Miss Libby Rose

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Classes

Sewing Equipment

At all of our events we come fully equipped with fantastic things to use to create your perfect piece of work, from a simple cushion or apron to a fully tailored skirt.

Domestic Sewing Machines.

We have 10 domestic sewing machines from the simplistic early Bernina’s to the more complex and facy new Janome’s and those inbetween. We also have a couple of semi industrial machines that have a stronger threshold, and are still cool for zips and delicates as well as heavy denims etc.

Domestic Overlocker + Rolled Hemmer

For the most professional finish, we use overlockers and Rolled Hemming machines. These exciting machines use 3-4 threads to edge fabric before sewing seams together.
The use of this is briefly touched on in stage 3 of the Absolute Bginners Class.

You can also sew seams together with it, whilst cutting them and securing the edge so the fabric doesn’t fray producing a professional finish to your seams.

I should think if you all look inside your garments there will be an overlocked edge.

Industrial Overlocker + Rolled Hemmimg machine
Fabulous hard working overlocker, this machine is for the more advanced sewer, and produces the same finish as above.

Heavy Duty Steamer
We have a fantastic heavy duty steamer that will steam out all the creases and give a nice professional finish to your piece. We also have a few domestic irons if you would prefer. Ironing boards and Sleeve ironing boards are used alongside these.

Scissors- for paper and for fabric
- One of THE most important things to remember and scream at people about is there are separate scissors for fabric and for paper. Fabric scissors must NEVER be used for paper.

Thread clippers
-Little scissors sometimes attached to the machines for clipping threads.

Pinking shears
-Sadly these babies are not just for a pretty zigzag edge finish, they are also a useful tool. They are used for finishing seams and raw edges, they are supposed to do a similar job to an over locker, if you don’t have an overlocker they are a cheap (not quite as effective) alternative.

Chalk
- This is used for drawing round a paper pattern and transferring all the information on to the fabric. The chalk is easily brushed off leaving no trace.

Fabric pen
-Exactly the same use as the chalk except these babies have disappearing ink in them- for all those sewing spies out there!

Metal/ wooden ruler and Pattern masters
-For measuring straight lines, metre rulers for a straight edge finish. The Pattern Master is a fantastic tool for drawing curves and seam allowances.

Stitch unpick/ Stitch rippers etc
- This little useful tool is for undoing stitches, whether for inserting a placket or for undoing annoying mistakes. Rippers are also used for opening up buttonholes. They come in two sizes the smaller one is a general tool for us lazy ladies, but officially difference is the smaller one should only be used for undoing stitches and the larger one for undoing seams and button holes.

- The ball acts as a guide through the fabric and the hook and sharp bit cuts through the stitches and the fabric if needed.

Set Square
-Used for measuring again but also for finding and marking the bias. (The bias- a slanting direction across the grain of the fabric.)

Cutting table
(x3) - Where we cut fabric and paper patterns.

Pattern paper
-We use dot and cross paper at the studio, but you can get graph paper too. Pattern paper is for drawing up and working out your pattern in the pattern cutting process.

Pattern card
-Once you are pleased that your pattern is perrrfect and works like a dream it is time to transfer the pattern onto card. The reason for this is that card is less easily damaged or ripped.

Tape measure
-Flexible plasticized fabric marked with cm’s and inches usually found round Beth or Libby’s necks, also used as cool ties!

Dressmaker’s pins
- Silver, spikey and pinney! These ones have a flat head and are used to hold the fabric together as you sew.

Different dressmakers mannequins
- We have a variety here, men, women and adjustable ones. It is also possible to get legs, arms and heads!

Rouleau or Loop turners
-These are lovely tools that help if you’ve sewn a tube of fabric that needs to be turned right side out, you attach one end of the fabric to one of the ends of the turner and push it through.

Make Do and Mend

Mend and Make do to save buying new!

Mrs Sew n Sew was the pioneer in the make do and mend movement of the wartime 1940's. She was thrifty with a needle and rallied the gals together to show how you still could live a life of fashion on a budget of rations.

Why not take a leaf out of Mrs Sew n Sew's book and have your own eco sewing and craft party? Rally the guys and gals together and have a 'make do and mend' workshop. Create hats and accessories out of fabric scraps, or have a swishing party!

Gather your friends at someone's house and get ALL those bits and bobs you haven’t thrown away sorted and ready to wear.

If you would like to run a make do and Mend Workshop with a group of colleagues or friends or even as a Craft team building exercise, please contact me, and I can set you up in your own space with all the machinery and equipment and expertise required for a fun 'make do and mend session'

Here are the options:-

'Miss Libby Rose: Make Do and Mend Afternoon or Morning Tea Session'

1) Alterations, mending and customising clothing and accessories is the name of the game. In this sewing and customising workshop we will look at taking hems up, hems taken down, waistbands taken in, waistbands taken out, dress alterations, new zips, button holes, you name it, we’ll help you learn how.

2) Customising - revamp, re-work, recycle:
We will look at fabric flowers, corsage’s, making something out of old unused clothing, fabric scraps or anything you fancy - the only limit is your imagination!

Contact me for pricing and availability.

Brilliant Bags

This exciting workshop is all about making wonderful fabric bags

We have a range of beautiful patterns to create anything from fabric grocery bags to super cool classy clutch bags..

We can also help you to create or alter one of our (or your) patterns to make something totally unique.

The fabrics and the decoration is up to you…whatever you make in this workshop will be one of a kind. Make them fabulously individual, super cool cushions and brilliant bags. Add some images by applique.

If you would like to set up a Brilliant Bags workshop in your home with friends or with your colleauges as a 'crafty team building exercise' please contact me for further information.

Fancy Pants & Knock-out Knickers

Hey You…. Fancy Pants!

Ever wanted to make your very own original pair of saucy knickers?!?

Well, here is your chance in our Fabulous Fancy Pants making workshop, involving very simplistic ‘knickers’ making.

After you have created your initial shape, we can then decorate with ribbons, ruffled lace, and anything else? The only limit to this is your imagination!

If you would like us to run a Fancy Pants workshop at your home with some friends as a party (these are fantastic for Hen Parties!) or in the office as a Crafty Team Building exercise please contact us for more information on costing and logistics.

A Few of My Favourite Things

Create surprisingly easy summer dresses, and learn to take a pattern from an existing dress.

This class has slightly changed since the last time we ran it.. so do read on before booking!

An item of clothing that you love but you’ve always wanted it in a different fabric or it’s falling apart and you wear it all the time or you just simply can’t get that style anymore as the high street is totally dictating your wardrobe? Well, let that be the case no more- make a stand and make stuff yourself! We will teach you how to make a pattern from an existing item of clothing so you can re-create it in whatever colour or fabric you want.

We will also have easy dress patterns to get you designing and making a shape that is just right for you!!

One day workshop on Sunday 25th October at 10.30am at Greenwich Market in our new fabulous marquee!

Absolute Beginners Sewing Class

Absolute Beginners Sewing Classes, is a fun and simple way to learn to sew in the heart of Greenwich, SE10.

These beginners classes are split into three-part stages, and are set in a fun, informal and relaxed atmosphere, while you are guided into the wonderful world of sewing.

These beginners workshops are an all day intensive Saturday or Sunday class, and are located in the very crafty cool ‘Greenwich Undercover Market.’ Set in three stages, and you are welcome to join in at any stage. If you are a not an absolute beginner sewer and just need a top-up refresher class to remember a few handy tips, you can join in at stage two or three, simply book on the stage 2 + 3 beginner intensive for £80.00. On the other hand, if you are a complete novice and just want a taster, you can also just book on stage 1 £40.00 to see how you like it.

Stage One Sewing for Absolute Beginners:

Threading up the machine, learning about the varying types of sewing machines available on the market and gaining some advice and handy tips to help you look into buy your very own domestic machine. You will get cracking on the machine straight away.... playing with stitch lengths, width and the many types of standard and decorative sewing stitches available on our various machines. In the second half of the sewing class we will start a small project currently a ‘handy bag’ which will get you used to choosing and cutting different types of fabric, laying fabric, chalking out (simply) from a pattern, and cutting. We will learn different techniques including using seam allowance, pulling through ties, pressing and machine control. You will generally be getting comfortable within a sewing environment.

Stage Two Sewing for Absolute Beginners:

We will teach you about the bobbin and the bottom thread of the sewing machine that enables the stitch to be made, this includes the tension on the varying machines. We also look at sewing needles and why different needles are used and how they are inserted, and a look at the different sewing threads that are used for differing fabrics. We also have a look at the ‘feet’ for the machine such as the zip foot, piping foot and button hole. If time permits we look at putting in zips in this class, and have a go at button holes, if not this is covered in stage 3. For the creative part of this class, we learn about customising your newly made tote bag. Customising techniques are a great way to learn about creatively manipulating the machine to get it to do what you want it to do!

Stage Three Sewing for Absolute Beginners:

In this final stage of the beginners class we learn about seams and their uses for fashion, interiors and other sewing projects. The main taught section in this stage is looking at the overlocker and its uses, the wonders of the overlocker, how it works and how it can be easily manipulated.

Stage three begins with the basic seam (overlocked and pressed open with a seam allowance) You are then lead through all the new seams by the examples that are set for you from the basic seam right through to curved, french, gathered and many others. In this final stage of the beginners workshop you are encouraged to take notes on your seams as these are for you to take home and refer to on all your future sewing projects and also to ask as many questions as you can!

Miss Libby Rose Tweets