Need help with improving your sewing skills?Got an unfinished project that’s been in a cupboard for years? Or just want someone to bounce ideas off?

You can book Alyson or Penny by the hour. All aspects of hand and machine sewing covered.

COST - £18 per hour

Give Alyson a ring on 01639 844704 (during shop hours) to discuss your requirements and book a session.

DATE - 13-09

Cost — £65

Duration — 6 hours (10—4)

Suitable for — Complete beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Spend the day making a fun quilt top, using a selection of ‘Halloween’ fabrics. Please note, you will only make the quilt top on the day.

We offer other classes in sandwiching, quilting and binding a quilt.

The cost of the day includes ALL the fabric you need.

What we will provide:

The Halloween Panel and charm pack to make your quilt.

Tea/Coffee and biscuits!

What you will need to bring:

Your own sewing machine (unless you borrow one of ours)

A packed lunch

DATE - 19-09

Cost — £65

Duration — 6 hours (10—4)

Suitable for — Complete beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Spend the day making a fun quilt top, using a selection of ‘Halloween’ fabrics. Please note, you will only make the quilt top on the day. We offer other classes in sandwiching, quilting and binding a quilt. The cost of the day includes ALL the fabric you need.

What we will provide:

The ’Wolf ’ Panel and complementary fabric to make your quilt top.

Tea/Coffee and biscuits!

What you will need to bring:

Your own sewing machine (unless you borrow one of ours)

A packed lunch

DATES - 26-09 OR 14-11

Cost — £30

Duration — 3 hours (10.00—1.00)

Suitable for —

Intermediate upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Alyson Thomas

Content

Make this beautiful zipped washbag / clutchbag using your favourite scraps. You can line it with plastic to make it waterproof, or just a fabric lining. It is also wadded and quilted for extra sturdiness. You could create an orangey-red sunrise, go monochrome or completely rainbowtastic, it’s up to you! Bag size 12” x 8” approx.

What we will provide:

Coloured scraps (but feel free to bring your own)

Wadding

Zip

Plastic lining (you will need to bring / buy your own fabric lining if required)

Tea/Coffee and biscuits!

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:

We would prefer you to bring your own sewing machine but if this is not possible we do have some you can borrow.

Backing fabric / lining fabric (approx. 1/4 m of each)

If you have a zip foot, please bring it with you. But we do have ones you can borrow.

DATE - 27-09

Cost — £40

Duration — 3 hrs (10am— 1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

This ’Witches Hat’ cushion has been designed by our very own Penny Dorward. You will learn how to patch the Witches Hat block and create a beautiful cushion. You will also quilt it and then make an envelope-style cushion backing.

What we will provide:

All the fabric you need to complete this cushion

18” cushion pad

Calico backing fabric

Wadding

Tea/Coffee and biscuits!

What you will need to bring:

We would prefer you to bring your own sewing machine but if this is not possible we do have machines you can borrow.

DATE - 05-09

Cost — £40

Duration — 3 hrs (10am— 1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

This exclusive ’Pumpkin’ design cushion has been designed by our very own Penny Dorward. You will learn how to patch the Pumpkin block and create a beautiful cushion. You will also quilt it and then make an envelope-style cushion backing.

What we will provide:

All the fabric you need to complete this cushion

18” cushion pad

Calico backing fabric

Wadding

Tea/Coffee and biscuits!

What you will need to bring:

We would prefer you to bring your own sewing machine but if this is not possible we do have machines you can borrow.

DATE - 01-10

Cost — £40

Duration — 3 hrs (10am— 1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Bring autumn into your home with this ’Maple Leaf’ cushion which has been designed by our very own Penny Dorward. You will learn how to patch the Maple Leaf block and create a beautiful cushion. You will also quilt it and then make an envelope-style cushion backing.

What we will provide:

All the fabric you need to complete this cushion

18” cushion pad

Calico backing fabric

Wadding

Tea/Coffee and biscuits!

What you will need to bring:

We would prefer you to bring your own sewing machine but if this is not possible we do have machines you can borrow.

DATES - 14-09 or 30-10

Cost - £55 including kit

Duration - All Day - 10am - 4 pm

Suitable for - confident sewists

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Daytrips and shopping will never be the same again. Look super-cool in your very own bespoke backpack. Featuring a roll-top, hanging loop, adjustable straps, zipped pocket and reinforced base, this cute bag will be your daily go-to. The course includes pattern, full instructions, strapping and metal hardware in a choice of silver or gold. You just need your favourite fabric. The finished backpack measures approx 30 x 32 cms.

DATES - 23-08 or 23-10

Cost — £25 (includes all materials)

Duration — 3 hours (10.00—1.00)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Alyson Thomas

Take your sewing to the next level with this easy guide to sewing 3 styles of zip and 3 types of buttonhole. Not just for dressmakers—zips and buttonholes are great for cushions and bags too.

What we will provide:

Zips and buttons

Calico fabric for practising on

Special machine feet if you don’t have your own

Tea/Coffee and biscuits!

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:

We would prefer you to bring your own sewing machine but if this is not possible we do have some you can borrow.

If you have a zip foot and a buttonhole foot, please bring them with you. But we do have ones you can borrow.

DATES - 24-08 or 02-10

Cost - £35 including strap and hardware

Duration - 3 hours- 10am - 1 pm

Suitable for - some experience of machine sewing

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Be the envy of your friends this summer, out walking, shopping or even at a festival. This ‘banana’ bag with a cross-body strap, is just the right size and shape to hold all your essentials and keep your hands free. It is sturdy and lined, with a strong strap and metal hardware and a zipped front, but can be as pretty as you like!

Cost — £50

Duration — 1 day (10am - 4 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Learn the basics of block patchwork with our expert quilter, Penny Dorward. Suitable for all, from beginners upwards, you will patch a lap quilt (42” x 42”) using a set of ‘Disappearing 9 Patch’ blocks. A lap quilt is great for wrapping round you as you snuggle on the sofa.

Please note—on this course you will only have time to make the quilt top—there will be another (optional) day to learn how to sandwich, bind and quilt it.

Cost — £25

Duration — each month 3hrs (10am - 1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 4

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Each month you will create a different quilted patchwork block. By the end of the year you will have 12 completed blocks which you join together to create a large quilt. This is known as the Quilt As You Go method. If you don’t want to make a quilt you could turn each block into a cushion.

There is no commitment to sign up for the whole year—but once you have started in January you will be given priority to sign up for each subsequent month as you go along.

There are 3 dates in each month so we should be able to accommodate you. We currently have availability on Fridays and Wednesdays.

Cost — £25

Duration — 3 HRS (10am—1 pm}

Suitable for — Beginnners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Alyson thomas

Content

Protect your machine from harmful dust with this simple but useful sewing machine cover. It’s padded and has pockets for tools or cables. It will also be made to fit your specific machine.

DATES - 19-09 or 10-10

Cost — £50 incl. fabric and stuffing

Duration — all day (10 am — 4 pm)

Suitable for — Intermediate to advanced — some experience of machine sewing needed

Max group size — 4

Tutor —Alyson Thomas

Content

Make your own bespoke, unique ‘art’ doll. During this workshop you will be able to alter a basic doll pattern to create different arms, hands, legs and feet. You can also choose from a range of animal and human ‘heads’, ears and tails and learn how to put the doll together using different simple joints. The options are endless!

NOTE— there will be another optional day course to learn how to make a range of clothes and accessories for your doll.

DATES - 15-10

Cost — £25

Duration — 3 HRS (10am—1 pm}

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Alyson Thomas

Content

Create this easy hobo bag in just a few hours—suitable for beginners. It’s fully lined with internal pockets and you can use a range of lightweight fabrics.

DATES - 01-08 or 04-10

S Cost — £35

Duration — 3 hours (10am —1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor — Alyson Thomas

Content

Totally exclusive to The Blue House, be one of the first people in the UK to make the ‘Gwen’ patchwork block. You can choose your own colour scheme—hat / clothes / hair /skin to create a unique Welsh Lady. By the end of the morning you will have made a 15” block which could be turned into a cushion, bag or even a quilt!

Cost — £50

Duration — All Day (10 am— 4 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Create this stunning ‘Bargello’ technique cushion, which is actually easier than it looks! Penny will guide you through the piecing and cutting of the strips, wadding and quilting and finally creating an envelope-style cushion. Everything you need will be provided on the day and you’ll be amazed what you can create, even if you are a complete beginner!

DATES - 07-09 or 24-10

Cost — £35 including kit

Duration — 3 hrs (10am—1 pm}

Suitable for — anyone

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Alyson Thomas

Content

Using an easy kit, make a 30cm drum lampshade, covered with your own choice of fabric. The shade can hang as a pendant or sit upright. You can also embellish it with braid, ribbon and pompoms if you wish. You don’t need a sewing machine for this lampshade but there may be some hand-sewing in order to attach embellishments.

DATES - 09-11 OR 04-12

Cost — £25

Duration — 3 hrs (10 am —1 pm)

Suitable for — Those who have already made a patchwork quilt top

Max group size — 3

Tutor — Penny Dorward

Content

If you’ve made a patchwork quilt top and need to learn how to ‘quilt’ it, this workshop is for you. You will learn basic ‘free-motion’ techniques and a range of simple quilting patterns.

Please note—this workshop is for the technique only—you will be practising on small pieces of fabric/wadding and then working on your own quilt at home.

Cost — £30

Duration — 3 hours (10am —1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor — Penny Dorward

Content

Woo your sweetheart with this this stunning cushion and yes it is suitable for beginners! You will learn basic patchwork and quilting techniques to create an 18” patchwork cushion, complete with pad and ‘envelope’ style backing.

Cost — £25

Duration — 3.5 hours (10 AM—1 PM)

Suitable for — complete beginners

(and upwards)

Max group size — 3

Tutor —Alyson Thomas

Content

Do your bit for the planet with a stylish fabric tote bag. There will also be tuition on getting to know your sewing machine and building your confidence with simple sewing. You will learn to cut out, pin and sew a lined bag, insert a ‘flat bottom’, attach an internal pocket and make fabric handles.

DATES - 15-08 or 20-09

Cost — £25

Duration — 3 hrs (10 am—1 pm)

Suitable for — complete beginners

(and upwards)

Max group size — 4

Tutor—Alyson Thomas

Content

Use all your scraps and go wild learning this easy technique, made popular in Victorian times. We will use a sewing machine to create the patchwork, however you could sew by hand if you wish. if time allows, we may also explore a range of decorative hand-embroidery stitches to embellish your work.

The aim is to create a 16 x 16” panel but you may not finish a complete piece during this session. It’s a technique which you can take away and keep adding to as you go along.

Cost — £35

Duration — 3 hours (10am —1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 4

Tutor — Penny Dorward

Learn how to create this Star Block and turn it into a quilted cushion. Your tutor Penny will take you through all aspects of cutting, stitching , layering and quilting and then create a simple envelope-style cushion. If you are a complete beginner Penny will also give you tuition on how to use your machine.

Cost — £40 incl. all fabric / cushion etc

Duration — 3 hrs (10am— 1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Use a pre-printed fabric panel to create a beautiful cushion, using borders and strips. You will learn how to piece it all together, quilt it and then make an envelope-style cushion backing. Please note the cost includes ALL fabric.

Cost — £50

Duration — 1 day (10am - 4pm)

Suitable for — BEGINNERS UPWARDS

Max group size — 4

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Learn the basics of patchwork with our expert quilter, Penny Dorward. Suitable for complete beginners, you will patch a ’baby’ quilt top (36”x40”) using 5” squares. If you are new to machine sewing, Penny will also give you some tuition on getting to know your sewing machine.

NB, this day is for the quilt top only, you will have the opportunity to book a further session for the wadding and quilting if you wish.

Description goes here

DATES - 21-08 or 03-09

Cost — £35

Duration — 3hours

(10 a.m—1 p.m.)

Suitable for — BEGINNERS UPWARDS)

Max group size — 4

Tutor—Alyson Thomas

Content

Learn the basics of free-motion embroidery along with applique, to create your very own piece of ‘Hoop Art’. You don’t need a special machine, just a free-motion foot, which you can borrow for the day (or purchase from us for £8). Cost includes ALL materials.

You don’t have to make a hoop, you could make a picture or cushion front if you wish, depending on time.

DATES - 06-08 or 12-09

Cost — £25

Duration — 3 hrs (10 am —1 pm)

Suitable for — BEGINNERS UPWARDS)

Max group size — 4

Tutor —Alyson Thomas

CONTENT—Once you start making these pouches you will never stop! During the session you will have tuition on getting to know your sewing machine and the basics of machine sewing. You will also learn how to sew a zip into a lined pouch. You should have time to make three slightly different types of pouch during the morning.

Cost — £50

Duration — 1 day (10a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Suitable for — BEGINNERS UPWARDS

Max group size — 3

Tutor—Penny Dorward

Content

Learn the basics of patchwork with our expert quilter, Penny Dorward. Suitable for complete beginners, you will patch a smart table-runner (36” x 12”) in the Exploding Pineapple design, sandwich with wadding, back it and learn how to bind the edges. If you are new to machine sewing, Penny will also give you some tuition on getting to know your sewing machine.

Cost — £25

Duration — 3.hrs (10 am - 1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 3

Tutor = Alyson Thomas

Content

Create your own stylish kitchen or garden apron for yourself or as a gift. You will use a pattern to cut out, pin and sew your lined apron, attach cotton-tape neck and waist ties and add a pocket or two.

Cost — £40

Duration — All Day—10 till 4

Suitable for —

Some knowledge of basic machine sewing

Max group size — 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Create your own stylish Artisan apron. You will use a pattern to cut out, pin and sew your apron, which has a crossover design and side pockets.

Cost — £25

Duration — 3 hours (10 am - 1 pm)

Suitable for — Beginners upwards

Max group size — 4

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Create a stylish shoulder bag using two fabrics and a ‘pleating technique’. The bag is fully lined with an internal pocket. You can add either a leather, faux leather or fabric strap, with metal rivets.

Cost — £40

Duration — 10 am - 2 pm

Suitable for — some experience of

machine sewing

Max group size — 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Create a stylish shoulder bag with a flap closure. The bag is fully lined with an internal pocket. You can add either a leather, faux leather or fabric strap, with metal hardware. Suitable for those with some experience of machine sewing.

Cost — £30

Duration — 3 hours

Suitable for — everyone

Max group size — 4

Content

Learn the basics of wet felting and create a felt flower brooch plus a little felted bowl, in this three hour class. If you have time you can make whatever else you fancy!