26 August 2014

Workshops at Tilly and the Buttons HQ!

 sewing classes london

We are no longer running workshops at Tilly and the Buttons HQ.  We do have online workshops for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.  Take a look at our online workshops page for more information [updated 04 Sept 2019]

Wanna learn a new sewing skill? Fancy doing it in my gorgeous new studio? I'm excited to invite you to a sewing workshop at Tilly and the Buttons HQ!

I've been teaching sewing workshops for a while now (and designing courses professionally for ten years - phew!), and when I got my spacious new studio in South London I realised I could start offering them here too - hooray! As well as equipping you with new skills, the workshops are going to be awesome fun. They will have a friendly atmosphere, in a bright and inspiring studio-with-a-view (you can see the Shard, the Gherkin and the London Eye, as well as lots of trees!). If that wasn't enough, at the end of each workshop we will toast your achievements with a celebratory drink and you'll get a goodie bag to take home with you.

And I didn't want to teach them all myself... we've got some super duper special guest tutors lined up too. Are you sitting down? Zoe Edwards of Me-Made-May and So Zo... fame, and - all the way from Nashville, Tennessee - Lauren Taylor from Lladybird! If you read their blogs you'll know that they are wonderfully inspiring sewing teachers, as well as good for a giggle :)

Here's the list of workshops - click through for the full details of each one...


LEARN TO SEW 1: MAKE FRIENDS WITH A SEWING MACHINE
Saturday 4 October 2014 OR Wednesday 12 November 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

This workshop is perfect for anyone who wants to start using a sewing machine for the first time, or who hasn’t sewn in a while and needs a refresher.
  • How to set up and thread a sewing machine
  • Getting to grips with stitching – tips for straight lines, curves and corners
  • Sew a simple scarf to tie around your head, neck or bag 
  • Tips on getting into sewing – easy project ideas, essential tools and how to choose a sewing machine

Sunday 5 October 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

If you want to start making your own clothes, this workshop offers the perfect introduction with an easy-peasy pyjama bottoms project using the Margot sewing pattern. You’ll need to be able to use a sewing machine first – this is a great follow on class from our Make Friends With a Sewing Machine workshop.
  • How to start using sewing patterns and read their markings 
  • Techniques for cutting out fabric accurately 
  • The basics of clothing construction – including pinning, stitching seams and pressing 
  • How to sew pyjama bottoms, including drawstring and hem


Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 October 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

If you want to start sewing or are in need of a refresher, how about taking a crash course? This weekender combines our Learn to Sew 1 and 2 classes to get you off to a strong start. Spend Saturday afternoon getting to grips with the sewing machine and practising your new skills by stitching a simple scarf. Then on Sunday we'll get stuck into making pyjama bottoms from scratch, teaching you how to start using sewing patterns and constructing basic garments. Just think, on the Saturday morning you will have been a sewing novice, on the Sunday night you’ll be wearing your homemade PJs with pride!

Saturday 25 October 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

If you know how to use a sewing machine, have made a couple of simple projects (such as pyjamas, Miette skirt, cushions or bags), this workshop is the perfect next step into the wonderful world of dressmaking. It’s also great for quilters who are confident using a sewing machine but need a bit of help to start making clothes.
  • Take accurate measurements and understand sewing pattern sizing
  • How to make a cute A-line mini skirt using the Delphine pattern in Love at First Stitch 
  • Constructing a waistband with a facing
  • Techniques for inserting an invisible zip 
  • How to finish seams on your sewing machine using zigzag stitch


Sunday 26 October 2014
Teacher: Zoe Edwards of So Zo...

Do you own a favourite dress or perfect fitting jeans that you just wish you’d bought three of? Then this class is for you! Zoe will show you how to clone your favourite clothes and create a pattern that you can use to sew them again and again… and make them immortal!
  • The principles of creating a sewing pattern from your favourite clothing 
  • How to trace basic garment shapes 
  • Transferring darts, seams lines and other forms of shaping 
  • Replicating pockets and design features 
  • Adding grainlines, notches and other pattern markings

SEWING KNITS: MAKE A COCO TOP OR DRESS
Saturday 8 November 2014
Teacher: Zoe Edwards of So Zo...

This workshop is for you if you know how to use a sewing machine, if you’ve sewn a few projects and want a bit of help to start sewing knit fabric. While it may have a reputation for being scary, sewing with knits really isn’t difficult once you’ve learnt a few tips and tricks. And it’s soooo comfy to wear! We'll start you off using low-stretch knit fabric to make the popular Coco top or dress pattern.
  • How to cut out knit fabric without stretching it out of shape 
  • Tips and tricks for stitching knit fabric on a regular sewing machine 
  • Make your choice of Breton top, dress or sixties funnel neck using the Coco pattern 
  • How to stabilise and finish seams on knit garments


SEWING SKILLS: ZIPS + BUTTONHOLES
Teacher: Lauren Taylor of Lladybird.com

If you have basic machine sewing skills but inserting zips gives you nightmares and stitching buttonholes gets you in a flap, this workshop is the answer to your prayers! We’ll go through techniques, tips and tricks to stitch those fastenings with ease. With one of our favourite sewing bloggers – Lauren of Lladybird.com – leading this workshop, you’re guaranteed to have a fun evening as you learn.
  • How to insert an invisible zip 
  • Creating an impressive lapped zip 
  • Tips and techniques for stitching buttonholes - one-step (automatic) or four-step (manual)

Oh and we now do GIFT VOUCHERS! So you can give the gift of sewing... or drop a hint to your friends and family when your birthday is coming up :)

The studio is near West Dulwich and West Norwood stations, less than 10 minutes’ walk from West Dulwich station (12 minutes to Victoria) and West Norwood station (21 minutes to London Bridge), with good bus connections. It's a bright and inspiring space that I'm having a lot of fun settling in to at the moment - I'll give you the full tour very soon. Shout out to Janome for helping me kit out the studio - thank you!

If you've got any questions, take a look at the workshops FAQ as you'll probably find your question is already answered there. But if it's not, fire away. I hope to see you at a workshop soon!