Workshops

Introduction/Back Story: –

You will just love these Scandinavian inspired Christmas decorations. In this workshop, experienced teacher, and designer Gary Mills, will carefully guide you through the processes of making these adorable reindeer. Once Gary has shown you the construction process you will soon be making your very own to add to your festive theme.

In the beautiful setting at Come to Quilt, you have the large airy studio space, this is such a great opportunity to enjoy the company of others while you sit and sew in a covid safe environment. Group size limited to 6 at present, and your temperature checked on arrival.

What You Will Learn in this Workshop: –

This workshop takes you through selecting combinations of fabrics that work and give a simple yet sophisticated style. Keeping the combinations simple yet stylish. Gary has chosen oatmeal-coloured linens mixed with Nordic printed cottons in red and white.

You will learn cutting out from the supplied pattern and then constructing through simple machine stitch with stage-by-stage instruction. Then turning through and stuffing your reindeer; finally adding the details to give him or her character through stitch and decoration. Collected twigs and sticks to compliment and finish the reindeer keeps in synergy with the ethos of Scandinavian life; that of experiencing nature and bringing the natural environment into your home.

This finished reindeer is 12” (30cm) high

Skill Level for this Online Workshop:

e.g., Beginner / Intermediate / advanced: –

The skill level for this project would suit all, from the beginner who would like to learn with simple, clear, achievable instruction, to those who are more experienced who will quickly grasp the construction process and will probably not just make one reindeer, but probably a whole herd by the end of the session.

Fabric & Haberdashery requirements for this Online Workshop: –

As mentioned above, select your fabric to create the ‘Scandinavian style’

Consider natural linens and cottons, washed calico in creams and oatmeal colours.  Printed cottons in red and white Nordic or even Christmas themed patterns can be used.

Consider any found or treasured vintage embroidered and old lace fabrics which you would not mind cutting up and incorporating into your design. Such as old and worn table linen and interior fabrics. These make for great little interesting personal touches within the body of the reindeer.

For each reindeer you will need:

• Total fabric for body, ears, and tail 24” x 16” (60cm x 40cm) (additional sections such as printed fabrics and vintage fabrics can measure 6” x 7” (15cm x 18cm)
• Polyester toy stuffing 2.5 oz or 75g
• Good quality neutral coloured sew-all machine thread
• For eyes and nose embroidery thread in black and red
• For legs 4x found and cut from the hedgerow straight sticks / twigs 6” (15cm) long by ¼” (5mm) in diameter
• For antlers 2x exceptionally fine forked twigs up to 7” (18cm) total length and 2/8” (2mm) in dimeter  
• Optional: fine red ribbon ¼” (5mm) wide 10” (25cm) long
• Optional: small bell for tying around the neck as an additional decoration to the reindeer

Note: you will probably have time within the session to start or fully make a second reindeer so have additional fabrics and materials to use.

Equipment requirements for this Workshop: –

• Good quality sew-all machine thread: in cream or beige
• Sewing machine (please do check your machine is in good working order before the class)
• Fabric, paper, and embroidery scissors
• Pins
• Hand sewing needle
• Tape measure
• Useful: fabric marker pen
• Useful; chop stick or similar blunt stick for aiding the stuffing
• Fabric and embroidery scissors
• Sharp kitchen scissors or garden secateurs for trimming twigs and sticks 

Introduction/Back Story: –

You will just love these Christmas decorations of a snowman character. In this workshop, experienced teacher, and designer Gary Mills, will carefully guide you through the processes of making these adorable figures. Once Gary has shown you the construction process you will soon be making your very own to add to your festive theme.

In the beautiful setting at Come to Quilt, you have the large airy studio space, this is such a great opportunity to enjoy the company of others while you sit and sew in a covid safe environment. Group size limited to 6 at present, and your temperature checked on arrival.

What You Will Learn in this Workshop: –

Gary has chosen bright bold blocks of colour to work in contrast to the white of the snowman.

You will learn cutting out from the supplied pattern and then constructing through simple machine stitch with stage-by-stage instruction. Then turning through and stuffing your snowman and making his accessories. Finally adding the details to give him or her character through stitch and decoration. Collected twigs and sticks to compliment and finish the arm.

This finished snowman is approx. is 12” (30cm) high

Skill Level for this Online Workshop:

e.g., Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced: –

The skill level for this project would suit all, from the beginner who would like to learn with simple, clear, achievable instruction.

Fabric & Material requirements for this Workshop: –

• For the body 24” x 20” (60cm x 50cm) good quality white cotton sheeting or fine linen
• Hat & Present Sack 12” x 16” (30cm x 40cm) Red polyester or pure cotton
• Scarf and applique heart motif 30” x 3” (75cm x 8cm) in a red & white themed print polyester or pure cotton
• For applique 3”x 3” (8cm x 8cm) small square of fusible adhesive such as bonda web or you can use fabric glue
• 3 x ½” (15mm) red decorative buttons
• 1x ½” (15mm) white pompom or similar for the end of his hat
• For a carrot noise you need 1” x 1” (2cm x 2cm) orange felt or similar type of fabric
• 2x thin twigs for arms 5” x 1/8^th thick (12cm x 5mm)
• Polyester toy stuffing 4oz or 110g
• Red, Cream & Black decorative sewing thread such as cotton Perle or DMC thread
• White & Red machine thread

Equipment requirements for this Workshop: –

• Sewing machine (please do check your machine is in good working order before the class)
• Fabric, paper, and embroidery scissors
• Pins
• Hand sewing needle
• Chop stick for aiding stuffing
• Tape measure
• Useful: fabric marker pen
• Useful; chop stick or similar blunt stick for aiding the stuffing

Introduction/Back Story: –

Join in a festive themed online class to embroider this adorable ‘Rudolph’ appliqué reindeer in a 3-hour workshop. 

This workshop shop with tutor Gary Mills is a ‘skills bomb’ of processes for you to learn, he will demonstrate and guide you through this Christmas version of his popular, “Draw, Stitch and Paint” workshop.

The outcome could be a Christmas decorate wall hanging, would make a great panel for a festive quilt, or even a cushion centre, Gary will discuss with you any ideas that come up through this workshop.

In the beautiful setting at Come to Quilt, you have the large airy studio space, this is such a great opportunity to enjoy the company of others while you sit and sew in a covid safe environment. Group size limited to 6 at present, and your temperature checked on arrival.

What You Will Learn in this Workshop: –

Tailored for everyone, from the beginner to those more experienced. You will learn the skilful art of firstly transferring the image, then how to use heat transfer bonded adhesive for appliqué of fabrics.  Using free motion machine embroidery, it is a great start to get to grips with these addictive skilled processes; you will even learn some hand tinting with colour watercolour paints to finish off your outcome.  This class is full of little cheats and how-to tips to get the best results from both yourself and your sewing machine.

Skill Level for this Online Workshop:

e.g., Beginner / Intermediate /: –

Gary has many years’ experience as a professional practitioner and teacher of textiles; his workshops are so enjoyable, fun, and very well organised with his clear and patient guidance. This workshop is suitable for all; if you are a beginner this is a great project to learn and understand the processes of bonded applique with addition of free motion stitching for decoration. For those more experienced and advanced you can further hone your skills by working on improved accuracy and artistic ability to achieve a first-class professional finish.

Fabric & Material requirements for this Workshop: –

Fabrics supplied in materials charge

Please bring good quality machine thread in colours: black and mid brown

Equipment requirements for this Workshop: –

• Sewing machine with an embroidery or darning foot attachment with a new needle size 12-14 (Gary does have spare darning feet if you require)

• Small sharp embroidery, fabric scissors and small paper scissors
• Pins
• A soluble fabric marker pen is useful.

• October 1st
• 15th
• 16th Sewing Bee
• 20th Christmas Wonky House Table Runner
• 23rd Overlocker
• November 5th Christmas Cards
• 13th Sewing Bee
• 19th Sit and Sew
• to book on please contact Julia directly [email protected]
• If you have any problems call us 01823 240041and we will pass your query on.

Introduction/Back Story: –

A seascape of balmy summer days on the beach captured in textiles by experienced tutor Gary Mills. The outcome can easily be adapted in your own future projects to personalise your own memory of this summer. Once completed, learn how to mount, and frame your work in a simple supplied box frame. Gary has also added in some found beach shells and sea glass which loosely tumble within the frame for an added playful finish.

In the beautiful setting at Come to Quilt, you have the large airy studio space,

this is such a great opportunity to enjoy the company of others while you sit and sew in a covid safe environment. Group size limited to 6 at present, and your temperature checked on arrival.

What You Will Learn in this Workshop: –

Techniques covered in this workshop are using masked off hand painted sections on canvas, applique strips of found and dyed fabrics, free machine, and hand embroidery to add details and then finished with bead embellishments.

Skill Level for this Online Workshop:

e.g., Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced: –

Workshop would suit someone with some sewing machine experience although a beginner in free motion machine embroidery.

Fabric & Material requirements for this Workshop: –

Supplied in material cost

Equipment requirements for this Workshop: –

Those attending need to bring a general needlework / sewing box to include:

Needles

Scissors

Pins

A fabric marker / pen may be useful.

A selection of good quality machine threads in white, dark grey, and two colours of blue.

A sewing machine with a darning/ embroidery foot (Gary has spare feet if required) Please have spare machine needles size 12-14. Please check that your sewing machine is working well; therefore, do run off some stitches on a scrap of fabric prior to the start of the session

Introduction/Back Story: –

Learn how to use a subtraction cutting method to produce a very contemporary and yet stylish draped top to suit any figure.

This method of using the negative space for cutting, is a taster workshop which has been inspired by the creative works by fashion designer Julian Roberts and his hollow construction approach to garment design which can be later applied to make men’s and women’s fashion garments.

As an introduction to this skill, this one-day workshop is appropriate for anyone who would like to have a go at making a contemporary and stylish garment using an alternative approach to pattern making.

During the class you will be given the opportunity to create your very own draped long top, which could be worn over simple t-shirt and trousers

In the beautiful setting at Come to Quilt, you have the large airy studio space, this is such a great opportunity to enjoy the company of others while you sit and sew in a covid safe environment. Group size limited to 6 at present, and your temperature checked on arrival.

What You Will Learn in this Workshop: –

With an initial demonstration of the basic principles of subtraction cutting.

Those attending this workshop will then develop their own sized toile (mock-up in calico) from a simple basic body block and then working through pattern development to achieve a fully finished unique garment (dress).

Further consideration will include detailing and fastenings.

Throughout the workshop you will be using a sewing machine for construction.

Skill Level for this Online Workshop:

e.g., Intermediate

This one-day workshop is appropriate for those with some experience in garment construction.

Fabric & Material requirements for this Workshop: –

Each attendee must bring along:

• 1 metre of medium weight calico to make their toile and for adjustment of pattern
• 2 meters of no less than 120cm wide suitable fabric such as a good weight wool or linen or cotton drill (we won’t be working in jersey or any stretch fabrics at this time) any questions on suitability of fabrics you can email Gary prior to the workshop
• You will need either extra dress fabric or contrast fabric approx. 25cm -50cm wide to make bias binding for binding arm holes and neckline.

Equipment requirements for this Workshop: –

• You will need sharp fabric scissors
• Paper scissors
• Dress making pins
• Snips or similar small scissors for trimming threads
• Suitable good quality dress making machine sewing thread (not quilting thread)
• A tape
• A sewing machine needle size 12-14 (bring spare needles and please make sure your machine is working order prior to the workshop)

Important: consider what you are going to wear on the day? As you will need fitting and putting toiles and garments over your head for adjusting, therefore consider a close-fitting t shirt or similar