Beginners Sewing Day

Learn as you sew in this relaxed but comprehensive one-day beginners sewing workshop. Do you have an unloved sewing machine at home and want to put it to use? Have you been inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee? Would love to try making your own clothes? Then this is the workshop for you!

We’ll go over the parts of the sewing machine, what equipment you need (and don’t need!) and how to set up the machine and your workspace ready to sew. We’ll help you create your very first stitches and over the day you will complete several projects which will equip you with all the skills you need for your next sewing projects! The day includes all your materials and teaching in a small group with experienced, knowledgeable and friendly tutor, Freya.

Morning project: make a needle case and an envelope cushion cover. Afternoon project: create a useful shopping bag to carry your sewing kit or store projects in. Freya will demonstrate and explain techniques and you will get plenty of individual help through the session.

You will learn how to: Set up the sewing machine and what all the parts are; troubleshoot issues (tension, thread snapping, tangling, skipped stitches); select stitches; use machine guides to sew correct seam allowances; bagging out technique; topstitch; sew through thicker layers; create a button and loop closure; cut various weights of fabric and felt; follow sewing instructions; create neat French seams; insert straps; create boxed out corners; add an optional patch pocket.

Please note: we encourage you to bring your own sewing machine if you have one so you can practise using it, but if that’s not possible we can provide one for an additional £5. Please add this to your cart at time of booking if you will need to hire a machine on the day.

About the tutor: Freya Gilbert is the owner of Crafty Sew and So and has been sewing for almost 20 years. She teaches beginners sewing and develops sewing patterns and subscription boxes.

Further information: Participants must be aged 14+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times. This one-day workshop starts at 10:30am and ends at 4:30pm with a short break for lunch. Our café will be open or you are welcome to bring your own refreshments. If the workshop is sold out we operate a waiting list — contact the box office on 0116 252 2455 or arts-centre@le.ac.uk. Courses/workshops are non-refundable if cancelled within 21 days of the start date.