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Learn to sew from scratch – beginners sewing 101

Beginners Sewing 101 - Learn to sew from scratch - online sewing course

This class is perfect for complete beginners to sewing.  Maybe you've never used a sewing machine before or it's been a long time since you last dusted a machine off. During this course, you will learn how to use a sewing machine and use a selection of the stitch functions to create 3 separate projects. We will make 'items' rather than garments, but this will teach you the basic methods used in sewing in general. When you are ready to move onto garments we can help you with that, but we believe that the foundations of sewing should be covered first.

£45.00

Beginners sewing 101 - Online sewing course & kit

The perfect package for any aspiring sewist.  Purchase this for yourself or as a gift for a loved one. Access to our fantastic Beginners sewing 101 course and all of the materials you need to get you started all in one handy package.

£75.00
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Welcome to your beginners sewing course. We are so glad you have chosen Beautiful Things to get you started on your sewing journey. We can’t wait to see how you get on.

Work your way through the videos below in order and before you know it, you will have completed 3 wonderful sewing projects to be super proud of. (Please be aware you may have seen a few of these videos before if you are a subscriber to our YouTube channel. It is advisable that you re-visit them to get the most of the course)

Please DO NOT skip any content as the course has been designed to take in order.

You will need to download the Beginners sewing 101 PDF instructions

If you get stuck at any point, or you just want to join in with all of your fellow pupils, do post in our facebook group

So here is your very 1st video.  Make yourself a cuppa or your chosen tipple of choice and dive in.

So let’s get started by talking about sewing machines

Once you have your sewing machine you are going to need to thread it.  You will find you have a top-loading machine or a front loading machine.  Either way, I have you covered with 2 YouTube tutorials.

Now you have a better idea of what machine you might need and how to thread it, lets talk equipment

If you fancy a rotary cutter, please use it safely and properly.

Before you can make anything it’s good to know how to cut out

Cutting Out from Claire Mackaness on Vimeo.

Here are the materials you will need to gather together before you can start making:

Fabric requirements – 2 metres of quilting cotton, ideally in a non-directional design with a light background. 1/2 metre of wadding (cotton/polyester mix), 1 metre of plain quilting cotton in a colour to match your main patterned fabric (used for the lining of your bag). 1/2 metre of acrylic felt in a colour to match your main patterned fabric.  1 x 18″ zipper with nylon/plastic teeth.  Polyester sewing thread in a neutral colour that matches your fabric choice.

Now you are all set it’s time to make your first project – The quilted fabric box

Pat yourself on the back, you did great! Pop over to the facebook group and post a picture of your box. You can also pop it on social media, we really want to see how you are getting on. Be sure to tag @beautifulthingshq if you are using instagram and use the hashtag #BTHQ

Now you’re ready to make a bag!

WOW! You are almost there. I bet you feel like heading out to the shops right now to show off your fabulous bag!

How about we make a cushion and tackle zips?

Cushion with a central zip tutorial from Claire Mackaness on Vimeo.

 

We are so proud of you. You’ve completed your beginner’s sewing course. We do hope you enjoyed it. Remember to get really good at anything, you need to practise, so keep making.

These videos will remain on your account forever so you can pop back to refresh your memory whenever you like.

We would like to suggest joining our online sewing club if you’ve enjoyed this way of learning. You can receive a course every month and work your way up through the levels, building your skills as you go.

Join Claire as she helps you make all sorts of fun and exciting items. You can find more details HERE

Snap purse mini course
Mug Bag

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BTHQ on Instagram

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Its payday and we've added heaps of new stock to o Its payday and we've added heaps of new stock to our shop. Colourful bright quilting cottons. Beautifully soft viscose wovens and jersey and some Frida Kahlo canvas too!!

Shipping is flat rate to the UK or you can click and collect from the store. Alternatively, pop down and stroke it in person. BTHQ is open 10 till 4 today.
Today we are delighted to be introducing a new cha Today we are delighted to be introducing a new challenge to you that is free to join in with.  We hope it will encourage you to try something new.

The 'Sew out of your comfort zone challenge' is designed to encourage you to create something that you wouldn't normally try, or to venture into a new sewing territory.

Maybe there is a pattern you think just wont suit you, but you've seen lots of other people making it and are tempted to give it a try.  Maybe there is a new technique you've always wanted to have a go at but have been to scared to try.  You might have been sewing for years but have never tried a particular fabric or method before.

Sandra has always avoided the Tilly & The Buttons Indigo dress as it has soooo much gathering and she thought it would not be all that flattering.  But she's seen me wearing my many versions and has now decided to give it a go.

I have made lots of jumpsuits but have never worked with Scuba before or a Deer and Doe pattern so I'm giving it a go for the first time.

Join us during Februrary and pick something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.  Be sure to post your progress on social media using the hashtag #sewoutofmycomfortzone and we can all hold your hand in the process.
We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I mean Closet Core poufs! 😂
We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 to We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 today showing you all of the beautiful fabrics we now have in stock. Link in our stories
Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just h Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just half of our new stock. We can't wait to share it with you in the next couple of days.
Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project on my #makenine2023 list. It’s the Atlas Bag by Swoon patterns. It looks so pretty but I don’t like it! I used a vinyl that I realised I didn’t have enough of, so lined the straps in cotton, but don’t like that they are then facing upwards with the lining.
The straps are also ridiculously  long. The bag is much too wide for my shoulders so isn’t comfortable to wear. Never mind, good reason to try another pattern!
We had a great session this morning learning to ma We had a great session this morning learning to make Roman Blinds. Everyone is always amazed at how very simple they are to make and how many super sewing tricks they learn in this class.
We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a new term. More fabulous quilted boxes whizzed up in their 1st session.
We've just had an exciting delivery. All new class We've just had an exciting delivery. All new classroom machines for our workshop. Now you can try before you buy across the range of Janomes computerised machines.
@sew59sandra is very happy today. She's treated h @sew59sandra is very happy today. She's  treated herself to the Atelier 6 sewing machine from Janome. It's currently on special offer until Feb 9th and includes a free quilting kit.
We still have 2 places left on this fabulous cours We still have 2 places left on this fabulous course this Saturday.  Claire will be showing you how to make something wonderful from your scrap fabrics using the Creative Grids Scrap Crazy templates. 

Not only is this a great scrap project you can also create beautiful planned quilts from fabric bought specifically for your own designs.  The templates are so versatile that they can be used to seamlessly create beautiful designs.  Come and enjoy the magic as Claire talks you through lots of different options and leave the class with your own set of templates to play with at home worth £29.99!!
It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettl It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettle is always on, and there is always room on our couch or craft table for you to pop on for a chat or a bit of knitting or crochet.

There's no need to book. Just come on down. We are open 10 till 4. Free of charge, just pop a donation in the tin for your drinks.
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