Brief Description:

This course is aimed at anyone who wants to begin their journey to learn patchwork and quilting. The tutor aims to cover a variety of common techniques and the blocks can be repeated to make into anything from a large quilt, to a cushion or a bag. Ideal for anyone wanting to make a baby quilt. Others may wish to attend to perfect their skills and be guided to work on a personal project.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

Basic experience in using a sewing machine is essential such as being able to wind a bobbin, thread up the machine and sew in a straight line. Patchwork is much easier to access than dressmaking and is a great way to use even basic sewing skills to be creative.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the eight-week course, newcomers will have the opportunity to:

• learn all about fabric preparation and how to use the correct tools and equipment such as a rotary cutter and mat
• sew an accurate ¼” seam and learn why it’s important
• be guided to make traditional block and not so traditional blocks
• learn the basics of quilting and binding
• develop your design skills with colour and shapes

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment

The centre has several sewing machines to use or you may prefer to bring your own. You will need your own plastic bobbins/spools as well as basic equipment such as fabric scissors and pins.

In time you will need to purchase your own rotary cutter, mat and ruler.

Patchwork weight fabric is required and places like Hobby Craft will have small packs of ‘fat quarters’ at a reasonable price.

Whilst not essential, more progress will be made if learners have access to a sewing machine at home.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Fabric scissors, a notebook, some fine pins and some cotton fabric such a pack of fat quarters. It’s a good idea to have a colour scheme in mind from the start. The tutor is keen that you resist spending a lot of money on special tools and equipment. This will come in time depending on your needs and pocket.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Consider returning for another term where you can pick up where you left off to explore even more blocks and extend your skills with more challenging blocks and techniques
Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturday and Sundays, you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more

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