ABOUT THE COURSE
Upcycle pre-loved clothing or favourite fabrics to make beautiful coiled fabric baskets. A great way to keep some of your children’s favourite outfits they’ve outgrown or your partner’s favourite old shirts and turn the materials into a decorative basket of memories for your home. In the morning you will learn hand-stitching techniques to create the fabric coiling and in the afternoon you will start a second basket using a sewing machine or continue with hand stitching if you prefer.
The results obtained with hand-stitching and machine stitching are very different and both will be covered in the course of the day. In the morning, we will look at the fabrics everyone has brought and discuss their suitability. The tutor will advise on threads and needles and you will prepare some fabrics for your first handstitched sample. In the afternoon you are welcome to continue with hand-stitching if you do not feel confident with a sewing machine. Otherwise, you will practice the stitch sizes suitable for a machine-stitched basket and start to make a second basket. You will be amazed how quickly a machine-stitched basket will grow! The tutor will bring some additional fabrics to incorporate into your project if you would like them.
The results obtained with hand-stitching and machine stitching are very different and both will be covered in the course of the day. In the morning, we will look at the fabrics everyone has brought and discuss their suitability. The tutor will advise on threads and needles and you will prepare some fabrics for your first handstitched sample. In the afternoon you are welcome to continue with hand-stitching if you do not feel confident with a sewing machine. Otherwise, you will practice the stitch sizes suitable for a machine-stitched basket and start to make a second basket. You will be amazed how quickly a machine-stitched basket will grow! The tutor will bring some additional fabrics to incorporate into your project if you would like them.
THE COURSE WILL GIVE YOU
- Knowledge about the best fabrics for making baskets, suitable threads and needles
- Skills in preparing fabrics and cords for stitching
- Skills and experience in how to make a coiled fabric basket using both hand-stitching and machine sewing techniques, shaping handles and decorative additions
- You will take home with you the fabric baskets you have started, with enough cord to finish them.
- Reminder sheets for both hand stitching and machine stitching baskets and on suitability of various fabrics and cords; hints and tips on techniques and suitable fabrics.
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR
Beginners. Previous experience of sewing and using a sewing machine would be helpful.
WHAT TO BRING/WEAR
- Your own sewing machine, capable of zig-zag stitch
- Denim needles for your machine (more than one in case of breakage)
- Strong needles for hand-sewing
- Your own dress/shirt-weight fabrics: a couple of shirts or dresses will give you variety although you are unlikely to use all of the fabric
- Threads to match or team with your fabric choices and for hand-sewing this needs to be buttonhole thread or embroidery thread
- Fabric scissors and small embroidery scissors or thread-snips
- A notebook and pencil
- Lunch is available from the on-site Beech Cafe, or you may choose to bring your own.
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Nancy Shafee is a member of Surrey Hills Enterprises, Crafts Council, Heritage Crafts Association, Surrey artists, Wey Valley Workshop, International Feltmakers Association, Textile Society and Oxshott Arts & Crafts. She has been making coiled baskets for about twelve years. She started teaching when her tutor moved onto weaving and asked Nancy to take on her basket making workshops. Nancy says ”Making memory baskets is a wonderful way to remember favourite clothing or events and certainly more useful that hoarding outgrown garments or collected fabrics!”
www.flights-of-fantasy.com
www.flights-of-fantasy.com
Check Out Accommodation
You can get 10% discount when you stay with us during your course for 2 nights or more in our campsite or eco lodge. Please call us on 01730 823166 to make your accommodation booking. Our reception is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
