LEARN TO USE (AND LOVE) YOUR OVERLOCKER - Sat 7 October 2023
Sold Out
If you are looking for a workshop that will teach you the ins and outs of your overlocker, you are in the right place. Spend the day at our gorgeous studio with Amanda from Cotton Onto Sewing demystifying these incredible machines.
Amanda has created an incredible workshop and with her wealth of experience, seamstresses all over the country are falling in love with their overlockers and feeling super confident threading and understanding how they work.
All you need is your overlocker (and lunch), even if it's still in the box and untouched. We'll provide everything else you need on the day and you will leave with a folder full of samples and knowledge.
What we'll cover in the day:
Morning Session
- Introduction
- Amanda's overlocker samples and how an overlocker works
- Threads, needles and knives
- Looking at the overlocker
- Changing a thread colour
- 4-Thread
- 3-Thread
- Stitch finger
- Rolled hem
- Width adjuster
- Turning corners
- Circular sewing
- Tieing off ends
- Unpicking an overlocked stitch
Lunch and then Afternoon Session
- Sewing with stretch
- Guides on your machine
- Differential feed
- Decorative hemming
- Flat locking
- Pressure dial
- Cleaning your machine
- Changing back to your thread
- Presser feet
WOW, yes we fit this all into one day. Amanda has rave reviews for her workshops and we are super excited to host these overlocker workshops with Amanda.
Overlocker machines:
We have one machine that can be borrowed at a first come first served basis. If you do not have an overlocker, please email us at hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk to see if our one is available. Otherwise, please let us know the make and model of your machine once booked.
Skills needed: This class is designed for absolute beginners or those that need a refresher.
Teacher: Amanda - Cotton Onto Sewing
Amanda is on a quest to become the Queen of Overlocking and, with the incredible reviews we have heard about her workshops, we believe she already owns the title. Amanda spent 13 years working at a clothing alteration shop and learned incredible sewing skills. She then branched out to become self-employed and launched Cotton Onto Sewing. Amanda has an incredible energy and passion.
Timings:
10am - 430pm
Tea, coffee & water plus biscuits/fruit will be provided. Please bring lunch as there are no shops nearby to purchase lunch. You are welcome to keep your food in our fridge and use our microwave.
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
Related Items
PRIVATE SEWING LESSONS with The Avid Seamstress (2 Hours)
$71.18
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
Trouser Fitting Masterclass Sat 9 & Sun 10 September 2023
$407.67
Got the technical skills pinned down, but perfecting that fit causing you issues? This trousers masterclass is dedicated to perfecting your fitting technique, giving you the skills to apply to all your trouser projects hereon. Taught by our Avid Seamstress pattern cutter, Tamara, this 2 day course will give you the skills to adapt your trouser patterns to fit YOU.
Common trouser fitting issues:
- Lengthening/shortening crotch
- Lengthening/shortening rise
- Full tummy adjustment
- Swayback
- Full/flat seat adjustment
- Waistband adjustments
- Calf / thigh adjustment
- Leg adjustments
You can choose one of the following Avid Seamstress sewing patterns: The City Trousers or The Culottes to obtain a perfect fit.
Over the course of two days you will learn :
- Taking accurate measurements
- Making a muslin/toile
- Evaluating fit
- Fitting adjustments
You’ll make a muslin/toile and then be able to make further adjustments to your pattern and make a final toile perfected for you. In between making toiles and fitting, students will be able to enjoy the beautiful Avid Seamstress studio. Please note that this is a fitting workshop and you will only be making the garment out of toile fabric. The focus for this weekend is fit. You’ll take home a pattern that has been adjusted to fit you perfectly.
If you wish to sew the trousers with you us you can join a Sewing Weekend and we'll provide you with a 15% discount voucher to redeem against the Sewing Weekend cost.
What’s included:
The workshop includes a kit to use in the fitting masterclass. Please note that these are to use during the workshop only. We will have some tools available to purchase on the day.
- Printed sewing pattern
- Pattern paper for adjustments
- Toile fabric
- Paper & fabric scissors
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- Pattern notcher
- Set square
- Tracing wheel - Raidle
- Awl
- Meter ruler
- Curved set square
- Magic tape
- Self healing mat
- Drill
We are pleased to offer a payment plan for this workshop. Please contact hello@theavidseamstress.co.uk if you would like to set up a payment plan.
Class size
The class size for this workshop will be a maximum of 6. Each person will have their own space to work from.
About your teacher - Tamara Green
Coming from a fashion family its was inevitable that Tamara would follow in their footsteps. Growing up in the 80’s, Tamara would accompany her father to delivery his patterns to all the factories in the East End of London, igniting her love for pattern cutting.
Having worked in the industry for over 20 years and for both high street and designer brands, Tamara's excellent pattern cutting has formed the foundation for The Avid Seamstress sewing patterns that you have love.
Working with our founder, Lisa, turning her designs into patterns, Tamara's passion for clothes and fit is evident in our great fitting garments.
Workshop timings
This workshop will take place over two days starting at 10am and finishing at 5pm.
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. We suggest that hotels are held on a fully refundable basis through Booking.com This avoids any disappointment if the workshop is cancelled out of our control.
What you need to bring:
- Sewing machine (or borrow one of ours)
- Haberdashery - sewing pins, fabric marker or chalk, unpicker, 250m reel of thread
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
SEWING WEEKEND - Weekend Workshop - Sat 16 & Sun 17 September 2023
Sold Out
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 workshop covers all levels of sewing - we have students making their first garment to seasoned sewists making coats and blazers. With two teachers supporting at every step you'll enjoy the journey of making your garment, learning many techniques and having a really good time too!
You can make:- The Blouse
- The Everyday Shirt
- The Pyjama Bottoms (these are great day/evening trousers too)
- The Raglan Dress or Top
- The Gathered Dress
- The Culottes
- The Day Dress
- The Coat
- The Blazer
- The City Trousers
- The Sun Dress
- The A-Line Dress
- The Sheath Dress
- The Wimborne Coat
Click here to view our sewing patterns which will provide more info on each one.
You'll receive your own printed sewing pattern in advance 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.
Levels All sewing levels are welcome. We have a varied group of levels on this workshop and you will get ample tuition time.
Class size
The class size for this workshop will be a maximum of 8. Each person will have their own space to work from.
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 unless you are a beginner as you will do this part with us. If you are unsure please get in touch. 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
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.