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.

DATES - 25-03 OR 01-05

Cost - £45

Duration - 5 hours max (10 - 3)

Suitable for - some experience of machine sewing / quilting

Max Group Size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Create a stylish quilted messenger bag with just 1m of fabric and very little waste. Suitable for those with some experience of machine sewing / quilting. Adjustable strap - can be a should bag or cross-body. Finished bag size 35 × 35 cm

DATES - 28-01 or 17-04

Cost -£40

Duration - 4 hrs (10 am - 2pm)

Suitable for - confident beginners upwards

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Make this smart tote / shopping handbag in just a few hours. Suitable for those with some experience of machine sewing. There is the option to lengthen the handles to make a shoulder bag if you wish, also the option to add an outside front pocket.

DATES - 01-03 or 05-06

Cost - £35

Duration - 3 hrs (10am - 1pm)

Suitable for confident beginners

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

This really useful sewing mat / organizer sits under your machine while sewing and stores all your tools. It even has a little pot for all your snipped threads. You will be able to design your own mat to suit your machine and your needs. Suitable for beginners.

DATES - 06-03 or 20-05

Cost - £55

Suitable for those with some experience of machine sewing

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Make your own cool satchel in a day. It has internal pockets, a front 'box' pocket, strong webbing and metal hardware. Great for books, an Ipad, maybe a small chromebook, and certainly great for everyday use. There is also the option to make a larger flap, ‘messenger-style’ bag if you wish.

Not suitable for beginners.

DATES - 07-02 OR 04-03

Cost - £35

Duration - 4 hours (10am - 2pm)

Suitable for anyone

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

'Anything goes' in this four-hour session. We will supply fabric, threads, buttons, lace, fabric paints... and your only limit is your imagination.

We will explore how to attach applique shapes, learn a range of hand embroidery stitches, embellish with buttons, beads, ribbons and lace, plus a range of fabric painting techniques should you wish.

There is no 'set' outcome - we will give you plenty of ideas but what you create is up to you.

It's a chance to sit, natter and drink tea with like-minded people whilst creating a piece of textile art.

DATES - 11/02

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 - 27-05

Cost - £30

Duration - 3 hrs (10am - 1pm)

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Look stylish on the beach, at a festival or just in your garden, in this reversible bucket hat. Suitable for confident beginners and available in 5 sizes.

DATES - 25-02

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!

DATES - 12-02

Cost - £35

Suitable for confident beginners

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Penny Dorward

Learn how to create this Traditional Welsh Patchwork 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.Description goes here

DATES - 01-02 OR 17-05

Cost — £30

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 - 27-05

Cost - £30

Duration - 3 hrs (10am - 1 pm)

Suitable for beginners

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Look super stylish on the beach or at a festival (or even in the garden!) with this fully reversible bucket hat, available in five sizes. Suitable for beginners.

DATES - 18-02

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 - TBC

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!

DATES - 29-04

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- 27-02

Cost — £30

Duration — 3 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 shopping / book 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 - 23-01 OR 19-04

Cost — £30

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.

DATES - 08-03 OR 23-05

Cost — £35

Duration — 3 hours (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 Textile 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 - TBC

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.

DATES- 03-05

Cost — £30

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.

DATES - 05-02

Cost - £30

Duration - 3 hrs (10am - 1pm)

Suitable for - confident beginners upwards

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Learn this stunning patchwork technique by cutting, folding and stitching squares. You will learn and practise the technique which will enable you to make more squares at home and even create your own quilt!

DATES - 05-04

Cost - £25

Duration - 3 hrs (10am - 1pm)

Suitable for complete beginners

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Create a string of beautiful bunting in a just a few hours, even if you have never sewn before!

DATES - 08-04

Cost - £30

Duration - 3 hrs (10am - 1 pm)

Suitable for confident hand sewists

Max group size - 4

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Content

Learn this stunning technique by cutting, folding and stitching squares y hand. You will learn and practise the technique in class which will then allow you to make more at home and even create a quilt!

Please note this is not suitable for beginners or people with dexterity issues as there is a lot of tiny hand sewing involved.

DATES - 20-03

Cost - £45

Duration - 6 hrs (10am - 1pm)

Suitable for beginners

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Penny Dorward

Learn the basics of block patchwork on this full -day course 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.

DATES - 07-03

Cost - £30

Duration - 3 hrs (10am - 1pm)

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Penny Dorward

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.

N.B. —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.Description goes here

DATES - 12-03 OR 03-04

Cost £40

Duration - 4hrs (10am - 2pm)

Max group size - 3

Tutor - Alyson Thomas

Learn the art of silk painting and create a piece of hoop art or a small square scarf.

DATES - 02-06

Cost - £35

Duration - 3hrs (10am - 1pm)

Suitable for beginners

Max group size 3

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.