Make/Do

Rainbows 🌈 lightning and flowers.

The modern stitch sampler. The Sewing Club were challenged to use as many different embroidery stitches as they could, and create a fun design to hang on their wall at home.

I was so proud of how they went for it and had a go at new things. They excelled themselves.

We've had a really fun term. I have a few projects yet to show you...

Blocking out the stresses of the world today, sewing these roman blinds with the back doors open.

My Sewing club girls are embracing the revival of 90's fashion and begged me to make scrunchies with them...

What are your memories of 90's fashion?
Body's anyone !

I'm really enjoying running a sewing&craft club at a local primary school. A fun group of girls who get stuck into making.

We spent a happy hour cutting triangles, which some then decorated with sparkles or stitch, to sew onto ribbon to make bunting for their school coronation celebration picnic lunch.

Next week: scrunchies...

Making coronation bunting for a lady who couldn't make it to the current Get Sewing course, but knew that meant she'd miss out on making the bunting in session 1.

OK, it's a bit of a fiddle with all the cutting, turning out and ironing, but basically we're just sewing straight lines so it's a perfect starter session for the first time you get the machine out of the box. Lots of practice at starting and stopping sewing, guiding the fabric, turning corners...

And we are all going to need bunting up for May 6th. Any excuse...

Anyways wondered what half the squiggles were on the front of your machine?
Or how to use the myriad of attachments that came with it?
Or how to work out what exactly is going on when the thread loops up in funny places when you sew?

Class 5 of Get Sewing is a whistle stop tour of your machine in all its glory
- having a go at every setting and stitch,
- trouble shooting what could go wrong when sewing on your own,
- trying out various techniques,
- & giving you ideas for what to use each one for.

It's exhausting and inspirational in equal measure!

Follow the link in bio to read more about Get Sewing and to book on one of the the next courses, starting 18th or 21st April in Sonning Common

Get Sewing, a 5 Week beginners sewing machine course, starts after the Easter holidays, getting you from Zero to Hero in 5 sessions, including making some coronation bunting, zipped bag and a summer top.
Choose from the 5 week course on Tuesday evenings or Friday mornings
To book either contact me on niki{at}makedosewco.co.uk or book on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/make-do-sew-co-59709238253

4 weeks ago these students hadn't even got their sewing machine out of the box.

They are now confidently sewing their own clothes.

Getting to know their own sewing machine over 5 sessions means they can use most of the settings, trouble shoot any issues that pop up, and get over the initial fear and paralysis of sewing for the first time. They are now happy to just give things a go, try out ideas and choose their own fabrics.

I'm so proud of them all.

Was really sad to have to cancel this week's class due to Covid, so here's a throwback to what the ladies achieved in Week 2 of Get Sewing: putting in a zip!

Zips can seem like a big thing, but it's actually really simple when you take it step by step.
It helps to have a zipper foot for your machine (though this bag is doable without)

The Tote bag is a classic Week 1 Get Sewing project. Lots of straight lines to practice the basics of the sewing machine.

And they each took it home to finish adding the straps (it is so fiddly and time-consuming turning those straps the right way out...) and this was the result!

And Get Sewing is underway!
Cakes baked, coffee brewed... In just 2 hours beginner sewists go from clueless to clued-up and these fabrics&threads become shopping bags. It's a magical transformation!

Get Sewing - 5 week sewing machine course, starting late February, at Springwater Church, Sonning Common.

Evenings: 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings 7.30-9.30pm: February 21st, 28th, Mar 7th, 14th & 21st
Daytime: 5 consecutive Friday mornings 10am-12pm: February 24th, Mar 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th

Get to grips with using your sewing machine whilst making a range of projects for your home and wardrobe, including tote bag, make-up bag, and a simple tunic top from a self-drawn pattern…

Perfect for beginners, or those who need a refresher or some inspiration and encouragement to get sewing again.

During the 5 week course you'll learn what all those dials do on your machine, and get some practice making lovely projects that are easy to replicate and adapt. Threading your machine each week, and using a variety of skills and settings, you'll gain the confidence to carry on sewing at home.

Each class also offers Step Up ideas, if you are ready to push your skills a bit further.

The course includes all materials (excluding for the tunic top), plus the necessary tea & cake...

The events are both available to book on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/make-do-sew-co-59709238253