& Crafts
Classes restarting at my SEWING & CRAFT STUDIO IN HARLOW
Classes will take place at the new FBL Quilting and Craft Studio, Unit 12 Greenways Business Centre, Harlow Business Park, ESSEX, CM19 5QE. There is ample free parking and designated disabled parking. To book please drop me an email to becky.preen@ntlworld.com.
For those of you who have been in the studio since the restrictions have been in place, I will be putting the studio back to some sense of pre lockdown normality which will increase the capacity from 4 learners, back to a more normal 12. In reality, few classes will be at full capacity and if any class goes over 8, I will allow people to defer if they prefer. I am double vaccinated and know most, if not all, of the regulars are also double jabbed. I will in the short term continue to make the teas and extra cleaning will be in place for the foreseeable future. If anyone has any covid related concerns, please do contact me so we can discuss them. Hopefully we can get back to some semblance of normality. If you are sick… even a sniffle, please let me know and I will be happy to rebook you on another class. Also if someone in your household is positive, or isolating for any reason (even if you yourself are not required to) please can you let me know. Some learners are more vulnerable than other and I would again prefer you defer your class until isolations are over.
During the lockdown I have increased my range of fabrics and haberdashery, so I have lots to tempt you with. Including this Kit for a larger quilt made from the “Catitude” range. There is also a peacocks version. You can purchase an entire kit for the top for £50 ( including the pattern) or purchase the pattern on its own for £6
The
following list is just a taste of the classes that will be available in the
coming months. Most classes are suitable for beginners, but please ask if you
are unsure. Whilst most students will bring their own sewing machines, I do
have some sewing machines and an over locker for students to borrow in class.
If you have a request or idea then please do let Becky know as soon as possible. 07957-551898 (phone or text, but please remember to add your name to the text!!) or preferably email becky.preen@ntlworld.com .
www.fblquiltingandcrafts.co.uk
About me…
My name is Becky Preen and I am 47 years old. I have been using a sewing machine since the age of 10 when my mother first began to teach me to make clothes. I continued to sew and after a short break during my university science degree, I became an avid patch worker. I have completed over 200 quilts in a variety of techniques. Many of these quilts have been auctioned or raffled for charity.
Since 2003, I have taught in shops and at local quilting groups in Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent & Somerset. From 2008-2017, I have also been teaching for Essex County Council, Adult Community Learning, teaching Jewellery making and dressmaking as well as patchwork and quilting. I have, and continue to thoroughly enjoy inspiring my students and have revelled in their successes as their confidence and skills grow. I completed my City and Guilds Diploma in Stitched Textiles (P & Q) in early 2020.
Here are some of the exciting things coming soon! If you are interested in a course that doesn’t have specific dates, or you want something not listed, please let me know so I can add you to an interested list, so I can make arrangements to suit the most peoples’ availability. If you don’t see what you would like to learn please let me know. I have a second more comprehensive list of classes available (large - 2.6Mb) if you require it.
I am now able to accept Credit cards for class and sales payments. I am afraid there are no age or benefit related concessions, but classes booked and paid for in full at least one month before the day class or 2 months before the start of the weekly courses will attract a 10% discount. Tea and coffee is provided free during all classes, but please bring your own mug and, for full day classes, your packed lunch or you can visit the centres lovely cafe to buy something.
I am pleased to be welcoming guest tutors to the studio this year. Accredited Westalee tutor Angie Attwood (www.angieattwood.co.uk) will be visiting to teach ruler work and Janet Goddard (www.patchworkpatterns.co.uk) will be teaching some of her fabulous quilting projects.
General Courses/ Classes Timetable
(please check the calendar for specific dates and times and details of special courses)
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Morning |
Afternoon |
Evening |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Patchwork Night Owls (suitable for all) (7-9:30pm) |
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Wednesday |
Patchwork (Established Full Group) 2½ hours |
Patchwork (Beginners and improvers) 2½ hours |
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Thursday |
Short courses such as introduction to dressmaking and getting to know your over locker or sewing machine 1st and 3rd Thursdays are project days for bringing your own sewing. see calendar at www.fblquiltingandcrafts.co.uk for details. |
Dressmaking Introductions and Projects (7-9:30pm) 8-10 weeks (NOT the third Thursday of the month) |
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Friday |
Dressmaking Introduction & Projects courses |
Jewellery Making Beginners and improvers |
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Saturday |
One Day Workshops & Saturday day a month courses |
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NEW TERM COURSES for October 2021
Patchwork & Quilting 10 Week Courses
Patchwork Courses (10 sessions of 2.5 hours) Starts
05-Oct-21 Tuesday Evening 7-9:30pm £180/£162
06-Oct-21 Wednesday Morning 10-12:30pm (This session is full) £180/£162
06-Oct-21 Wednesday Afternoon 1:30pm -4pm (Places available) £180/£162
These classes are weekly sessions booked in termly blocks of 10 weeks. Dates will be notified at time of booking. Class projects vary from course to course and students can also bring thier own projects to work on if the class project does not appeal to them.
The proposed project for October is a sampler set of tree/ foliage themed blocks which can be made into a quilt, used as cushions or made into other items as desired.
This project is suitable for beginners who can sew a ¼” seam. Please discuss with Becky the individual requirements for your project.
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v Suitable for all levels unless specified in the calendar
v Complete beginners can join this course and discuss suitable alternative projects.
Thursday Daytime Mixed Sewing Projects Workshops
Thursday Daytime Sewing Projects Workshops
Do you want to come and sew for the day? On the first and third Thursdays of the month I will be holding all day workshops. Book a month in advance for a 10% discount (£32.40/ session ) or pay as you go (£36/ session) Bring your own sewing projects or you can work on one of my many patterns or previous classes. Please pre-book to ensure your space. The dates will be
12th,,19th & 26th August. 2nd, 9th ,16th & 23rd September. 7th & 21st October, 4th November and 2nd & 16th Dec
Introduction to Dressmaking & Dressmaking Projects
Introduction - (2½ days) First ½
day, 11th September.
Full days: 18th Sep & 2nd Oct £90/£81 The Introduction course covers the basics of pattern selection, preparation and laying out and pinning. . Learners then sign up to any ongoing dressmaking/ projects class (pro rata) to work through the stages of their pattern at their own pace to complete their garment. Please discuss your requirements with Becky for options
v Suitable for all levels.
v Projects are negotiated on an individual basis with each learner to suit their needs and abilities.
Do you have an over locker that
sits in its box because you are too scared to use it? Then this is the course
for you. I’ll help you make friends with your over locker, learn how to thread
it without stress and use it to do far more than just trim and neaten edges.
You will need to have your own over locker for this course.
v Suitable for beginners to the over locker.
Please note if you are still owed a day two of this course because of lockdown, you can book in as space allows or we can make arrangements for you to complete your day two.
Over locker - Moving On (2 days)
Saturdays 10-4pm TBA
Here is
an opportunity to use your Over locker to make a set of garments and items
using all your over lockers’ functions. Projects include a throw over knit
fabric top, a tiered layered skirt and a ruffled front cushion with rolled
edges . You will need to have your own over locker for this course and have
completed a getting to know you course or already know how to adjust your
differential, tensions and complete rethreading.
v Over locking/ serging
v Suitable for those who are friends with their over locker
Patchwork & Quilting Scheduled One Day (Weekend) Workshops
- Learn how to tame fabrics you wouldn’t
usually use for quilting so you can use favourite clothing of your loved ones
to make a special quilt or wall hanging. You can also use a commercial bear, rabbit
or dog pattern to make a memory stuffie. £36/£32.40 (bear pattern at
additional cost)
v Preparing unruly fabrics for sewing.
v Stabilising fabrics from stretch clothing.
v Scrap friendly
v Bear making from a simple commercial pattern
(Simplicity 8044)
v Own sewing projects welcome, including dressmaking subject to space.
This quilt is made from 12” blocks which each use a single jelly roll (2½” x 40” )strip. 20 Strips will make up into a large throuw ( 64” x 78”) and A full set of 40 strips is more than enough to make a Double Bed sized quilt 92” sq or 78” x 106” This project is also suitable for fat quarters . £36/£32.40
v Rotary Cutting and Machine piecing
These box style pouches can be made in a variety of sizes from keychain coin purses to shoe bags. Lined,with no raw internal seams. These would make great last minute christmas gifts.
£36/£32.40
Projects Days - Bring your own projects for an uninterrupted day of sewing bliss. This is the perfect opportunity to have a go at a previous class you missed first time around, or finish off ongoing projects. You are welcome to bring along projects from others you want help with and Dressmaking projects are welcome too.
These sessions are for people
who wish to contribute their sewing skills to furnish the PAH NICU with items
to make the unit less clinical and assist the staff in helping the families and
babies adjust to NICU life. Project options vary from teeny smocks, to quilts
and canopies for cots or incubator covers. Bonding hearts are an easy sewing
project for an absolute beginner. There is no charge for these sessions, but
you must book as places are limited.
Westerlee Rulers Classes
As restrictions are easing, I hope to be welcoming back Angie Attwood, (www.angieattwood.co.uk) a Westerlee qualified tutor to Harlow for these exciting and sought after classes. Classes will take place in the FBL custom fitted studio where there is plenty of space of up to 13 students, however due to the nature of these classes, the students will be limited to just 8 on each day.
To attend these classes you will need the Westerlee foot for your machine and rulers (depending on your class) Students will be given a discount code for purchasing these and follow up items from the Cotton Patch.
The cost for a day is £65 per person for Starter Days and £130 for the 2 day Sampler course and should be booked with Becky. Please note you must have attended a Starter day in order to attend the Sampler course as you will be expected to already know how to fit and adjust the foot, tension etc.
Starter Day Dates: £65 TBA
Sampler Set 2 Day Course Dates:£130 TBA
Perfecting Feathers Dates: £65 TBA
JEWEL QUILT Course TBA
One day a month for six months.
Jewellery Making Courses
Basic Jewellery Making & Beadwork. 5 weeks (2½hours)
TBA
Getting started making your own jewellery this class is designed for absolute beginners. Half the battle in jewellery making is knowing what everything is called, so I will show the students a huge range of findings and tools and then show the class how to use some simple components to make some stunning jewellery. Loops, crimps and basic stringing on beading and Memory Wire will be covered.
I have an extensive catalogue of jewellery making sessions available, please ask for details.
“INTRODUCTION” AND “GETTING TO KNOW” CLASSES (Dates By Arrangement)
Getting to know your Sewing Machine. (2 sessions of 2½ hours) TBA (can also be arranged as 1 day) £36/£32.40
This course
will take you through the basics of how to use your sewing machine. Not got it
out of the box? Don’t know how to thread it up? Wind a bobbin? Adjust the
tension? This is the course for you. You will need to be able to bring your own
sewing machine to class.
v Suitable for absolute beginners who have not used a sewing machine before or those wanting to spend the day playing with their machine and finding out what it can do.
Jewellery Making
Chains & Strings One Day TBA
Absolute Beginners and Improvers
Getting
started making your own jewellery this class is designed for absolute beginners
or those who want to improve their existing skills. Half the battle in
jewellery making is knowing what everything is called, so I will show the
students a huge range of findings and tools and then show the class how to use
some simple components to make some stunning jewellery. We start with opening
and closing jump rings and weaving them into new and exciting patterns.
We then explore the basics of stringing using crimps.
I have an extensive catalogue of jewellery making beads and findings available for sale. For beginners I am also able to loan all the tools you need to get started so there is no need to have your own tools for the class. Advice on what makes a good tool will be given in class. I have an extensive catalogue of beading and jewellery projects for all levels making this workshop truly suitable for all.
Gone Loopy One Day TBA
Absolute Beginners and Improvers
This
class follows on from Chains and strings, but stands alone. Learning how to
form good, secure simple and wrapped loops is a key skill which will expand
your jewellery making potential. I have a variety of projects to suit every
level from complete beginner to the more advanced. Bracelets, necklaces and
earring are all options and most students should be able to complete a couple
of projects in the day.
I have an extensive catalogue of jewellery making beads and findings available for sale. For beginners I am also able to loan all the tools you need to get started so there is no need to have your own tools for the class. Advice on what makes a good tool will be given in class. I have an extensive catalogue of beading and jewellery projects for all levels making this workshop truly suitable for all.
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Follow on and more advanced classes in all subjects are also available. Please enquire for details.
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Class fees are per person and do not include materials. For most classes you will be required to bring your own sewing machine and/or over locker. All electrical items will need to be PAT tested before use but this can be done at class if needed. It would be helpful if students could arrange to bring items in before the first class if possible to minimise disruption. You can also bring them to an open day or the launch date.
Please let Becky know as soon as possible if you are intending to attend a class.
Day class bookings- A non refundable deposit of £10 holds your space. The discount will be applied to the balance if paid at least a month before the class. If you have to cancel within one month of the class in addition to the deposit I am afraid I may also have to charge the remaining full cost of the class. Unfortunately I have had several people cancel either on the day or at very short notice in recent months making the classes unviable.
Looking forward to 2022 I am looking for input for what classes and workshops you would like to see.
If you have a request or idea then please do let Becky know as soon as possible. 07957-551898 (phone or text, but please remember to add your name to the text!!) or preferably email becky.preen@ntlworld.com .
www.fblquiltingandcrafts.co.uk