Sewing Courses

We offer weekly, one and half day adult sewing courses,

along with weekly and one off children’s sewing courses,

on various aspects of sewing.

We have been teaching sewing courses for over 20 years in our purpose built studio.

WEEKLY SEWING COURSES

Patchwork & Quilting

Beginners

Thursday 10.00am - 12.30pm

Date to be confirmed

8 Weeks

ONE DAY & HALF DAY SEWING COURSES

“I’ve Never Used A

Sewing Machine”

Date to be confirmed

10.00am - 11.30am

If you don’t own a sewing machine and you wish you had the opportunity to try some but you’re not sure where to start. Then this course is perfect for you. We will provide a selection of sewing machines for you to try and to learn the basics of machine sewing with fabric.

Know Your Sewing Machine

(Mechanical Basic)

Date to be confirmed

10.00am - 12.30pm

We will show you how to use your own sewing machine. Any brand of machine is welcome on this course. Whether your machine is very basic with just a few stitches or has up to 50, then this is the course for you. Learning how to thread your sewing machine is just the start of your learning possibilities. (Please bring your sewing machine with you, materials are provided). If your machine has more stitches and buttons, then you can learn much more on our one day Know Your Sewing Machine course.

Know Your overlocker

Date to be confirmed

10.00am - 3.30pm

Do you have an overlocker and lack confidence using the machine? We will show you how simple it is to use. This course will build your confidence to tackle many overlocking techniques. This course is taught by an overlocker specialist. Please note you need to bring your overlocker with you and it must be in working order.

Know Your Sewing Machine

(Computerised)

Date to be confirmed

10.00am - 3.30pm

You will learn how to use the different stitches on your machine, how to combine stitches and save them into the memories of your machine. We will show you how to use the different accessory feet that came with your machine, along with some extra ones. You will stitch samples to refer to, covering dressmaking, embellishment, patchwork and quilting. Please note you will need to bring your machine and accessories with you. This course is taught by a sewing machine specialist.

Know Your Embroidery Unit

(Computerised)

Date to be confirmed

9.30am - 3.30pm

This is a follow on course to the one above. Once you have learnt how to use the sewing functions of your machine, we will show you how to use your embroidery unit. We will cover embroidery placement, combining designs within your machine’s capabilities along with rotation, mirroring, sizing and duplication. You will use different fabrics, stabilizers, threads and needles. Please note you will need to bring your sewing machine and embroidery unit with you. This course is taught by a sewing machine specialist. This course starts at 9.30am and finishes at 3.30pm.

Practical Sewing Techniques (zips, piping & pleating)

Date to be confirmed

10.00am - 12.30pm

Following on from our “Know Your Sewing Machine Course” I’m sure you would like to learn more sewing techniques. On this course you will learn how to insert zips, make your own piping, to insert into an enclosed seam. Master the art of gathering and pleating fabric in various ways for different types of sewing projects. Other sewing skills will be covered too. All fabrics and a sewing machine will be provided for you to use on this course.

Practical Sewing Techniques (perfect pockets)

Date to be confirmed

10.00am - 12.30pm

Interested in learning more sewing techniques. On this course you will learn how to professionally sew, various styles of pockets with a few tricks along the way. These sewing techniques can be applied to any garment or sewing project you wish to make or alter in the future. All fabrics and a sewing machine will be provided for you to use on the course.

Dressmaking Tips For Beginners

Date to be confirmed

Would you like a helping hand understanding the basics of dressmaking? Our experienced tutor is here to assist. This course will cover the techniques of cutting and pinning your pattern and fabric, finishing edges and seams, sewing darts, inserting zips, along with understanding dressmaking patterns and the terminology used. All fabrics and a sewing machine will be provided for you to use on the course.

Practical Sewing Techniques (miracle of interfacing)

Date to be confirmed

Understanding fabric characteristics and applying the appropriate interfacing is the key to any dressmaking project. Come to this indulgent course, feeling all the different textures of fabrics that we stock. Increase your knowledge while discussing fabric suitability for a selection of different garments. Choose and learn to apply a variety of interfacings we have sourced over the years. This course is perfect for anyone who wishes to create a more professional finish to their sewing. All fabrics and a sewing machine will be provided for you to use.

Know Your Sewing Machine

(Mechanical Basic)

Date to be confirmed

Practical Sewing Techniques (draft-cut-sew)

Date to be confirmed

Why does one fabric piece not fit the corresponding piece?

Why do my curved seams and hems have pointy sections?

Have you ever thought that your pattern pieces must be wrong?

We are here to explain all with this practical course. Understand how pattern pieces are made and learn the different effects that are created with the manipulation of fabric. Now’s your chance to up your sewing skills and improve the overall finish to your garments. You will create some pattern pieces with certain elements found in dressmaking. You’ll cut them from fabric and learn to sew them professionally on a sewing machine. This is a hands on course designed to take your sewing from looking homemade to bespoke. All fabrics and a sewing machine will be provided for you to use on the course.

Speed Tailoring

Date to be confirmed

Have you made a jacket before but you were not quite happy with the finish. Join us to learn the easy way to tailor any jacket pattern using the latest fusible interfacings. You will make half a sample size jacket learning techniques like sewing a perfect collar, setting in a two-piece sleeve and much more. All fabrics and a sewing machine will be provide for you to use on the course.

Sewing With Jersey Fabrics

Date to be confirmed

We stock a fabulous range of stretch fabrics which can be used for a variety of garments. We are often asked about the different types of jersey fabrics and the suitability for particular garment styles. We have designed a course to explain the mystery of how to handle, pin, cut, stitch and press this type of fabric. During this course you will make a sample top to learn these techniques and much more.

Jelly Roll Quilt

Date to be confirmed

Come and try this creative technique to make a lap quilt, using jelly roll strips and a sewing machine. If you like random designs and colours then this is for you. Make the quilt for yourself or as a gift for a friend. The quilt will have a soft feel backing, making it great to snuggle up with during the cold winter months. Anyone can make this quilt, there is no right or wrong way to the design. Due to the time allocated for this course, you may have to finish the quilt off at home. All fabrics and a sewing machine will be provide for you to use on the course. Instructions for completion will be available for you to take home.

Perfect Patchwork With

Liberty Prints

7^th October 2024

10.00am - 3.30pm

Using one of the latest collections from the Liberty’s Lasenby ranges of fabrics, you will make a beautiful quilted panel for a cushion or bag. With Valentine’s Day coming soon, share the love of creativity and book your friend a place as a gift, or gift them the finished project you’ve made with love.

Stitching Stars

for age 6 to 9 years.

Know Your Sewing Machine

Date to be confirmed

10.00am - 11.30am

Super Stitchers

for age 9 to 14 years.

Know Your Sewing Machine

Date to be confirmed

12.30pm - 2.30pm

Baby lock Overlocking Course

Saturday 14th September 2024

10.00am – 4.00pm

On this special one day course, Katy Inch from Baby lock will show you how to get the most out of your Baby lock overlocker or coverlock machine. Katy will provide some accessories for you to use on the day. Why not book this course and come and relax with a cup of tea or coffee, while you get to grips with a variety of useful accessories. This is the perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge and improve your sewing skills with the assistance of a Baby lock Educator. Katy has a vast knowledge of sewing and experience in this field. Customers are expected to know the basics of their Baby lock machine to attend this course. You will need to bring your Baby lock overlocker or coverlock machine with you to this course. Cost of this Course is £90

To receive details about any type of sewing course in the future,

please email sales@gilliesfabrics.co.uk

where we will be happy to assist.

Booking A Place

Please telephone or email us with your full name, address & telephone number,

along with the name and dates of the courses you wish to attend.

Terms & conditions

Paying Courses

Each course under £60 has to be paid in full when booking.

Courses over £60 may be booked with a £25 non-refundable deposit per course.

The balance is required to be paid 4 weeks prior to the start of the course.

You can transfer to another course up to 4 weeks before the start of the course you have booked and not once it has started.

A transfer fee of £25 is payable. Transferring a place from one person booked on a course to another individual is prohibited.

No refunds will be given on paying courses.

All courses take place in our studio at the shop.

We have the latest Husqvarna Viking, Janome, Juki & Babylock machines in the studio ready to use.

Please do not bring your sewing machine with you unless you are booked onto a Know Your Sewing Machine or Overlocker Course.

Your machine must be in good working order to use it on these specific course.

Please note, we will not be able to fix your machine on the day if it incurs a problem.

If you have any queries please e-mail us or

telephone us on 01904 626244 where we will be happy to assist.

Gillies Fabrics

2 Peter Lane

York

YO1 8SW

We are located in the centre of York, just off Market Street,

Market Street runs between the new Boots store on Coney Street and

HSBC Bank on Parliament Square.

Half way down Market Street you will see Superdrug on a corner.

Walk round the corner onto Peter Lane,

where you will find us located on the right-hand side.