Queensway Crafts & Textiles Centre

10/10/2026

21/09/2026

Edited to say that the Introduction to Dressmaking’ and the Nov/Dec Bo sweater are fully booked.

*NEW COURSES BOOKING NOW*

Introduction to Dressmaking: Tuesdays 6.30-8.30pm November 3rd, 10th and 17th.

Take your first steps into making clothes! We will cover essential skills such as taking accurate measurements, choosing what size to make, and how to use a pattern. As part of the course we will make the Friday Pattern Company square neck top (as pictured). As we make we'll learn how to sew darts, make a facing and general construction techniques.
The price for this course is £60. You will need to purchase appropriate fabric. Your pattern is included in the price.
In order to access this course you must have attended our beginners course or similar.

Make it Yourself - The Bo Sweater: Tuesdays 6.30-8.30pm November 24th, Dec 1st and 8th OR Thursdays 7.30-9.30pm January 7th, 14th, 21st.

This is likely to be extremely popular so a third course will be added if needed.

Bo is perfect in sweater knit, French Terry or sweatshirting for either a seasonal layer or cosy winter sweatshirt. View A has drawstring sides with a tie at the bottom (blue sweater knit of animal print photos). View B has plain sides and a drawstring hem (brown photo). View C has no drawstrings and is more of a classic sweatshirt.
The price for this course is £60 and you will need to purchase fabric. Your pattern is included in the price.
In order to access this course you must have attended our Introduction to dressmaking course and/or have made some simple clothing items.

Beginners course: Tuesdays 6.30-8.30pm January 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.
Cost including fabric and haberdashery pack is £100.

More details on each course will follow.

For more information or to book now, please message the page or phone and speak to Jo (01978 313444). A £30 deposit will secure your place on any of the mentioned courses.

03/09/2026

Edited - sorry now full!
*Memory Bear Course*

We will be running our very popular Memory Bear Course again on a Thursday evening.

Dates and Times: November 12th, 19th, 26th and December 3rd. 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The price of the course is £50 and we would need a £20 deposit to confirm your place.

Memory bears can be made from all sorts of fabric such as old clothes, school uniform, baby clothes or bridal wear. Often they are made from a loved ones clothes who are no longer with us. Whatever your reason, Alison will teach you all you need to know to make one of these yourself.

We will supply everything you need except fabric. We advise you choose 3 fabrics that co-ordinate well for this course. We would also suggest that you don't use those precious items of clothing during the course, but instead learn the techniques to make your own afterwards.

Check out the pictures in this post for previous student makes.

You must be able to sew to join this course.

To book, please message the page, pop in and see us, or phone and speak to Jo (01978 313444).

If interested, we would advise booking early as this is likely to sell out quickly.

26/08/2026

*Student Spotlight*

Let me introduce you to Lisa and Angela!

I wanted to show you just how much can be achieved in just a few months of sewing. They both joined our beginner class back in January. Angela hadn't sewn before, and Lisa had done a beginner course previously but hadn't picked it up since so wanted to do it again.

They have since done our 'Introduction to Dressmaking' course, Lisa has done our Sagebrush top course, and both have done our Chanterelle trousers course. They've both also done bag making and quilting.

Lisa has been spotted out and about by another of our students wearing her trousers and by her own admission has been living in them!
Angela has made a top and trousers that go together - so a whole outfit. They've both done a fantastic job on all of their makes and when people comment (which they have done) they can proudly say 'Thanks, I made it!'

It's such fun seeing the pride and joy in people when they make their own clothes. It's a feeling I know well and I love passing that on to others.

Angela said:
Three sewing courses - from never sewing before to making an outfit and learning loads of new skills and making new friends - brilliant!!. Thanks Jo

I'm so happy to be able to share these successes with you. Will you be our next student spotlight?

Please show them some love in the comments!

23/08/2026

Hi everyone! Just a quick note to let you know we are closed this coming week for a staff break. We will be back on Tuesday 1st September.

19/08/2026

We have this Sizzix Big Shot Plus machine for sale. It’s used, but in great condition including everything in the video £50. Pop us a message if interested.

18/08/2026

*Sewing with Jersey course*

Stretch fabrics are overlooked by many as they have a reputation of being "too difficult". I don't fully agree with this as I started my sewing journey using lots of simple stretch fabrics such as cotton jersey, french terry and sweatshirt fabric.

If there is one thing I really don't like buying from the shops now as a dressmaker, it's t-shirts. I am fed up of washing t-shirts once and them going out of shape! I make almost all of my t-shirts now. The stretch in the jersey makes them much easier to fit than woven fabrics and they last really well.

With a few tips and tricks, maybe it's time to get over the fear of sewing with jersey? It's achievable, so I am happy for anyone who has just completed my beginner sewing course or a similar course to sign up for this one.

Over 3 weekly sessions we will make a simple t-shirt. Everything you need, including fabric will be included in the price of £60.

Dates: Thursdays 3rd, 10th and 17th September. 7.30-9.30pm.
Please message to book. £30 deposit to secure your place.

10/08/2026

Summer sale! Take a look at our offers!

09/08/2026

Summer Sale!!

Starts tomorrow at 9am.

Fabric from as little as £3 per metre.

20% off our Fabric Godmother range.

Some fantastic bargains to be had.

Pop down and see what we have.

31/07/2026

*EDIT* Now fully booked!

NEXT BEGINNER COURSE NOW BOOKING!

Inspired by The Great British Sewing Bee?
Would you like to learn to sew?

Do you have a sewing machine but don't know how to use it? Or would you like to try out a new hobby or craft?

Our next Beginner sewing course will be on Tuesday evenings 6.30-8.30pm. Dates: September 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd.

Our beginner's sewing course is lots of fun, and we have run it multiple times over the last few years. We will take you from a total beginner and help you learn to use a sewing machine, enabling you to produce three or four projects over the course. We will make a drawstring bag, a cushion, and a fully lined zipped make-up pouch, and maybe another project depending on time.

You will be surprised at how much you can achieve in just a few weeks. Jo, our teacher, has years of sewing experience behind her and is passionate about sharing her love of sewing with others. She is also very calm, patient, and encouraging. We guarantee this course will be lots of fun and you will be proud of what you achieve.

We have sewing machines you can use if you don’t have one.

The price is £80 for 4 weeks. Options available to purchase a pack of fabric and haberdashery needed for the course at £20 and/or a tool kit for £5. A non-refundable deposit of £30 required on booking to secure a place. Please message the page for more details or to reserve a place, or telephone 01978 313444 and ask for Jo.