» Listings for 2018

1. Teacher Profile: Laura Cole

   Posted on 11:00am Wednesday 31st Oct 2018

   We sat down with our lovely teacher Laura to find out what she likes to sew plus a few sneaky tips...

   Laura has been teaching at Sew In Brighton for many years - a whole range of courses including Patchwork & Quilting, Replicate Your Clothes, Applique & Free Machine Embroidery plus general sewing & dressmaking in our Stitch Classes. We love Laura for her warmth, humour, kindness & care she takes of each & every student (and us at Sew In Brighton!)

   What do you enjoy most about teaching sewing at Sew In Brighton? 
   The students! 

   What's your favourite sewing technique or skill either to teach or to do yourself? 
   I think free machine embroidery is really fun and usually when students learn how to do it they get really into it, which is lovely!

   Do you have one sewing tip to share that you think really speeds up or revolutionises people's sewing in some way? 
   I'd say choose the best fabric you can afford. Feel the fabric before you buy it.  In the fabric shop unroll a bit and see what it looks like from a distance and even hold it in front of a mirror. It's all about the fabric for me. 

   What sort of things do you sew yourself, either for you or to sell?
   When I have time to sew for myself I like making clothes and altering bargain finds from charity shops. I also make bags and small accessories from recycled fabrics which I sell through Appendage in Kensington Gardens. 

   What's the most amazing/your favourite thing you ever made and why?
   I have a turquoise silk velvet coat that was a really tricky fabric to sew but it makes me happy every time I wear it!

   What was the first thing you ever sewed in your life and how long ago was it? 
   Well, in 1972 I was 12 and my Mum helped me make a pair of corduroy flares. Really flared!

   What are you making next for yourself? 
   My wardrobe is missing a red dress. Why don't I have one? Maybe that is next. 

   What is your wish for students who come to your classes?  Either for their experience at Sew In Brighton or in their future. 
   Most importantly I hope they have fun and enjoy the experience. Secondly I hope they feel inspired and more confident to carry on sewing at home. 

   Laura will be teaching Thursday morning Stitch Classes from Dec 18-Mar 19.  She also teaches Sew a Rucksack workshop, Replicate Your Clothes, Sew a Coatigan in a Day, Hen Parties and 1-2-1 lessons
   

   Check out her designs on Instagram: @one.off.brighton

2. Trend Alert! Step out with confidence in cosy boiled wool

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 25th Sep 2018

   Boiled wool is our favourite trend for Autumn! The amazing thing about this fabric is you can cut and leave the edge and it won't fray.  We've used it here to make our easy to sew Coatigan for our new workshop.  This is a throw-it-over-anything garment that's so versatile to wear, you'll want to live in it all season!  

   

   We've tried and tested this wonderful, warm and luxurious 100% pure boiled wool knit.  It's available online from Stitch Fabrics in a variety of colours - navy / rose pink / lime, grey marl / tan & other colours! £20/m. 

    

   View fabric info for this workshop

    

   View/book our Sew a Coatigan in a day workshop

    

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   We also love this on-trend animal print wool mix coating fabric, from local fabric superstars Fabric Godmother which you can also leave raw-edged for a coatigan.  Perfect for sassy winter warmth! £24/m

    

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   Alternative Fabric: Sweatshirting

    

   This is another super trendy & cosy fabric option for making a coatigan.  These are our favourite!...

   
   1) On a Budget  Fluffy fleecy backed sweatshirting (100% polyester) from Fabric Land in Brighton.  A great way to test out this project on a budget before remaking in a more expensive cloth. £5.69/m
   
   2) Winter Luxury  Fur plush back sweatshirting online from London based Ray-Stitch.  SIB owner Kat REALLY wants to make a coatigan in this stunning fabric! £20/m
   
   3) Go Green  Organic cotton fleece back sweatshirting from Organic Textile Company's online shop.  It comes in a variety of colours and is VERY wide, meaning it will cost you less in fabric to make a garment from it. From £10/m
   

    

   

    

   View/book our Sew a Coatigan in a day workshop

3. How I made my own dress from just a picture. Jacqui Rush - Student Blogger Series

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 17th May 2018

   

   I wanted to recreate the style of the dress in the picture on the right but wasn't sure where to start.  I've done a bit of sewing before in the past but that was many years ago and I wanted to do something creative again. I love the 1940's style and it's hard to find vintage garments in my size, so making my own clothes was the perfect solution!

   I started my project in January 2018. I came to the first lesson with Kat in Sew In Brighton's Stitch! General Sewing & Clothes Making Classes in Hove. These are on several times a week so I could fit them round my personal schedule. I arrived with with just:

   • a picture of what I wanted to make - a 1940s style day dress. It had a side button detail (that you see in the illustration above on the right). I'd printed it from Pinterest
   • some calico
   • and lots of trepidation!  However I was made very welcome and first day nerves were soon dissipated in the friendly, cosy atmosphere of the Sewing Lounge.

4. Guest Blogger: Leigh-anne's wrap dress project

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 12th Apr 2018

   Stage 1 - 21/03/2018

   I have been wanting to make my own wrap dress for a while now and with spring/summer approaching I thought there’s no better time than now.  I have chosen dress style C from the Butterick B5030 Pattern.  After looking at few patterns, this one appealed to me the most as it has six different versions of the dress which gives the flexibility to cater to different styles.  In particular, dress C was the closest to what I was after.

   I decided not to cut the pattern supplied directly as I wanted the option to make the different versions/sizes in the future.  So I measured my waist, bust, high bust and nape to waist before selecting my pattern size.  I then compared my measurements to the pattern and chose the appropriate sizing. After tracing and cutting the pattern I did a tissue fitting with help from Kat.  A few adjustments later and it’s now ready for fabric cutting!

   Leigh-anne has been coming to classes for exactly a year today, and has now secured a job at Alma's Alterations in Brighton, congratulations! She also has an Instagram feed showing her sewing journey @madebylaluk