One of the wonderful things about living in West Sussex is that there are four marvellous fabric shops in Chichester, one of which is Clothkits. The brand started in the late sixties was hugely popular with printed fabric patterns for children and adults alike – it was bought by a large company in the eighties and remained dormant for 17 years until Kay Mawer rescued it and opened the ClothKits shop in Chichester. It is absolutely wonderful, old patterns that brought back nostalgic memories of childhood sewing, combine with a beautiful vibrant collection of patterns that have brought the brand on trend for the current wave of stitchers.
So when this invitation from Cloth Kits arrived in my mailbox I could not resist
Become a SEWING BEE!
Professional Finishing Techniques for Dressmaking
Can you already sew?Join Maria Pulley and learn some top tips for turning your sewing into something to be proud of!
This hands on one day workshop will equip you with a bundle of professional techniques in dressmaking.
The course tutor Maria Pulley was an inspiration as soon as she stepped into the spacious workroom – she was wearing a wool dress of her own design that was beautiful and fitted her like a glove.
Maria began the course by asking us about our sewing skills and what we wanted out of the course – she was willing to adapt the course structure to meet our needs. We were quite a range of skills from beginner to more experienced, yet everyone was thrilled to be learning – and the work room was a buzz of enthusiasm.
The classroom environment was perfect: large, bright and cheery, each student (8 of us in all) had a machine to ourselves the aspects of the machine were explained to us so that we all felt confident. The large cutting out table gave another working area where Maria explained the techniques together with a huge box of material scraps for us to practise on. Instruction sheets for each technique that were very clear in by the end of the afternoon each student had completed samples to go with each hand out.
Closed seam – overlocked edge
Understitched facing on curved edge – the understitching does really make a huge different to the finish
Two curved edges – this technique is very useful for princess seams in particular
Open seam with top stitching along both sides
Piped seam these were beautiful and easy to accomplish
closed seam with top stitching – topstitching looks lovely but precision is key
French seam – right and wrong side these are useful in lingerie or sheer fabrics, or if you want to encase raw edges. They are a wonderful finish which makes a dress superior to off the peg garments.
Welt pocket / buttonhole – I have wanted to learn this technique for a long time, I simply adore the effect and it makes a button hole a feature.
I would recommend the classes, they are superb value, the class size was just right together with a constant supply of hot drinks kept us refreshed. I can’t wait to enrol for another course. Maria was a very talented seamstress and teacher. I have been sewing now for over 20 years, but I learned so much, Maria made sure everyone went home confident and enthusiastic.
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