Art and craft classes and workshops in Essex.
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September 2021
Practical Sewing Skills: Trousers (5-week course)
Starting Your Sewing Bee Journey With Karen Odinga A five-week course, meeting each Wednesday evening from 15th September to 13th October. £35 for the full course paid in advance, or £7.50 per week (total £37.50). Get 10% off this course if you also attend "Reconnect With Your Sewing Machine & Make a Tie Top Bag" in July! If you are a beginner to sewing, you don’t have to be stuck making endless tote bags to learn the basics. Sew up something that you can really use again and again like this smart and comfortable pair of trousers with flattering side…
Find out more »October 2021
Practical Sewing Skills: Sewing with Knits (4-week course)
With Karen Odinga A four-week course, meeting each Wednesday evening from 20th October to 10th November. £28 for the full course paid in advance, or £7.50 per week (total £30). Learn to work with stretch knit fabrics to create a tunic or dress. With the basic T-shirt style pattern provided, you will be in control since you will have the opportunity to adjust the length for either a tunic or dress as well as creating a round or v-neck. All styles have sleeves and there are options for a ruffle and adding additional colour bands. Pattern provided is multi-sized so…
Find out more »November 2021
Practical Sewing Skills: The Great Cover-Up (2-week course)
With Karen Odinga A two-week course, meeting on Wednesday evenings 17th and 24th November. £15 for the full course, or £7.50 per week. A loose, drapey, kimono style jacket for any occasion Create an easy to sew classic cover up with drop kimono-style sleeves with the multi sized pattern provided. An easy throw-on style or chic finish to an outfit. Materials to bring: Sewing machine with leads accessories etc. Please be familiar with the basic operations of your particular model. Fabric (see below for size requirements) All purpose thread to match your fabric Dressmaking shears Dressmaking pins Tape measure Your…
Find out more »December 2021
Practical Sewing Skills: UFO (Un-Finished Objects) & Festive Fripperies
With Karen Odinga Have a few loose ends from our previous sewing sessions? Bring along any unfinished business and get it completed in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Plus, there will be a few quick, little sewing projects available to get you in the holiday spirit. Even if you just want to use the time to catch up on a past project, patterns for the little festive projects will be available to all. Maybe I’ll remember to bring some mince pies as well. Requirements for catch up session: Machine with accessories, leads and manual Your project (if putting on the…
Find out more »January 2022
Practical Sewing Skills: Zip It Up (3-week course)
With Karen Odinga. A three-week course, meeting each Wednesday evening from 12th to 26th January. £21 for the full course paid in advance, or £7.50 per week (total £22.50). A smart A-line skirt is always a great wardrobe staple. Learn to sew this fitted style of skirt with a back zipper and back slit. This style has a plain waist (no separate waistband). Pattern will be provided at cost of £3 that you can keep and reuse forever. Please e-mail kodinga23@gmail.com me prior to the first session as to what size you will require. Determine your size by your hip…
Find out more »February 2022
Practical Sewing Skills: Unlined Wrap Jacket (5-week course)
With Karen Odinga. A five-week course, meeting on Wednesday evenings: 9th, 16th and 23rd February, 2nd and 9th March. Please note there will be an additional charge of £3 for the pattern, to be paid to the tutor at the first session. Sew an unlined, lightweight wrap jacket for spring either long or mid- length. A throw on jackets that keeps the chill off on an early spring or autumn day. This sew along is suitable for those confident beginners who have sewn a simple item (like a bag or other simple pattern) and are familiar with their sewing machine’s…
Find out more »March 2022
Practical Sewing Skills: Children’s Capsule Wardrobe
With Karen Odinga. Dates TBC but will be Monday evenings - please register your interest below. Making a series of children's clothes, one item at a time, with various options and learning the techniques that make clothes that fit your kids well. Age 1- 6. Requirements: Sewing machine and accessories Whilst this class is aimed at beginners, you must be able to sew a little and be able to thread your machine.
Find out more »Practical Sewing Skills: Tea Party Wrap Dress (5-week course)
With Karen Odinga. A five-week course, meeting on Wednesday evenings: 16th and 23rd and 30th March, 6th and 13th April. Please note there will be an additional charge of £3 for the pattern, to be paid to the tutor at the first session. No wardrobe would be complete with a lovely dress which you can wear casually or style it up. This wrap style has semi fitted bodice, flared skirt and collar. The hem falls below mid knee and ¾ length sleeves (which can be altered as desired) Session dates (5) March 16,23,30 April 6, 13 This session is suitable…
Find out more »April 2022
Practical Sewing Skills: Cross Over Apron (2-week course)
With Karen Odinga A two-week course, meeting Wednesday evenings 27th April and 4th May. Be the hostess with the most-ness with this cross over apron. This apron is super easy to sew and learn how to make your own bias binding either to tone or contrast with the main colour of your choosing. You can wear as a traditional working apron to keep your clothes neat & tidy or use it as a fashion layer pinafore style. Endless options! Multi size pattern with long or short options provided for a teeny tiny cost of £3. The short version is shown…
Find out more »May 2022
Practical Sewing Skills: Dressing Gown (3-week course)
With Karen Odinga. A three-week course, meeting on Wednesday evenings: 11th, 18th and 25th May. Classic and Comfortable Dressing Gown Your choice of fabric creates the look and feel of this classic kimono style dressing gown. Whether it be cuddly and comfy or sheer and floaty, this is a unisex style so great for everyone however they want to wrap up! We will be sewing this project at a relaxed pace over 4 sessions. If you require any sizes over the X-Large, please contact me a week before the start of the session so I will have your pattern ready…
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Information for Students
Some parking is available to the rear of the Centre. If you have equipment to bring in, you can access the building directly into the main hall through the doors in the car park. If the doors aren’t open, please inform the office you have arrived and the doors will be opened for you.
If you think you may have access difficulties please let us know in advance, as we have accessible facilities available. Accessible toilets are available on the ground floor. Wheelchair access is through the door on the front of the Centre.
Free tea & coffee will be provided. Don’t forget to bring your lunch or you can choose to visit one of the many cafes and takeaways in town.
Please wear suitable clothing, and if you’re bringing any electrical equipment please ensure that it is in good working order with a solid plug and undamaged wiring – check it before you come!
Payment
Class fees should be paid in advance by card (which can be done over the phone- 01376 323280).
We will also accept cheques, which will be cashed two weeks before the date of the class once we are sure the class will run, and should be made payable to Braintree & Bocking Community Association.
There may be an additional cost for appropriate materials, which if applicable, should be paid to the tutor on the day of the class – please check the class details.
Cancellation policy
Fees are non-refundable from two weeks before the class unless we can sell the space to another student (subject to a minimum of six students booked). Fees may be transferable at our discretion.
Please understand that the Centre cannot afford to run classes at a loss, since we are a charity. As such, classes may be cancelled if we are unable to achieve a minimum number of students. If this is the case, you will be informed two weeks before the date of the class and your fee will be refunded.