5 Sessions, commencing Thurs. 11th Feb. Beginner Patchwork Sampler Quilt (Anita Birtles)

Description

Beginner Patchwork Sampler Quilt with Anita Birtles

Start with a bundle of fabric, a sewing machine and a little enthusiasm – and finish with the skills and confidence to make your own patchwork quilts.

If you’ve always wanted to try patchwork but weren’t sure where to begin, this is the perfect class for you. Anita Birtles takes you through the whole process step by step, in a friendly and relaxed workshop designed specifically for beginners.

Over the course of the class, you’ll create a beautiful sampler quilt while learning the essential techniques that every patchworker needs. You’ll begin with the fundamentals and gradually build your skills as you make a wonderful variety of classic quilt blocks.

What you’ll learn

We’ll start right at the beginning, so there’s no need to have previous patchwork experience. You’ll learn how to:

• Rotary cut accurately and use your rulers with confidence
• Sew an accurate quarter-inch seam
• Piece fabrics accurately and match points
• Press your blocks for a neat, professional finish

As your confidence grows, you’ll move on to making some of patchwork’s most-loved blocks, including:

• Rail Fence
• Nine Patch
• Log Cabin
• Pinwheels
• Flying Geese
• Stars
• Dresden Plate
• Tumbling Blocks

You’ll also discover how to make half-square and quarter-square triangles, work with templates, square up your finished blocks and bring everything together into a quilt.

By the end of the course, you could have up to 12 beautifully finished blocks. You can then choose how you would like to assemble them, with or without sashing, giving your quilt either a more traditional or contemporary look.

It’s not just a day of sewing – it’s a chance to learn the techniques, tips and little tricks that make patchwork so enjoyable, and to leave feeling confident enough to carry on quilting at home.

What to bring

Please bring the following with you, or purchase them from us on the day:

Rotary cutting equipment – board, cutter (with a new blade)

Ruler – two straight rulers (ideally one 24” in length and the other 12” in length)

Sewing machine in good working order and threaded, with a ¼” foot if you have one. If not, bring your usual presser foot and your sewing machine manual.

Paper scissors and a notebook

Fabric scissors

50 wt sewing machine thread in a neutral colour – Aurifil 50 wt is ideal.

Quilt requirements

Fabric

6 x half metres of coordinating cotton quilting fabrics, or 12 x fat quarters

1 metre cotton background fabric

Notions

50 weight cotton thread

Best Press

Long quilting pins

Size 80 sewing machine needles

Fabric marker pen or pencil

Finishing your quilt

You’ll need wadding, backing fabric and binding fabric to complete your quilt. There’s no need to buy these immediately – they can be chosen and purchased once your blocks are completed and you’re ready for the final stage.

A little reminder about your sewing machine

Please make sure you are familiar with your sewing machine and arrive with it threaded and ready to sew. This means we can spend less time setting up and more time actually making your quilt.

If you’re not completely confident with your machine, or would simply like a refresher before the class, why not book a one-to-one session with us beforehand? A little extra confidence can make all the difference and means you can relax and enjoy the workshop.

About Anita Birtles

Anita Birtles is an experienced quilter and sewing teacher with a friendly, encouraging approach. She has a wealth of experience in patchwork, quilting and bag making and particularly enjoys helping people discover the pleasure of making things for themselves.

Her classes are practical, relaxed and packed with useful tips, making even unfamiliar techniques feel achievable. Whether you’ve never sewn a quilt block before or simply want to build your patchwork skills, Anita will guide you through each stage at a comfortable pace.

And, of course, there’s plenty of time for questions, advice and those little sewing discoveries that you only get when you’re learning alongside an experienced quilter.

Additional information

Tea and coffee will be available before and during the class, so there’s plenty of opportunity to have a cuppa and chat with fellow quilters.

You’ll also have time to browse our Warehouse Shop before the class, during breaks and afterwards. It’s the perfect opportunity to choose a few extra fabrics or supplies once you’ve discovered exactly what you need for your quilt.

Parking

Free parking is available at the warehouse.

Please park in the designated car park at the bottom of the building. This keeps access clear for disabled visitors and delivery vehicles, so please avoid parking along the length of the warehouse.

Cancellation policy

Workshop cancellations by us

In exceptional circumstances, we may need to cancel a workshop or event. If this happens, we will:

• Offer an alternative date where possible and secure your place on the new date
• Give you as much notice as possible, with cancellations made no later than 48 hours before the scheduled workshop
• Provide a full refund if an alternative date is not suitable

Please note that we are unable to reimburse additional costs incurred in attending the workshop, such as travel, accommodation or materials purchased independently.

Cancellations by you

If you need to cancel your place:

14 days’ notice or more before the first session:

• You may request a refund, minus a 10% administration fee
• Or transfer to another available class

Less than 14 days’ notice:

• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a refund or transfer

We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to let us know as early as possible if you can no longer attend, so that we have the opportunity to offer your place to another quilter.

Location

Lady Sew and Sew
Farm Road
Henley on Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 1EJ
UK

Tel: 01491 572 528