Bee Creative
Bee Creative
Join us for 3 fabulous days of creativity with styling consultation from GBSB winner, Caz, and expert technical tuition from Sew Different’s own tutors. Use your beloved fabric remnants to create a unique piece of fabric. Then fashion your fabric into an amazing, one-off dress.
Day 1 – You will be patchworking* your precious scraps. You may choose to incorporate pieces of braid, vintage fabrics, pieces of past clothes that you can’t bear to be parted from. Maybe you will mix and match your denims, patchwork your linen leftovers and throw in a bit of glittery brocade for good measure.
Careful placement for a balanced overall effect is key. Or for those who are more ambitious, you might try a patchwork gradient, moving smoothly from pinks to blues, with every shade of purple in between. Or maybe it will be a more structured approach with regular stripes of different fabrics.
It’s time to raid your stash. We recommend that you bring more than you plan to use so that you have plenty of options. There will also be the opportunity to purchase from Sew Different’s own fabric range of fabrics, should you need to fill any gaps.
*Please note that this is NOT traditional patchwork. We don’t recommend using pieces smaller than approximately A4 for the most part or you will not be able to get your fabric finished in a day. See Caz’s dress below for the patchwork effect.
THE WORKSHOP
Day 2 – Once you’ve finished your unique panel of fabric you can plan your dress. Choose any pattern from the Sew Different range. It’s all about the pattern placement. We recommend a simple shape to show off your bespoke fabric to maximum effect. Plan and cut your dress with a view to showing off your favourite bits. Colours can be offset, stripes can be turned 90 degrees and pockets can be added.
Day 3 – A final day for finishing your seams and adding the finishing touches – patch pockets, matching trims, pretty labels and metal wear can be added. And maybe, if you are finished early, you will use the leftovers of your fabric for a second garment.
You can go home with a work of art that you can wear. Unique in every way.
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THE VENUE
Sew Different is located within the Dean Clough mill complex in a dedicated sewing studio with lots of natural light. All equipment is provided, although you are welcome to bring your own sewing machine if you prefer. We are located on the first floor with lift access.
Dean Clough is a thriving 22-acre mixed-use mill complex, stretching half a mile in length and consisting of 16 Grade II listed Victorian mills. Where it was once a working textile mill, it is now a community encompassing work spaces, art galleries, a theatre, restaurants, bars, shops and a hotel!
Address: Sew Different, Suite E107, E Mill, Dean Clough, Halifax HX3 5AX
THE AREA
Yorkshire is famous for its rolling green countryside and hosts some fantastic places to visit, including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Cannon Hall, Leeds city centre with its Victorian shopping arcades and the famous Titanic Spa. There are also great walking and cycling routes for anyone who is thinking of bringing along a non-sewing partner!
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is not included on the course. There is a basic but serviceable Travel Lodge on site located a 2 minute walk from the studio. For a more luxurious choice, Akroyd House has 4 rooms and is a 5 minute walk away (use the code SEW for a £5 discount). Halifax town centre, bus station and train station are a ten minute walk from the studio. There is parking on site (free evenings and weekends).
WHAT TO EXPECT
This 3 day workshop is designed to take your creativity to the next level. Under expert guidance from GBSB winner, Caz Wilson, you’ll spend 3 full days mulling over fabrics, deciding on trims, tweaking your patterns, adding details and styling your finished piece. You’ll leave with a unique garment that is truly one-of-a-kind with plenty of input from the expert herself.
WHAT’S INCLUDED ON THE COURSE:
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- Dedicated studio sewing with expert teaching – maximum of 8 students
- Use of all sewing machines and sewing equipment
- Styling advice from Caz and technical tuition from Tara
- A Sew Different pattern of your choice
- A delicious lunch everyday of the course
- Teas, coffees and snacks every day in the studio
- Opportunity to browse and purchase Sew Different’s own range of fabrics
- A 20% discount on all additional Sew Different patterns
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:
- Lots of fabric and haberdashery remnants – use fabrics of a similar weight for a flowing finish. But you don’t necessarily need to stick to this – denims, velvets and brocades can combine well with lighter fabrics in the right place on a garment. Don’t forget faux fur scraps work well as trims. Strips of selvedges, ties, embroidered trims, webbing and ribbon can be stitched together to make larger pieces. Buttons, D rings and poppers can be a great feature, even if they are not needed in the structure.
Hours: 9.30am – 4.30pm each day
Cost £395 – £100 deposit required to book your place and the full balance required 6 weeks before the course starts. Please note that deposits are non-refundable. Available dates:
If you’ve missed out on a place REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE for the next date
Bee Creative
£100.00
Private workshops for solo sewists or small groups can be arranged. They can be run to a similar format as our listed workshops but you would have the studio to yourselves. The advantage of this is that we can customise the itinerary to suit you. Please email [email protected] to discuss your requirements.
