AVID SEAMSTRESS WORKSHOPS
PRIVATE SEWING LESSONS with The Avid Seamstress (2 Hours)
£50.00
Every so often we all get stuck with our current sewing project. Regardless of how long you have been sewing or even if you can’t use a sewing machine at all, sometimes we all would appreciate that expert in the room to show us what to do.
Our 1-2-1 Workshops are designed to cater to what you need.
Your two-hour session will help you get to grips with what’s troubling you, support you in making amazing progress with your project, or the beginning of your journey in learning how to sew AND leave you with the confidence to continue on your own.
Once you have booked your session we will plan and tailor the time together to focus on the areas that you would like to develop.
Recent 1-2-1 workshops have included:
- Learning to use a sewing machine
- Learning how to use an overlocking machine
- Reading and understanding a sewing pattern of your choice
- Tackling a particular part of a pattern/sewing project such as sleeves or zips
- Learning how to create beautiful buttonholes
- Making one of our Avid Seamstress patterns under our expert guidance
Day, evening and weekend times are available.
Adult and children’s lessons available.
Once your workshop is booked we will get in touch to confirm the date and time or this can be pre-agreed before booking.
TEACHER
Our founder, Lisa Falconer, has been an avid sewist since childhood. She loves to spend time in her studio developing sewing patterns and teaching the incredible art of sewing.
Lisa’s mantra is “enjoy the whole journey; she will teach you how to enjoy each stage of creating a garment, from preparing the fabric, pinning and cutting to finally sewing. Each of these are integral parts of the process, and she loves to inspire an appreciation for each of these stages. She’ll teach you essential skills, tips and tricks, and you’ll have a great time along the way.
Venue:
The Avid Seamstress. First Floor, High Lea Business Centre, Witchampton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AA. For more info on our venue click here
Policies
By booking a workshop you are agreeing to our Workshop Policy, Covid Policy and T&Cs
If you have any questions please email hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk
SOCIAL SEWING SATURDAYS - Various Dates Available
£30.00
Let’s sew together! We’re opening our doors for Social Sewing Saturdays - an opportunity to bring your projects and sew along with like-minded crafters.
Unlike a class or workshop, this is the perfect chance to work on a project of your choice and sew in a relaxed, social setting in the company of others. There will be sewing chat, tea, and of course, cake! Our sewing patterns, haberdashery and small range of fabric will be available to purchase and you can chat with our founder, Lisa about the other fun workshops we have.
What’s included?
- Full use of the studio and equipment including large tables, irons, scissors, pins etc
- Sewing machines are available, but you are more than welcome to bring your own
- Use of our two overlockers - please note that one will be set with black thread and the other cream thread.
- Tea and coffee on tap
- CAKE
With a maximum of 6 people, this will be a relaxed and joyful way to spend your Saturday.
Please note this is not a class, this is an opportunity to bring a project you are working on. If cutting out your project is likely to take a lot of time, you may want to cut it beforehand so you can just have a wonderful Saturday of sewing! Lisa will be there and will be able to offer sewing tips and advice along the way.
Time
The studio will be open from 10am - 5pm
How to book
Choose the date from the dropdown menu.
Venue:
The Avid Seamstress. First Floor, High Lea Business Centre, Witchampton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AA. For more info on our venue click here
Policies
By booking a workshop you are agreeing to our Workshop Policy, Covid Policy and T&Cs
If you have any questions please send us an email at hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk or use our handy contact form here
LEARN HOW TO USE A SEWING MACHINE & SEW A CUSHION - KIT INCLUDED (Beginner or Refresher) - Various Dates
£45.00
This class will introduce aspiring stitchers or those who need a refresher on how to use a sewing machine.
In this comprehensive workshop, you'll get sewing machine-savvy and leave with a gorgeous sewn cushion, plus enough knowledge and confidence to start making your own projects at home.
A kit worth £15 will be provided in the workshop which includes the fabric, cushion pad & cushion pattern for you to keep.
Morning and afternoon sessions are available. Please click the dropdown menu for available dates.
What will I learn?
- Learn the different functions of the sewing machine
- Threading the machine
- Winding a bobbin
- Tension
- Changing a needle, needle position, needle size
- Mastering sewing machine speed control
- Sewing straight lines, curves and corners
- Sewing seams (understanding seam allowance)
- Finishing seams and reverse stitching
- Using a seam ripper
- How to use the overlocking (serging) stitch on a sewing machine
- Top-stitching
- Care of your machine and troubleshooting
- Machine safety
Sewing machines:
Various sewing machines will be provided, however, we promote people bringing their own sewing machines. If you are bringing your own sewing machine, please email hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk after booking so that we can confirm your machine is suitable. If you bring your own machine, please bring an empty bobbin for the machine and all the parts that came with the machine. Don’t forget the foot pedal and cords.
Skills needed: This class is designed for absolute beginners or those that need a refresher.
Teacher: Lisa Falconer
Our founder, Lisa Falconer, has been an avid sewist since childhood. She loves to spend time in her studio developing sewing patterns and teaching the incredible art of sewing.
Lisa’s mantra is “enjoy the whole journey; she will teach you how to enjoy each stage of creating a garment, from preparing the fabric, pinning and cutting to finally sewing. Each of these are integral parts of the process, and she loves to inspire an appreciation for each of these stages. She’ll teach you essential skills, tips and tricks, and you’ll have a great time along the way.
How to book
Choose the date from the dropdown menu.
Venue:
The Avid Seamstress. First Floor, High Lea Business Centre, Witchampton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AA. For more info on our venue click here
Policies
By booking a workshop you are agreeing to our Workshop Policy, Covid Policy and T&Cs
If you have any questions please send us an email at hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk or use our handy contact form here
OVERLOCKER #1 - INTRODUCTION TO OVERLOCKING (Beginner) - Various Dates
£45.00
One space left for "Introduction to overlocking" - more dates coming soon.
Join us to learn how to love your overlocker (or one of ours) and use it with confidence.
This 3-hour course is aimed at those that have recently purchased an overlocker or those who have one that is still in its box! If you are thinking about buying an overlocker but don't have one yet, you are welcome to use on of ours to try it out.
What will you learn
- threading a 4 thread overlocker
- change needles
- enable/disable the knife
- adjust the tension
- use the differential feed for different stitches
- clean and maintain your overlocker
- use your overlocker accessories and different feet
You will leave with a number of samples of overlocking on woven and stretch fabric and the knowledge with which to use your overlocker with confidence. You can then join our follow up workshop Overlocker #2 - Make A Garment With Your Overlocker to make your first garment using your overlocker or do both courses in one day. We'll provide a discount should you wish to join both workshops.
What you need to bring
You will need to bring with you your overlocker and power cable, a printed copy of your overlocker manual, and your overlocker accessories.
Overlocker sewing machines
We suggest that you bring your overlocker machine so that you can learn how to use it. There is free parking and it's a short walk to the studio so don't worry about carrying it (we can help too). We have two machines that can be used should you not have an overlocker machine and joining the workshop to try one out before you buy. This machine is on a first come first serve basis so it's important that you email us before booking to see if they are available - hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk
What will be next after attending this workshop?
Once you have joined this workshop you can attend our follow-up workshop making your first garment with your overlocker in our OVERLOCKER #2 Make A Garment With Your Overlocker workshop.
Both courses in one day!
We have both of these courses running on the same day. Should you wish to join both courses, you'll receive a 15% discount (new price for both £89.25) and can also use our payment plan for workshops priced more than £65. Please see here for the details and how to book the double workshop with a payment plan.
How to book
Choose the date from the dropdown menu. Select this course on its own or join the full-day course (discount already allocated in the price).
About your teacher
Penny Follows has been teaching for a number of years at John Lewis, RayStitch and from her studio in Chesham. Penny was fortunate to be taught to sew at school by two enthusiastic teachers and also at home by her mother and two grandmothers. She started to make her own clothes at aged eight. Penny now makes bespoke clothing for her clients when she isn't teaching.
Venue
The Avid Seamstress. First Floor, High Lea Business Centre, Witchampton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AA. For more info on our venue click here
Policies
By booking a workshop you are agreeing to our Workshop Policy, Covid Policy and T&Cs
If you have any questions please send us an email at hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk or use our handy contact form here
OVERLOCKER #2 - MAKE A GARMENT WITH YOUR OVERLOCKER (Beginner) - More dates coming soon
Sold Out
- choose the right size to make
- pin and cut out jersey fabric
- how to sew a seam on your overlocker
- how to apply a ribbing to neck and sleeve hem
You'll need to bring
You will need to bring with you your overlocker and power cable, a printed copy of your overlocker manual, and your overlocker accessories, plus fabric and haberdashery.
You will need to bring:
- Fabric - we'll confirm what you need to bring when you select your garment choice.
- Matching Thread - remember that you will need enough cones for your overlocker. There will be some sewing machine sewing which you can either do in the workshop or at home. Please bring one reel for a sewing machine. The thread for your overlocker should be specific overlocker thread or Moon threads from Coates. Thread for the edgestitch is whatever works well on your sewing machine - I use GUTTERMAN Sew All thread which is polyester.
For fabric we suggest Merchant and Mills, Frumble, Sew Me Sunshine, Like Sew Amazing
For ribbing we suggest Merchant and Mills, Frumble
Overlocker sewing machines
We suggest that you bring your overlocker machine so that you can learn how to use it. There is free parking and it's a short walk to the studio so don't worry about carrying it (we can help too). We have two machines that can be used should you not have an overlocker machine and joining the workshop to try one out before you buy. This machine is on a first come first serve basis so it's important that you email us before booking to see if they are available - hello@theavidseamtress.co.uk
Both courses in one day!
We have both of these courses running on the same day. Should you wish to join both courses, you'll receive a 15% discount (new price for both £89.25) and can also use our payment plan for workshops priced more than £65. Please see here for the details and how to book the double workshop with a payment plan.
How to book
Choose the date from the dropdown menu. Select this course on its own or join the full-day course (discount already allocated in the price).
About your teacher
Penny Follows has been teaching for a number of years at John Lewis, RayStitch and from her studio in Chesham. Penny was fortunate to be taught to sew at school by two enthusiastic teachers and also at home by her mother and two grandmothers. She started to make her own clothes at aged eight. Penny now makes bespoke clothing for her clients when she isn't teaching.
Venue
The Avid Seamstress. First Floor, High Lea Business Centre, Witchampton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AA. For more info on our venue click here
Policies
By booking a workshop you are agreeing to our Workshop Policy, Covid Policy and T&Cs
If you have any questions please send us an email at hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk or use our handy contact form here
SEWING WEEKEND - Weekend workshop - 10 & 11 Sept
Sold Out
If you’re looking to take the first step into dressmaking, this is the perfect place to start.
This workshop is tailored to beginners, so if you’ve dabbled on a sewing machine and you’re ready to take the next step into dressmaking, you will learn everything you need to know to move forward on your sewing journey.
We are pleased to offer a payment plan for workshops priced more than £65. Please see here for the details and how to book this workshop with a payment plan.
What you will learn
With our expert guidance, you will learn a number of techniques that you can take forward for all your sewing projects. This will include how to:
- Measure yourself accurately and choose the right size
- Cut out a sewing pattern
- Decoding pattern symbols and jargon
- Fabric tips - how to fold the fabric and follow a layplan
- Learn to pin the pattern to the fabric
- Transfer pattern notations
- Accurately pin and cut the fabric
And then onto sewing, you will:
- Learn to sew accurately, creating your garment
- Receive personalised support
- Have a great time sewing with others!
You can choose to make one of the following sewing patterns which you'll get to keep:
- The Pyjama Bottoms or Trousers - make a comfy pair of pyjamas or make a gorgeous relaxed day trouser.
- The Drop Sleeve Top - one of our most popular sewing patterns due to it's versatility and great fit.
There is a maximum of 6 students in this workshop (plus 2 teachers). This means you’ll enjoy lots of time, expert support, and a relaxed environment to learn in.
About The Pyjama Bottoms
The Pyjama Bottoms is the perfect first sewing pattern for anyone taking their first steps into the world of dressmaking. The Pyjama Bottoms are full-length and have a relaxed fit with an elasticated waistband, side seam pockets and a tie front created with an optional buttonhole or mock tie. Sizes UK 6- 22
About The Drop Sleeve Top
The Drop Sleeve Top is a gorgeous top with easy to set-in sleeves, a round neckline and a loose boxy shape, designed to be easy to put together and fit most shapes. Sizes UK 6- 22
WORKSHOP DETAILS
This workshop has been set over 2 days so that we can really focus on teaching you some amazing skills and not rush. We would like you to enjoy the process of creating a garment. You’ll pick up so many incredible tips and tricks that you can use for all your future projects.
For the first day, we’ll get through all the preparation and start the first stages of sewing. In the second part of the workshop, you’ll complete your garment and are free to leave when you are finished or can continue using the machines to stitch something else until the end of the workshop.
If you join this workshop and wish to move to the second beginner's workshop - The Drop Sleeve Top - we will provide a 15% discount code for you.
Timings 10h00-17h00 each day with a break for lunch. On the second day, you are welcome to leave once you have finished your garment or carry on stitching something else until close. We'll provide tea & coffee and cake each afternoon.
Should you be travelling far and need suggestions for local hotels, please contact us at hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk
Class size The class size for this workshop will be a maximum of 4. Each person will have their own space to work from and will be provided with a kit (paper & fabric scissors, pencil and measuring tape) to use in the workshop.
Please note that we need a minimum of 4 for this workshop to go ahead.
Skills needed This workshop is aimed at those who have basic sewing skills and have used a sewing machine. This is not a class for absolute beginners. You should be able to thread the sewing machine, wind a bobbin with thread, as well as use the machine to make basic stitches such as a straight stitch. This workshop is perfect for those that haven't created their own garments or would like to create their first garment, picking up great tips along the way.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
Sewing machines Various sewing machines will be provided, however, we promote people bringing their own sewing machine.
Supplies Needed
- Fabric
- Thread to match fabric
- Buttonhole presser foot if bringing your own machine
- We'll provide 3cm wide elastic, iron-on interfacing, safety pin and a buttonhole presser foot for our machines.
Fabric If making a pair of pyjama's, light to medium weight woven fabrics: cotton lawn, flannel, brushed cotton, cotton fleece or fabric that is soft & breathable with natural fibres work well. We currently have the same fabric as in the main image if you'd like to purchase it on the day.
If making a pair of trousers, use a light to medium weight woven.
TEACHER - Lisa Falconer
WORKSHOP BOOKING DETAILS
Venue
The Avid Seamstress. First Floor, High Lea Business Centre, Witchampton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AA. For more info on our venue click here
Policies
By booking a workshop you are agreeing to our Workshop Policy, Covid Policy and T&Cs
If you have any questions please email hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk
SEWING WEEKEND - Weekend Workshop - (Intermediate) - Sat 8 & Sun 9 Oct 2022
£120.00
Join us for a fun weekend sewing with The Avid Seamstress.
Choose one of our sewing patterns and come and make it under our expert guidance. This is an intermediate sewing workshop so you'll be able to choose from:
- The Blouse
- The Raglan Dress or Top
- The Gathered Dress
- The Culottes
- The Day Dress
Click here to view our sewing patterns which will provide more info on each one.
You'll receive your own printed sewing pattern and, in some cases, be able to try on the sample before the workshop.
We are pleased to offer a payment plan for workshops priced more than £65. Please see here for the details and how to book this workshop with a payment plan.
Class size
The class size for this workshop will be a maximum of 5. Each person will have their own space to work from and will be provided with a kit (paper & fabric scissors, pencil and measuring tape) to use in the workshop.
Sewing machines are available but we suggest that, if possible, you bring your own sewing machine to this workshop.
Please note that we need a minimum of 3 for this workshop to go ahead.
Workshop timings
This workshop will take place over two days so that you can really take your time and create a beautiful garment. The first day will start at 10am and finish at 530pm. The second day will start at 9.30 and then finish when your garment is complete.
We’ll have a break for lunch and a lovely selection of cakes will be offered in the afternoon.
Should you be travelling far and need suggestions for local hotels, please contact us for suggestions.
What you need to bring:
- Your fabric cut out and ready to sew. We can help you with fabric choice and fitting before the workshop.
- Matching thread
- Your own set of pins
- Pencil and rubber
- Fabric chalk
Sewing machines:
Various sewing machines will be provided, however, we promote people bringing their own sewing machines. If you are bringing your own sewing machine, please email hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk after booking so that we can confirm your machine is suitable. If you bring your own machine, please bring an empty bobbin for the machine and all the parts that came with the machine. Don’t forget the foot pedal and cords.
Venue:
The Avid Seamstress. First Floor, High Lea Business Centre, Witchampton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AA. For more info on our venue click here
Policies
By booking a workshop you are agreeing to our Workshop Policy, Covid Policy and T&Cs
If you have any questions please email hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk
VIRTUAL LESSON (price per hour)
£30.00
Every so often we all get stuck with our sewing project and would love to have someone to talk it through. However, with Covid restrictions, locations, or time zones it can be hard to get to an in-person lesson.
Our virtual private lessons are designed to cater to what you need. We'll connect via Zoom or Whatsapp Video to help you get to grips with your project.
Examples of what can be covered:
- Learning to use a sewing machine
- Reading and understanding a sewing pattern
- Tackling a particular part of a pattern/sewing project
- Making one of our Avid Seamstress patterns
Day, evening and weekend times are available. Adult and children’s lessons available.
Each lesson is one hour.
If you are unsure of how long you need or whether we can help you, please email hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk and we can work together to find a solution.
Once your workshop is booked we will get in touch to confirm the date and time .
TEACHER
Our founder, Lisa Falconer, has been an avid sewist since childhood. She loves to spend time in her studio developing sewing patterns and teaching the incredible art of sewing.
Lisa’s mantra is “enjoy the whole journey; she will teach you how to enjoy each stage of creating a garment, from preparing the fabric, pinning and cutting to finally sewing. Each of these are integral parts of the process, and she loves to inspire an appreciation for each of these stages. She’ll teach you essential skills, tips and tricks, and you’ll have a great time along the way.
Corporate
WHOLESALE & STOCKISTS
THE DROP SLEEVE TOP
Newsletter
Join The Avid Seamstress community today and be the first to hear about new releases, helpful tips and tricks, and special offers. You’ll also receive The Drop Sleeve Top digital sewing pattern completely free.