Getting to know your sewing machine

Another one as part of the Folk House Summer School, this time learning how to use a sewing machine and making simple cushion cover to practice the skills. This included pattern cutting, sewing straight lines and button holes! Next class is 5th November at the Folk House, contact them for details.

Some cushions in progress:

Finished ones:

Felt Making workshop

Another in the series of summer school workshops this week at the Bristol Folk House, this time felt making. Most of the group were completely new to felt making and came away with some amazing results. 

No more classes planned this year at the moment, however I will be running an 8 week course in the new year at Backwell School. It's Monday evening 7 -9 pm and starts on 23rd Jan 2012 (half term break 13/2/12)

We began with a basic square of felt and then tried of variety of techniques including creating straight edges, pockets, nuno felt, cobweb, felt balls and tubes (for making buttons)

A selection of the finished work from the day:

Free Machine Embroidery & Applique

This week as part of Bristol Folk House Summer School I have run 2 free machine embroidery taster workshops. Most people that attended had tried any before and all came away with good control of the machine and lots of ideas and samples.... and the desire to do more!

Speaking of which I will be running longer day sessions and 2 six week courses later in the year, again at the Folk House, contact them for booking and further details 0117 926 2987: 

Day Classes:

Sat 10th September 10- 4 £26.50, concessions available

Sat 10th December 10- 4 £26.50, concessions available

Six Week Course:

Mondays 5.30 -7.30 starting 31st October £70.25, concessions available

Wednesdays 7.45 - 9.45 starts 14th Sept, although I think this one may be full already.

The images show a mix of the 2 classes and a variety of samples produced on paper and fabric.

Summer School - Clutch Bag Workshop

Today was the first day of the Folk House Summer School (and the first of 11 workshops over 9 days for me). We made a lovely 1920's style clutch bag, taken from a lovely vintage bag book. The pattern has a bow on it, but only one person chose to make this, others choose beads, buttons and those who had a bit more time made fabric corsages which can not only be used on their bags but on anything they like! 

The next class will be on 1st October 10-4 £29, concessions available http://www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk/ for details.

A selection of the bags made...

The colours in this one are great, as is the detachable brooch flower

Some images with the linings showing, these were also used in making the brooches

Tomorrows class is 'Free Machine Embroidery and Applique', hopefully have some good pictures of what everyone makes in this taster session.

Schools workshops

I have been working on a project this term with Norden Farm centre for the Arts in Maidenhead, which has involved delivering sessions to many Madienhead primary schools. Quite an ambitious project as I have an hour to work with a full class on an activity that is different to what they would normally do in school and link to their current curriculum learning. I have done 9 sessions in 2 days recently!
We have worked with wire, collage and shrink plastic, a few images to demonstrate just some of the thing we made! I'm hoping to get involved with this project again next year, I'm enjoying the challenge with so many limitations.

Wire work based on insects and small creatures with year 4

Shrink plastic mobiles with year 1, 4 of these in one day... so much fishing wire and knotting!

Skirt in a Day Workshop

'Skirt in a Day' came round again, this time in Reading, some really lovely examples here.

All beginners, or hadn't sewn for a long time  or 'did it on school' and look what they made; they should be very proud.  3 made reversible skirts which you can see (2 here), and the other had a lovely bias bound edge.

Next Bristol date 22nd October at Bristol Folk House 0117 926 2987

I was really lucky to work with a group of friends here, so got to see them wearing their skirts that evening!

There was another one too which i'll post a photo of when I have it, really lovely, but you'll have to take my word for it for now!

Recycled Fabric Accessories

Been meaning to put these up for a week or so, images from my last Recycled Fabrics: Accessories class at Bristol Folk House. Next class is 4th August 10 - 4 during the summer school, Book through them on 0117 926 2987 (£29 concessions available). Also one on 26th November.
We tried a whole range of techniques and most people came away with at least 3 finished things!

 

These are just a few of the many things created, some really great fabrics used and everyone came up with something completely different.