Description
This video course 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.
We will cover everything from buying and selecting your first sewing machine, threading it up and then getting making!
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.
You will learn how to accurately cut out fabric, measure and piece your work. Insert a zip, and quilt, whilst working at your own pace, to make a quilted fabric box, a zip cushion and a beautiful tote/shopping bag.
The course is broken down into easy to follow modules taking you from start to finish with each project. The videos have been filmed and edited by a professional film crew from many different angles, ensuring you will get detailed up close, step by step instruction along the way.
Your teacher Claire Mackaness (owner of Beautiful Things) has been teaching this exact course in person in her studio for over 8 years and has subsequently taught over 1000 pupils how to sew!
As our audience has expanded to the rest of the country and the world, we decided it was time to take it online for those of you who cannot get in to see us at BTHQ for whatever reason.
As well as receiving access to a number of training videos throughout this course you will have access to Claire herself via our free Facebook group should you get stuck on any part of the course.
You will need to provide your own materials to undertake the projects covered and will also need a sewing machine and a selection of basic tools. (Kits are now available via our website HERE)
Before you head off to buy a machine or the tools, we advise you watch the intro videos on the course as Claire will guide you through the purchase of these items to ensure you buy the most suitable items.
Fabric requirements – 1.5 metres of quilting cotton, ideally in a non-directional design with a light background. 1/2 metre of wadding (cotton/polyester mix), 1/2 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. (kits available HERE)
Tools Sewing machine (if you do not own one, we advise you to try and borrow one from a friend or family member initially. We will cover making your first purchase in the course). 24″ x 6″ quilting ruler, rotary cutter, Pilot frixion pen, quilting clips, pins, fabric scissors, small embroidery scissors or snips.
Many of these items can be bought from our Amazon Store (although they will cost you no more to purchase we will gain a small commission). Or from our website store
Once you have purchased your course, we can provide you with links to all of the recommended tools and fabrics on your dedicated learning platform.
Ruby (verified owner) –
This is a brilliant course for beginners. Prior to this course I didn’t know how to operate a sewing machine or make anything but this course supported me in making 3 brilliant items that my partner genuinely thought I’d bought from a shop. He even said, “But last week you couldn’t sew?” This just shows how quickly you can learn from this course.
The video tutorials are brilliant because you can pause and rewind them to recap over things that you’re not sure on.
I’m so happy that I did this course as it’s given me so much confidence.
Thank you Claire.
Elizabeth Palfreman –
Have not sewn since school 45 years ago when I got C- for my petticoat! Claire is fab, lots of hints and video meant I could go at my own pace and rewind. Loved it all, 3 fab projects, got the sewing bug!
Julie Kilsby –
I cannot thank claire enough for this fabulous course. Have not sewed for years and loved learning the basics again. Claire explains everything in such a way that she could be in the room. I just pause the videos and catch up then start again. It’s yours for life to go back and look at again. Just annoyed I never did it sooner.