Pretty Little Patchwork - Arnold Library - Community Learning

About this course

Have you always wanted to learn patchwork skills but have felt daunted by starting on a quilt or a cushion? This is an opportunity to learn essential skills for this absorbing needlecraft, creating a useful item for your needlework tool kit, that you can complete in a half day course!  Or maybe you have already worked on larger patchwork projects and would like to finesse your work on more intricate piecing, or learn hand piecing rather than machine patchwork.  

We shall make a patchwork pin cushion, from calculating and drawing our own templates to the finished item.  All techniques can be applied to other hand patchwork projects.  

What will be covered on the course?  

• The item we make will be a patchwork pin cushion made from two hexagon rosettes.  Learners will be taught how to draw and make accurate templates and paper pieces for their work, for using the English Paper Piecing method of patchwork.  We will consider colour theory in putting our fabrics together to create a harmonious or eye catching blend. Learners will be taught how to make their fabric patches and the correct stitching techniques for assembling and finishing a patchwork pin cushion.   

What will learners achieve by the end of the course?  

• Calculate and accurately draw a regular hexagon for the template of the paper pieces 
• Consider basic colour theory in putting together co-ordinating, complementary or contrasting colours and prints of fabric for the overall design of the pin cushion 
• Design hexagon rosettes using the above knowledge and skills 
• Execute appropriate cutting and stitching techniques for English Paper Piecing 
• Construct a pin cushion, which can be made of small scraps of fabric using Zero Waste principles 
• Reflect on the impact of hand stitching on our emotional and mental wellbeing 
• Stretch and challenge: If learners finish their pin cushion with time to spare there is a further project of a hexagonal needle case which they can attempt (or this can be worked on after class in learners’ own time).  Instructions will be given 

What skills or knowledge do learners already need to have to attend the course? 

• Learners do not need any experience of patchwork as all techniques will be taught on the day. Basic knowledge of hand stitching will be an advantage, but not absolutely necessary. 

What should learners bring?

• Small pieces of quilting weight cotton fabric (cotton poplin or cotton lawn can be used for work this small). Fat quarters specifically cut for patchwork, good cotton fabric from worn out summer skirts, dresses, blouses or from charity shops or remnants of fabric from other projects can be used. Boyes, Hobbycraft, Dunelm all sell packs of fat quarters, or quilting weight fabric can be bought online. The Fabric Quarter on Bailgate in Lincoln is a treasure trove of suitable fabrics with very helpful and knowledgeable staff. I would recommend not bringing any fabric smaller than about 15cm by 10cm (6 inches by 4 inches), a piece of card e.g cereal box or the back of a greetings card, scrap paper like old letters (printer weight paper), pen, pencil, ruler, sewing needle and thread to tone with fabric, scissors, pins. You may wish to bring your own compass set, but the tutor will have these available to use in class 

Booking your place and fee information

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course  please visit our webpage for further information  https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/

To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done:

• Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING.
• Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course.

You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking.  If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email.

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas:

• Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Greater London
• Greater Manchester
• Liverpool City Region
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland
• Tees Valley
• West of England
• West Midlands
• West Yorkshire

Any questions?

Check the FAQs page, or get in touch:

• By phone: 01623 677 200
• By email: learning@inspireculture.org.uk

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