Can anyone recommend some beginner sewing lessons?

[redllamayellowllama]

I've been having a go at a spot of sewing recently - have made a lovely mobile and a christmas stocking by experimenting with hand-stitching. I'm now keen to move on to bigger and better things; a quilt, clothes for my ds, maybe some cushions etc.

I realise it's time to move on to the machine (my hand-stitching is painfully slow - technique maybe?), but I'm struggling to decipher the sewing books I've come across (even those touted as being basic).

What I'd really like is an evening course that shows me the basics of how to use a machine, follow a pattern etc. Unfortunately, neither my Mother or MIL sew and there's no-one else I can think of who would have the time to be able to go through it all with me.

I'm in South-East London. Any ideas?

[daisyj]

I'll watch this with interest as I'd love to do the same (and am also in SE London). In the meantime, in your trawl of basic sewing books, have you come across Eithne Farry's Yeah, I Made it Myself? I've bought it, but not yet got around to trying it out.

[redllamayellowllama]

I got it out from the library and liked the tone but didn't think much of the projects - it seemed to be a lot of embellishing upon old items, which isn't really what I'm up for doing. I want to create, god damn it!

I was given Lotta Jansdotter's 'Simple Sewing', which is more like it, but a lot of the stuff in there is slightly pointless - placemats with sections for each piece of cutlery, anyone?

[redllamayellowllama]

Right, have bitten the bullet and signed up for one I found online. Greenwich Community College, 'Sewing for Beginners'. Looks like just the ticket.

[snickersnack]

Sounds good. Peter Jones runs day long classes on Saturdays sometimes which are great and you get a really good lunch! Hard to find on the website but you ring and ask for haberdashery.

[pebbles77]

I'm in South East London and next Monday i'm starting a course at Southwark Council Adult Learning Centre - in Peckham - for 10 weeks on Monday from 7-9 - i think it was about £80.

www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_44930.pdf

I enrolled just before Christmas and there were still quite a few places left.

Do let me know if either of you sign up.

[daisyj]

Oh yes, I remember someone else mentioning the John Lewis ones - sounds like a good plan to get an taster. Greenwich College would be good for me, but would depend on the night whether I'm on baby duty or not. I think I'll try for something in the summer when it's less of a chore getting around! Let us know if you enjoy the courses redllama and pebbles.

[daisyj]

Lol at the placemats . Very fifties!

[Mummyisamonster]

Try The Make Lounge in Islington. They do short courses (their classes are typically just one evening) on things like skirt making, cushion-making etc. I did a jewellery course there and loved it. Google it and you should find them. Enjoy

[pebbles77]

Tomorrow night is my last night of this current beginners course and I LOVE IT. totally addicted.

I think as with all group classes due to people going at different speeds there will be times when you're not actully being taught stuff so i just made sure i took projects along with me so if i finished something before others i wasn't just sitting around.

I've already signed up for my next class which is pattern cutting and dress making.

Really reasonably priced and totally recommend it - Southwark Adult Learning Services

[OliviaMumsnet]

NB not an official Mumsnet endorsement but a personal one, I went to the make lounge in Islington (yes I know that's not SE London) at 9am one Saturday with my only previous bobbin knowledge being from the song and came out at lunchtime being able to work a machine and with a cushion that i had made.
It wasn't cheap but it was good.
HTH
and good luck

[YoMoJo]

Sorry to hijack - any reccomendations for SW/W London/Surrey/Middlesex areas??