Join me here at my studio in Dumfries for my advent calendar workshop and learn to make your very own handmade fabric calendar to treasure year after year. This would make a perfect gift for someone special, a first christmas present or a treasured heirloom for your own family to enjoy for years to come!
Over the course of a full day workshop or at two evening classes Leah will teach you how to create your calendar with 24 little pockets to fill with surprises. Leah will have lots of inspiration on hand to inspire you as you create your different pockets and numbers. Mix and match patterns from our stash of thrifted, vintage and new fabrics to create your pockets and decorative details.
Each handmade pocket will be decorated using different techniques. You'll add festive motifs like stockings, christmas trees, robins, hearts, stars and bunting that will be appliqued and stitched using templates provided. You'll learn how to transfer these designs and different methods of applique using machine and hand stitching. You can add ribbons, trims or use our Brother Sewing Machines and embellish some with decorative machine stitches. Finish off each pocket with printed numbers and text using vintage rubber stamps. Leah will teach you stitches so you can include hand stitched numbers too. She will show you how to stitch some simple hand embroidery stitches during class including blanket stitch, back stitch, running stitch, satin stitch etc.
There's alot to achieve at this workshop so you might not get your calendar completely finished but Leah will ensure you know all the techniques and skills necessary so you can finish it at home.
Material included. Vintage and new fabrics, felt, lace, vintage linens, sewing machine thread, vintage doilies, embroidery threads, vintage buttons, ribbon, pom pom trim, ric rac, fabric inks, bells, bondaweb and yarns. You'll also receive patterns and templates for pockets and some image transfers. Tools of the trade are also provided including use of a sewing machine.
Materials Required: Bring your own choice of fabric for the backing for the calendar. We'll send you details of required amounts and tips on what type of fabrics when you place your booking. You may also want to bring along some cherished fabric. A previous class guest used her child's christmas pyjamas to create some of her pockets to make it an extra special heirloom.
Classes are small to ensure you get the personal tuition you need to help with your project and get the best out of each workshop we host.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a beginners workshop, you should already know your way around the sewing machine. If you can thread a machine, load the bobbin and back stitch. There will be lots of hand stitching involved in the class too but Leah can show you how to stitch simple stitches at class.
LEVEL: Beginner Improver/Intermediate
MAKE & TAKE: Fabric Advent Calendar
TUTOR: Leah Halliday
VENUE : Solway House, The Crichton Business Park, Bankend Road, Dumfries
DATE: TBC TIME: 10AM - 4.30PM
PRICE : £85 includes lunch, tea and cakes too!
PLEASE NOTE : There is a minimum number of participants required for this workshop to go ahead. Check your diary carefully and read our
BOOKING TERMS before you book a workshop.
