April's Sewing Machine Workshop is Make and Donate a Charity Patchwork Quilt for Project Linus or another charitable organisation.

I make a lot of custom order patchwork quilts for my Molly Moo and Jessica too business and I often get asked to teach how to make patchwork quilts but I'm quite limited in what I can teach in a 3 hour workshop. That is why small baby quilts would work well. Project Linus UK is a volunteer organisation. They aim to provide a sense of security and comfort to sick and traumatised babies, children and teenagers through the provision of new home made patchwork quilts. Through a facebook group - Helping Hands - Stitching & Sewing for Good Causes, I also know of other organisations looking for baby quilts to be made, including hospital neo-natal intensive care units.

Who is this class for?

This class is not suitable for complete beginners. It is more suitable for improvers as you need to be able to sew in a straight line and have experience of sewing other projects. As we make something different each month many people attend the workshops regularly. I run these monthly 3 hour workshops every second Saturday of the month, with one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I've also created an event for the afternoon session.

What will we cover?

This session will cover how to:

1) Piece patchwork together to make a quilt top

2) Machine quilt the three layers of the quilt sandwich

3) Add binding to make the quilt look professional, crisp and finished.

I will bring all fabrics and batting to make the quilts. The session will cost £10 to cover these costs and the room hire. If you wanted to pay the usual £20 please bring the additional £10 along so that I can donate it to Project Linus or you can donate via PayPal online here http://projectlinusuk.org.uk/

My first career was teaching and then I set up my sewing based business Molly Moo and Jessica too. I have been running sewing machine workshops for over 2 years now. I limit the sessions to 6-8 people to ensure that I'm not spread too thinly.

What to bring

Your own sewing machine. Please ensure your sewing machine is fully operational before the workshop and that you have the instruction manual. Refunds are not available if you can't take part due to your sewing machine not working.

1/4 inch piecing foot

You can buy 1/4 piecing foot for most sewing machine models online. These feet can sew an accurate 1/4" (6.4mm) seam allowance and can be used for piecing quilt together or topstitching. If you plan on making more patchwork quilts in the future I really recommend that you buy one.

Mug - I'll bring tea, coffee, sugar and milk. Please bring own decaffeinated or herbal teas

Spare extension lead - if you have one as I only have 4 so an extra 1 or 2 is useful

Venue

After the arson attack at Strawson Hall, I've hired a lovely temporary venue: The 1st/2nd Horley Scout Hut by the Gas Works on the Gatwick Metro Centre on the Balcombe Road between the rail bridge and the Kings Head. You turn left at the metal fencing and it's right down the end next to the gas tower. Here is a link to a map:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Gatwick+Metro+...,+Balcombe+Rd,+Horley,+Surrey+RH6+9GA/@51.1762917,-0.1576213,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4875f07431084665:0x9dea81ba37fc2193

Cancellation Policy

• Please note that I am unable to refund fees if you cancel your booking.
• If you cancel no later than 7 days before the course I will transfer your payment onto another one of my sessions of your choice.
• If you cancel after 7 days before the course date, there will be no transfer and no alternative course offered.
• I reserve the right to cancel courses if circumstances dictate, including insufficient enrolment, tutor illness or weather related circumstances. In this instance, I will offer you a choice of a place on an alternative course, or provide a full refund.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Gemma Payne at paynegemma@googlemail.com