Machine Sewing for Beginners - Creative Gifts - Hucknall Library - Adult Learning

Are you ready to unlock your creativity, learn a timeless skill, and make something truly your own? Then this class is the perfect place to begin your sewing adventure. No prior experience is required just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Whether you're creating for yourself, your family and friends or the home, we look forward to joining you on your sewing journey.

This course is designed for all, from the complete beginner who has never touched a sewing machine to those who feel they would like a refresher or to dust off rusty skills. You’ll begin by getting comfortable with your sewing machine, learning how to thread up and fill a bobbin and making something simple like a reusable gift bag. As you progress, you’ll develop core techniques such as straight stitching, seam finishing and basic construction methods. The course also covers how to select and prepare fabrics and interfacings, use simple patterns effectively and handle essential sewing tools with confidence.

Throughout the course, you’ll choose to work on a series of gift projects, such as bucket hats and beach bags for the holidays, festive stockings and reusable gift wrap, make-up bags and pencil cases, tablet and phone cases, aprons and oven gloves and much more. Make them coordinate or go for a riot of colour, it’s completely up to you to choose.

By the end of the course, you will: Have at least three creative gifts to take home Be able to work safely and confidently with a sewing machine Have a good understanding of transferable skills for future sewing projects Understand the importance of using the correct needles, feet and thread for the project Understand how simple patterns are used Be able to create and finish different types of seams Have an understanding of different types of fabric and thread and be able to choose the correct ones for your project

What you will need to bring to the course:

Half a meter of cotton fabric, something the same weight as a duvet cover, a pillow case is ideal.

Good quality matching thread, Gutterman is a good brand and sews well.

Handy to have; scissors, tape measure, notebook and pencil

Later on we will need, depending on your chosen projects;

2 – 3 meters of different, assorted patterned fabric or a Fat Quarter bundle

Assorted Zips; Number 3 Nylon only to match your fabrics. 30cm is a good length

1 meter of Iron On wadded Interfacing. Vlieseline H630 OR H640 Volume Fleece Batting is perfect

You may need some of the following depending on your chosen project

1 meter Vlieseline Vilene 6624 Interfacing Medium OR Vlieseline Vilene F220 Recycled Interfacing Medium, to reinforce fine fabrics and pockets

1/2 meter of Borsal-IN-R-Foam bag stabilizer, for very structured bags or storage boxes

1 meter of Insul-Bright - Insulated Wadding, for oven gloves, bottle coolers and lunch bags

Sash cord for rope bowls and bags

Please do not choose fabric with stretch or heavy weight furnishing fabric

Duvet covers and pillow cases are a good source of budget friendly fabric and are lovely to sew.

If you are recycling fabric then please make sure it is clean.