower fabric

Matching thread
Ribbon (30cm x 6-8mm wide) or stay tape
Stretch or ballpoint needle for your sewing machine

Matching thread
Ribbon (30cm x 6-8mm wide) or stay tape
Stretch or ballpoint needle for your sewing machine

Matching thread
Stretch or ballpoint needle for your sewing machine

We have sewing machines for you to use but if you would like to bring your own that’s fine

Maximum number on class -4

Tutor

Aly Warner

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

Beginners 3 day Get into Sewing Course

By Alison Warner on May 10, 2017 in Beginners, Dressmaking Courses & Sewing Cafe

This complete beginners sewing course will set you of on new crafting adventures

Day 1- We will complete the How to Use a sewing machine class and make a tote bag to keep our sewing projects in along with a cute pin cushion.

Day 2 – We will create some useful samples that can be referred to in the future, these will include seams hems and hand and machine sewing techniques.

Day 3 – We will start the day finding out about pattern terms and then cut out and make up a pair of pj bottoms

Skill level- Complete beginner

AIMS OF THE COURSE

To teach you the skills you need to become confident with using a sewing machine and following simple patterns and make some simple projects

What to Bring to the class-

You may wish to bring your own Sewing Machine if you have one

All materials are provided for this course

Please bring a packed lunch tea and coffee provided

Classes start at 10am and finish at 3.30pm.

Tutor

Aly Warner

Date/Time	Class	Cost	Spaces
18/08/2022 - 20/08/2022 10:00 am - 3:30 pm	Beginners Get into Sewing Course Stable 2, The Vine, Stockbridge Hampshire	£185.00	1

How to Use your Overlocker

By Alison Warner on September 13, 2016 in Beginners, Dressmaking Projects, How To Use A Sewing Machine

The ever scary overlocker, if you own one and feel its missing its potential, bring it along to this class and we will spend some time discussing and practicing the different stitches and techniques available on your machine and then we will put them into practice and make a simple T shirt.

Class level – Intermediate, you will have sewn other easy to make garments and have good basic sewing knowledge. Have access to and be able to bring your own overlocker to the class along with the manual for the machine.

The topics we aim to cover are:

We aim to cover the points on the list below. Depending on how many questions you have, we may not get a chance to cover everything – please let us know if there is something specific you really want help with before you leave if we don’t cover it in the class.

We aim to teach you the skills you will need to improve your overlocker use. You will make an easy to wear Tshirt using your overlocker and samples that can be referred to in the future All fabrics are included for the class

Specifically you will learn;

Overlocker techniques
Stitches and how to change them
Using stitch and tear interfacing
Attaching a continuous neck band
Working with different fabrics
The Overlocker rolled hem

What you need to bring to the class:

An Overlocker and any accessories you have
Your overlocker manual (important)

Maximum class size 4

Tutor

Aly Warner

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

Free Motion Machine Embroidery Lampshade

By Alison Warner on January 26, 2016 in Free Motion Machine Embroidery

Create a conversation piece for your home. Say goodbye to sewing rules and try your hand at rule-free doodling and sketching – in thread! You will spend the first part of the morning practicing Free Motion Machine Embroidery before working on your design and in the afternoon make up your final piece into a 30cm drum lampshade that can be used as either a pendant lampshade or added to a lamp base.

Skill level -This class is a confident beginners level, but we do recommend that you feel confident with a sewing machine and practice of a little Free Motion Machine Embroidery at beginners level would be an advantageous before undertaking this class but not compulsory as we lead you gently into it throughout the workshop.

The topics we aim to cover in this lesson are:

Setting up your machine for FME
Tools required for FME
Thread sketching
FME & Applique
Stabilizing / hooping
Fabric choice and preparing your fabric
Thread choice
Needle choice
Transferring designs
Where to ﬁnd inspiration
Applications for FME
Great practice ideas
Resolving issues
Learning good FME habits

Making a lampshade from a laminate kit

All materials to practice and make up the lampshade will be provided by us for this class including a 30cm drum lampshade kit, please bring along any pictures for inspiration if you wish.

We have sewing machines you can use but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

2 day Dressmaking

By Alison Warner on June 23, 2015 in Dressmaking Courses & Sewing Cafe, Dressmaking Projects

Two days of dressmaking suitable for anyone that can use a sewing machine and wants to add to their wardrobe. Many commercial patterns have tricky to follow instructions and the best way to improve is to keep adding to and practising your sewing techniques. The class is small and allows your tutor plenty of time to give advice and show techniques that will help you gain a successful result. Choose a pattern according to your previous abilities, bare in mind this is a short course of only 12 hours so simple dresses, tops and bottoms would be best .

Skill level- If you know how to use a sewing machine and have completed small craft projects and simple dressmaking you will be at a skill level to partake in this course. Please bare in mind your ability when choosing your pattern. As with all projects some take longer than others so you may wish to finish off at home.

AIMS OF THE COURSE

Read a pattern

Learn how alter a commercial pattern to your requirements

Understand terms used

Methods of putting your garment together

Tips on which seams to use and where

Correct pressing techniques

Professional finishing hints and tips

What to Bring to the class

You will need to bring a pattern of your choice, if possible please choose a multi size pattern. Commercial pattern sizing tends to work out smaller than dress sizes of ready made clothing so please check to ensure your basic measurements fall within the size range on the pattern. (When measuring yourself for this, bring a tape measure around your waist, hips and bust and pull tightly enough to get an accurate measurement don’t add anything for ease.)

Fabrics – Please choose the fabric quantities as advised on your pattern envelope according to your size

All notions requested on your pattern

Tutor

Aly Warner

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

Little Girls Sundress

By Alison Warner on March 26, 2015 in Children & Teens, Dressmaking Projects

Summer and pretty cotton fabrics go together like strawberries and cream. Make your little girls summer by creating gorgeous traditional sundresses. We have chosen a dress that has a shirred elastic bodice top – this will teach you a couple of extra skills rather than just creating a simple dress (a little more challenging) and allows for growing room!

The topics we aim to cover are:

Learn how to cut accurately
How to finish edges
Using shirring elastic
Attaching straps
Different hems

Materials needed:

Ideally you should bring along a cotton/cotton blend fabric.

Assuming fabric widths of 115cm
Age 2 – 50cm fabric
Age 4 – 90cm fabric
Age 6 -130cm fabric
Age 8 – 140cm fabric
1 x 10m reel if shirring/sewing elastic
1 reel of thread to match or contrast your fabric

Tutor -Aly Warner

Sorry, we don't have any classes planned currently. To register your interest please email us at hello@bobbinsewingschool.com.

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