.png)
Date and time: Sunday 6th December 10am-4pm
Venue: Earthbeat Centre, Saltburn
£95
Make your own Christmas stocking!
Suitable for beginner sewists, we'll be creating this Christmas stocking in the festive fabric of your choice. Within the session I'll be providing a selection of Christmas fabrics, enough for everyone to make at least one stocking. The fabrics provided will also be readily available to buy locally and you'll get the pattern to take away so if you want to make more to match after the session, you'll be able to do so.
Included:
-
Fabric and thread for 1 stocking,
-
Christmas stocking sewing pattern to take away in case you want to make more at home,
-
How to thread up and use a sewing machine
-
Making the stocking, lining, cuff and loop
-
Inserting the lining, attaching the loop to the cuff and the cuff to the stocking
Date and time: Monday evenings 6-8pm beginning January 18th 2027 (full dates below)
venue: Friends Meeting House, Skinnergate, Darlington
11 weekly classes: £470 one off payment or 3 payments of £160
In this course we'll be learning all the skills you'll need to make yourself a top working from a pattern of your choice.
You will also get a full individual colour consultation in which you'll learn to understand the shades that truly suit you, so you can choose your fabrics with far more confidence. The first half of your consultation will take place in class hours, the second half is better done in daylight and will take place at a time that suits you at Siobhan’s home studio in Darlington.
The Sewing Part
By the end of this course you will be able to:
-
Thread and use a sewing machine correctly
-
Choose and follow a sewing pattern
-
Select the right fabrics for your sewing pattern
-
Adapt and fit your pattern
-
Finish your garments in a beautiful and professional way
At the end of the course you will come away with at least one garment made by you.
.png)
.png)
Throughout the term Saff will also be teaching various sewing techniques such as different fastenings, darts, gathers and more. We will be making samples of these so that even if they aren't included in your garment, you'll know what to do when they come up in future patterns.
Materials for samples will be provided in class. I am happy to advise on sourcing materials and patterns for the garment(s) of your choice.
The Colour Consultation
Each week, Siobhan, our trained colour consultant will work with one member of the group to explore their personal style, colour likes and dislikes, and clothing and lifestyle needs.
Together with Siobhan you’ll then arrange a one-hour colour draping session in natural daylight, at a time that suits you.
Following your consultation, you’ll receive a bespoke 5-page colour report, covering your undertone, colour season, WOW colours and most flattering metallics.
Siobhan will also create a personalised 100-pin Pinterest board filled with outfit inspiration and colour combinations to help you make the most of your palette.
Throughout the course, Siobhan will attend the classes, so you can ask questions and get personalised colour guidance when choosing fabrics and creating your own clothes.
Full Dates and booking
Sew your colours is now open for booking follow the link below to get involved! Full dates as follows:
January 18th and 25th
February 1st and 8th
(Half term Break)
February 22nd
March 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd
(Easter Break)
April 5th and 12th
Date and time: Wednesdays 6-8pm beginning 20th January 2027 (full date list below)
Venue: Earthbeat Centre, Saltburn
10 weekly classes: £345 one off payment or £120/month for 3 months
In this course we will focus on making tops. You can take the course on its own or you can combine it with two other 10 week courses that take place throughout the year, one on trousers/skirts (Sep-Nov) and another on one piece garments or another garment of your choosing (Apr-Jul).
If you choose to take all three you will end the year with all the skills you need to make your own clothes for life!
By the end of this course you will be able to:
-
Thread and use a sewing machine correctly
-
Choose and follow a sewing pattern
-
Choose the right fabrics for your sewing pattern
-
Adapt and fit your pattern
-
Finish your garments in a beautiful and professional way
At the end of the course you will come away with at least one garment made by you and the skills to make many more!
Throughout the term I will also be teaching techniques for different kinds of pockets and fastenings and we will be making samples of these so that even if they aren't included in your garment, you'll know what to do when they come up in future patterns.
Materials for samples will be provided in class. I am happy to advise on sourcing materials and patterns for the garment(s) of your choice.
Dates in full:
January 20th, 27th
February 3rd, 10th
Half term break
February 24th
March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
The next 10 week course will begin in April 2027
.png)
.png)
Date and time: TBD
Venue: TBD
Although everyone struggles to get clothes they love in sizes and shapes that are right for their bodies, it can be even more of a challenge for us and so I started Queer Sewing Club to empower us to create our own.
Now I'm looking to bring it to York and make it bigger and better than ever!
Queer Sewing York will be a structured, taught class where you'll learn techniques and skills while making garments you love. I've yet to work out the details (Little things like dates and venues and pricing!) But if it sounds good to you, follow the link below to leave your details and you'll be the first to know when it's ready to go!
Although the class will be centred around Queer experiences we also welcome allies so there's no need to identify as Queer in order to attend.
Thursday evening 6-8pm
Dates for 2026
October 8th and 22nd
November 12th and 26th
December 10th
Redcar Palace Hub
Queer sewing is about learning the skills to create the clothes we love in sizes and shapes that fit our bodies. It is for everyone regardless of experience level, gender identity or sexual orientation. We have complete beginners working on simple patterns and learning to use the sewing machines alongside more experienced sewers learning to cut their own made to measure patterns. You are welcome to set your own sewing goals and work at your own pace in this relaxed informal weekly group.
Mondays or Tuesdays
Your home or workplace
£240 for 1 person
£280 for 2-3 people
£300 for 4 people
No sewing experience necessary
6 hours can be taken either as one full day session, 2 x 3 hour sessions or 3 x 2 hour sessions.
Sewing for beginners includes:
-
6 hours of tuition in your own home on your own machine (or a borrowed one if you don't have your own)
-
Fabric and thread for this tote bag
-
The sewing pattern for this bag
-
Use of any other equipment needed
You will learn:
-
Sewing machine threading and basic care
-
How to follow a pattern
-
How to do a French seam
-
Finishing skills
-
The first steps to making your own clothes
.png)
Mondays or Tuesdays
Your house
from £80 per 2 hour session
1-4 people
Learn to sew or knit in your own environment using your own equipment. Great if you want one to one support with a specific project or you have a small group of friends who'd like to learn to sew or knit together. Suitable for all levels
1-2 people £80/2 hour session
3-4 people £100/2 hour session
I began both sewing and knitting as a child with the help of my mum and my nana but my enthusiasm really took off when, as a teenager, I knew exactly what clothes I wanted but couldn't find them in the shops. I started creating what I could using the few skills I'd picked up (in the days before YouTube) and when I was 20, enrolled on a fashion city and guilds that helped me refine my sewing skills in exactly the ways I needed to to make the clothes I loved.
My knitting skills developed at the same time and before long I started writing knitting patterns for magazines and yarn companies including Knit Now and Knitpicks. Eventually I began to feel that I'd love to pass on the skills I'd learnt and to do so in a real world setting. That's when I was fortunate enough to partner with Tees Valley Arts at the Redcar Palace Hub and Queer Sewing was born in November 2025.
.png)