Beginners Sewing Day

Been watching the Great British Sewing Bee and fancy giving it a try? Had a sewing machine collecting dust and need a little help to get started? This is the workshop for you!

We'll start at the very beginning with a full run through of 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 course of the day you will complete several projects which will equip you with all the skills you need for your next sewing projects! 

The beginner’s full day workshop includes all your materials and equipment and teaching in a small group (maximum 10) with knowledgeable and friendly tutor, Freya Gilbert.  In the morning you will make a needle case and an envelope cushion cover. In the afternoon you will create a useful shopping bag to carry your sewing kit or store projects in. 

You will learn:

How to set up the sewing machine

What all the parts are

How to troubleshoot any issues – tension, thread snapping, tangling, skipped stitches and much more!

How to select stitches

How to use the guides on the machine to sew correct seam allowances

"Bagging out" technique.

Topstitching

Sew through thicker layers of fabric

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

Option to add a patch pocket 

You have the choice to bring your own machine or use our machines – we’ll contact you once you have booked to ask which you prefer to do. Freya will demonstrate and explain techniques throughout the day and you will get plenty of 1:1 help when you need it.

Tutor Frey Gilbert is the owner of Crafty Sew & So, and has been sewing for almost 20 years, creating her dream wardrobe, homewares and accessories.Freya loves teaching people to sew, sharing her obsession and creating handmade joy. As well as teaching her award-winning beginners sewing and craft workshops, she develops sewing patterns and kits.

Participants must be aged 18+.

This full day workshop will start at 10:30am and end at 5pm, with a break for lunch. Our café will be open or you are welcome to bring your own refreshments.

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us (near De Montfort Hall).