Craft courses

We offer the following Craft courses:

Making Clothes

This course is designed for students to use commercial patterns and adapt them to fit. All the basic techniques of dressmaking are taught with students being given some individual attention. If you are a beginner then the first class should be used for consulting the tutor on choice of pattern, fabric and equipment needed.

Patchwork and Quilting

Come and join a friendly and supportive group while learning the skills and techniques of making beautiful patchwork quilts for your family, home and friends. We will cover colour and design techniques, fabric choice, and cutting, piecing, quilting and finishing techniques using both hand and machine, all at your own pace. Your teacher, Sue, has many years of teaching experience and will nurture your skills and help you achieve more than you hoped. If a full sized quilt seems too much then start by making a cot quilt, or perhaps a miniature quilt, a set of table mats or a throw for the lounge. Or, if you really want a challenge then go for gold with competition work. Either way, or anywhere in between there will be lots of advice and warm support. Your family and friends will be amazed at what you can do.

Flower Arranging Course

Simple ideas for a variety of occasions, dinner parties, presents etc. Suitable for beginners to intermediates. Students will need to bring their own equipment, flowers etc. The first class will be a demonstration and will cover technique and advice on choice of materials. A list of requirements for future sessions will be handed out at the first class.

Flower Arranging - Christmas Wreaths

Come and learn how to make an eye-catching fresh festive door wreath and Christmas table centre, using seasonal foliage, flowers, cones, baubles… A list of flowers and materials required will be provided in advance of each session.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy is a pleasing and exacting craft, involving historical knowledge. It is the design and execution of lettering with a broad tip pen or brush and modern calligraphy ranges from functional inscriptions and designs to fine-art pieces where the letters may or may not be legible.

First time students receive introductory talk on the background of calligraphy, the tools and their use. This will include a demonstration of the first script to be learnt – Foundation Hand. They will be taught individually by demonstration and begin to form letters of the alphabet at their own pace. Students attending for their second / third term will begin a more complex piece using one or both of the scripts learnt during the previous term(s). This piece will also involve decoration, graphic or illustrational. It is expected to last five or six weeks. They will have the choice of learning a new script. Regular students will discuss and plan with the tutor their term’s project. This will be based on their own choice of lettering, design and content but will be directed and advised by the tutor.