Sewing Lessons with Maria
I offer private sewing lessons in a tranquil space, allowing you to go at your own pace and build your confidence with using a sewing machine. I also teach hand sewing and embroidery.
I have a simple lesson structure and a range of basic projects which work really well for beginners or initial lessons. From there we make a plan that suits you to get you to whatever it is you hope to achieve. Please see more information below.
The basic hourly rate is £22.50 for a one-to-one lesson, £30 for a lesson for two (£15 each).
I offer ‘6 hours for the price of 5 hours’ and a 20% discount for booking 8 or more hours. There’s also a 25% discount for under 18s.
Lessons are usually 2 or 3 hours long but arrangements can be made for longer sessions. Lessons can be scheduled at a time and frequency that works for you. I teach at various times in the week, including evenings and weekends.
I don’t just teach you the skills, I also share my sewing, fabric and pattern knowledge and the many tips I have learnt from years of sewing. I want you to discover the joy that can be had from getting creative with sewing.
Sewing will make you happy! It’s good for you and, with the right choices, can also be good for the planet.
It can help you liberate your wardrobe and bring joyful handmade items to your life and home.
Let me help you stitch & flourish!
Making a booking is very easy.
Click any of the ‘book now’ buttons on this website to be taken to my online calendar & booking system.
Choose which length lesson you would like and it will show you my availability for you to make a reservation.
I will respond to this reservation with more details and an invoice for you to please confirm the booking with payment.
If you would prefer to chat first please use the ‘get in touch’ button to send me your contact details.
Once a lesson is booked I try to be really flexible should you need to change the arrangements. Please see my Terms of Service for more information.
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Sewing for beginners
Learn the basics of using a sewing machine in a relaxed & friendly environment.
I supply all the materials and tools you will need for your first few lessons. This includes the use of a basic sewing machine unless you have your own that you would like to learn to use.
You’re welcome to book for a single introductory lesson to get to know how to set up a sewing machine, however I recommend a series of three 2 hour lessons for beginners. This allows us to work through a number of small projects that get you trying and repeating different techniques to build up your confidence and basic skills. We typically start with an appliquéd pin cushion and follow this up with a drawstring bag and zip purse. This can easily be adapted to suit your interests.
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Sewing for improvers
If you are keen to learn to make your own clothes I would love to help you! I can usually get most non-sewers to making a simple pair of PJ shorts on lesson 3 and 4. We tend to follow this with an a-line skirt or woven top before moving to more complex garments such as trousers, dresses or more tricky fabrics with movement or stretch.
I can also do sessions focused on specific techniques and share the methods I’ve learnt to prefer. Inserting zips, adding buttonholes, using shirring elastic, creating rolled hems etc
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Sewing for under 18s
I learnt to use a sewing machine at a young age so love to encourage any young people showing an interest in sewing.
Lessons are suitable for age 8 + and I offer an additional 25% discount for ages 8-18.
Learning these kind of skills at a young age can be great for their manual dexterity and the muscle memories will last a lifetime.
It’s also a great pastime for building confidence and for young people who have a preference for more practical and creative learning.
I invite parents (or guardians) to accompany the under 12 sewers. There are comfy sofas at the other end of the room where you can sit to work or read and enjoy a cup of tea.
I do have a full & valid DBS check with the church for the roles I do for the church.
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Sewing with a friend
I also offer these lessons for two people. Share the experience (and some of the expense) with a friend or family member.
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Liberate your wardrobe!
Learn to make clothes that fit and flatter your shape. Be inspired by fashion but make clothes to your own unique style. Choose fabrics that will last and that you will love to wear and take care of.
Look out for garments and fabrics that catch your eye in the charity shops and learn how to restyle or repurpose them to give them a second life.
Or shop your own wardrobe! - have you kept hold of items that no longer fit or actually never suited you because you love the fabric it is has sentimental value. Let’s liberate those items to be used and loved again!
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Make joyful items for your life & home
I’ve long been an advocate of the William Morris approach to “have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful”
Learn to make items for your home or gifts for your friends that will give you and them joy whenever they are used.
Patchwork quilts, cushion covers, curtains, oven gloves, storage boxes, bags etc.