Learn How To Use Your Sewing Machine Workshop

Ready to finally get comfortable with your sewing machine? Join us in person for a fun and hands-on workshop where you'll learn all the basics to start creating your own projects. Whether you're a total newbie or just need a refresher, this session is perfect for getting confident with your machine. Bring your sewing machine and let’s stitch together some skills!

With shows like The Sewing Bee, sewing and making your own soft furnishings and clothes has hugely risen in popularity. However, it’s important to know how to use your machine before you embark on your new hobby, so it doesn’t put you off when things get caught, twisted, snagged or jammed. (which can be very common!)

‘How to’ videos can tell you how, but it’s the ins and outs of the machine, and the troubleshooting when things go wrong that’s needed to not only enjoy sewing but succeed with it.

In this new workshop, Lynne Lemon, a professional upholsterer and experienced soft furnishings creator, teaches you everything you need to get started with sewing on your machine. You will then also put what you learn into practice and create a handy tote bag.

Bring your own sewing machine and spend a relaxed, practical day getting to know how it works— no jargon, no overwhelm, and definitely no history lessons (promise!).

What does the day entail?

After a brief introduction, you’ll dive straight in. The morning will be dedicated to understanding your own sewing machine: what everything does, how it works, and how to use it with confidence. Lynne will take the mystery out of threading, settings, and stitch choices, working hands-on, so it all makes sense as you go.

In the afternoon, you’ll put those new skills into practice by creating a handy tote bag — a lovely way to reinforce what you’ve learned while creating something useful to take home.

Throughout the day, you will learn how to:

• Become familiar with your sewing machine and its functions
• Thread your machine
• Operate your machine confidently
• Adjust tension and stitch length on a variety of fabrics
• Learn how to get a perfect stitch, both straight and patterned
• Techniques for stitching straight and accurately, finishing edges, seams, hems and other decorative techniques.
• Learn how to deal with common sewing on machine issues

Care for and maintain your machine

• Pick up helpful tips and time-saving tricks
• Troubleshoot sewing machine problems

A full day workshop, there’ll be a lunch break where you are welcome to bring a packed lunch, or you can choose from The Reading Room’s workshop menu in the morning, so it’ll be ready when you break. They also have tea / coffee available to buy from the café.

What’s included?

Tuition. All threads. Fabrics - There will be a choice of fabrics to make your tote bags, but you are also welcome to bring your own if you’d prefer a particular pattern. Please use strong cotton, upholstery material or similar.

Please bring your own sewing machine – This class is all about learning your own machine as they can have small differences. Lynne has experience on most modern machines and many older ones too. Please email your machine brand / model when booking at [email protected]

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