MAKE YOUR OWN RAFFIA HAT - Two Day Workshop - Friday 21 & 28 May
£90.00
Join us for a relaxing two-day workshop making your own beautiful raffia hat.
The spring sunshine should be giving us a hint of the summer ahead and you should take the time to get ahead with your own hat. So, get ready for the sun in 2021 or those essential travels that we are all in need of by making your own raffia hat, in a choice of styles and definitely in your size.
This is an essential item for your sun-wardrobe and is also great for packing and even swimming in…. The styles are classic and will complement many summer or garden occasions, and can be easily personalised with your own finishes to individualise them even further.
There are three style options available at the workshop, but no decisions are necessary before the workshop and all styles will be available to view at the workshop.
You will learn:
- How relaxing and flexible raffia is to work with;
- How the raffia can be dyed (you work only with natural raffia on the workshop);
- How to sort the raffia, and prepare it for plaiting;
- Plaiting the raffia – right- and left-hand methods shown;
- Trimming and preparing the raffia for sewing;
- Sewing the raffia to your hat block;
- Creating the brim of your hat;
- Finishing the brim to the style of choice;
- Pressing the hat for final finish and decorating
Besides the hats for the workshop, you will see how adaptable raffia can be for other accessories, perhaps a bag to complement your hat? Absolutely no previous raffia skills are necessary, this is a workshop which is great for complete beginners. Only basic sewing skills are necessary too.
Claire will provide written instructions for all students and will also advise on some further finishes that you might like to consider, e.g. lining your bag.
Skill level:
Complete beginners to raffia craft are very welcome, suitable for all.
What you need to bring with you:
- All raffia will be provided for the course and is inclusive in the price.
- A hat block in the correct size will be available to use, and can be purchased if students wish
- A pair of comfortable sharp scissors that are probably your ‘go-to’ scissors, probably need to be smaller rather than large.
- A thimble if you like to use when you are sewing
Class Size
The class size for this workshop will be a maximum of 5. Each student will then have sufficient space to work. Please note that we need a minimum of 5 for this workshop to run.
Workshop Timings:
Each day will begin at 10.30am and finish at 15.30pm, this will allow time for students to work at a comfortable pace. There will be time to take a break for lunch too, and coffee and tea will be ‘on tap’.
Please note that there will be some basic work that you need to complete at home before the second day of the workshop – but you will have full instruction throughout.
About Your Teacher:
Claire has been teaching raffia craft for over 25 years. She learned her craft from a visiting Australian in 1993 and since then has been hooked. Claire exhibits at a number of major and regional events where her focus is on passing on her enthusiasm for raffia. Claire’s work can be found on Facebook and Instagram ‘allthingsraffia’ She lives in Christchurch, Dorset.
Venue:
The Avid Seamstress Studio. 20 Island Centre Way, Enfield, EN3 6GS. For directions and venue information please click here.
Please read our WORKSHOP POLICY and COVID POLICY.
By booking on 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
Related Items
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
Lisa teaches the Beginners workshop, The Drop Sleeve Top workshop, The Blazer workshop plus the private sewing lessons whether in person or virtually.
VENUE
Lessons take place at our gorgeous studio in Enfield, North London:
- Free on-site parking
- Tesco & pharmacy
Driving.
Satnav EN3 6GS
Train.
The nearest train station is Enfield Lock, 25 minutes from Liverpool Street.
Bus.
Travel by bus from Enfield Lock station.
Taking the bus is an easy 8 minute journey, just 4 stops from Enfield Lock station.
On leaving the bus stop (labelled B) take the 121 towards Enfield Island Village. Disembark at the fourth stop; Canal Side Walk. Cross the bridge over the canal and come into the units – we are located in the courtyard at number 20.
Any questions email hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk or call Lisa 07983 413 929
Virtual Private 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
Lisa teaches the Beginners workshop, The Drop Sleeve Top workshop, The Blazer workshop plus the private sewing lessons whether in person or virtually.
MAKE A BEAUTIFUL BLOUSE - FULL DAY
£145.00
Join us for a fun day making one of our most popular sewing patterns, The Blouse.
Every woman‘s wardrobe needs that go-to top that is stylish and easy to wear. Our sewing pattern, The Blouse, is such a versatile make you‘ll be wearing this all year round. Made using lightweight fabrics, The Blouse offers an alternative option to the traditional shirt.
With an elegant stand collar and three-quarter length sleeves, The Blouse is loosely fitted providing practical ease and comfort for your day-to-day activities while being chic enough to wear in the evening or at the weekend.
The Blouse is made without darts and includes a button placket, collar and elasticated cuffs making it ideal for confident beginners looking to sew their first blouse.
What you’ll learn
Believing strongly in the importance of preparation, Naomi will teach you sewing skills that can use in all your future sewing projects, such as:
- how to lay a pattern correctly
- a great pinning method
- applying interfacing including the garment industry’s method of ‘block fusing’
- the importance of cutting correctly and cutting skills
- seam allowances and how to use your sewing machine for accuracy
- perfect set-in sleeves
- constructing and sewing a mandarin collar
- creating beautiful buttonholes
Naomi will teach you how to fully cut and construct The Blouse showing you lots of tips and skills that you can easily use in all your sewing projects.
You’ll have the opportunity to try on our Blouse toiles to see the fit before you start cutting the sewing pattern. We’ll cut out the pattern, fabric and sew this beautiful garment together under the expert eye of your teacher, Naomi.
Pattern sizes - UK 6 - UK 22
Skill level - Students must be proficient at using a sewing machine and have some basic sewing skills.
What you need to bring:
- 2m of lightweight woven fabric of your choice (cotton lawn, rayon, crepe etc) – if you need help choosing a fabric please contact us at hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk. Please don’t choose a fabric that is difficult to work with. Once you have made The Blouse you can always make it again in a more difficult fabric.
- Matching thread
- 8 matching buttons (9mm)
- 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 machine. 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.
Suggested Fabrics:
Perfect in cottons and other lightweight fabrics that are soft. Viscose is fine if you are confident sewing with this fabric. We are happy to help you select fabric.
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.
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 4 for this workshop to go ahead.
Workshop Timings:
The day will begin at 10am and finish at 6pm to allow you plenty of time to make the garment and have a break for lunch.
Should you be travelling far and need suggestions for local hotels, please contact us for suggestions.
Teacher Bio:
Naomi Skull is a self-taught seamstress who runs a small bridal dressmaking and alterations business from her home in Guildford. She has been a patron at many a sewing course over the years, so understands what students need and will benefit from. Most recently she studied Bridalwear at London College of Fashion. Naomi currently teaches students of all different levels from basic sewing skills to more advanced dressmaking techniques. She has a real passion for passing on the skills that she has learned over the years and seeing the joy that sewing and creating can bring to anyone, no matter what age or experience they have.
Venue:
The Avid Seamstress Studio. 20 Island Centre Way, Enfield, EN3 6GS. For directions and venue information please click here.
Please read our WORKSHOP POLICY and COVID POLICY.
By booking on 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
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.