WHAT'S ON OFFER
INTRODUCTION TO MACHINE SEWING
Our classes are a great starting block for aspiring sewers - whether you just want to master some basic sewing techniques or you’re keen to begin the journey towards making your own clothes. If you’ve never used a sewing machine before or are feeling a bit rusty, sign up for a single session or a course of six and learn all the skills necessary to confidently embark on your own machine sewn projects.
Choose either our Single 3 Hour Classes and make a simple sewn project. No need to bring anything, use Ray Stitch fabric and take away something that’s yours to keep and admire forever! Or enrol on our 6 Week Course which offers more intensive teaching, running for three hours each week they cover a wide range of valuable sewing skills to set you up for more advanced classes.
Making soft furnishings is a great way to better your sewing machine skills and improve your confidence. We have recently launched a new class teaching how to make a custom Box Cushion Cover (for seating) and we are developing another for how to make curtains. Watch this space!
MAKING CLOTHES
If you already know your way around a sewing machine and are keen to start making your own clothes then look no further! We offer courses and one day workshops where you can learn all the skills you will need.
Our Introduction to Dressmaking 6 Week Course is an essential starting block and highly popular – every year we guide and teach over three hundred fledgling sewers until they are fully equipped with skills and confidence to create their own garments independently.
Our Introduction to Sewing With Stretch 4 Week Course is an intensive programme aimed at further extending your material skills. If you have already sewn with woven fabric and would like to expand your repertoire then this course will teach you the special techniques required for successful stretch garments. This course has also been designed to invite male students who want to start making mens clothing.
Our One Day Workshops are for anybody who is a confident machine sewer looking to develop their garment construction skills. We offer classes from beginner to advanced level to improve your confidence with sewing patterns and help build upon your techniques. Speak to our staff if you need help choosing an appropriate level or even better, come into the shop and be inspired by the garments we have made-up and the irresistible choice of fabrics!
The Short Courses follow on from our introduction courses and intermediate workshops. You will learn to make more complex garments that take a little longer to complete such as shirts, jeans & coats. During the weekly sessions we teach more advanced techniques and processes to ensure you gain the most professional finish.
Once you have mastered the basics of garment construction and know how to use a sewing pattern then you might want to achieve a better fit for your garments. For this we offer Introductory to Advanced level classes to teach you about creating blocks and drafting patterns. There is the option for you to choose to learn traditional methods or use the more modern Telestia Method which uses a unique template that eliminates the need for a lot of maths and difficult calculations.
We also offer our popular Recreate The Pattern For Your Favourite Garment class which compliments all of our Pattern Cutting classes. You will ‘trace off’ your favourite garment without opening any seams or deconstructing it in any way. You will learn how to create an exact copy of the pattern pieces so you can make it over and over again.
HAND STITCHING, WEAVING & QUILT MAKING
We hold a plethora of creative workshops that explore new and traditional craft processes including hand stitching, blackwork, darning, sashiko, boro, shibori, hand quilting, patchwork and hand weaving. So why not come and enjoy a slower pace, meet like minded people and learn a new skill in our beautiful, light and well equipped workshop. We delight in serving wine and other refreshments to help you wind down and enjoy your evening.
Celia Pym
Richard McVetis
Fran Burden
Romor
Abigail Booth of Forest + Found
Jane Brocket
Peas and Needles
PRIVATE SEWING CLASSES
If you have a specific project which needs attention and unique advice, or perhaps you want to take one of our scheduled classes but at a time that suits you better then why not book a private lesson with one of our experienced sewing teachers. You can utilise our workshop along with all it’s tools, equipment and various notions plus have a wealth of knowledge by your side every step of the way! The cost is £55 p/h for a minimum of 2 hours. Just email school@raystitch.co.uk to schedule a session.
SEWING MACHINE HIRE
Had to leave your sewing machine behind? Or perhaps you just need more space to complete your sewing project properly?! Did you know you can rent one of our sewing machines and utilise our workshop for just £15/h. Call us on 020 7704 1060
CLASS LEVELS AND ABILITIES
COMPLETE BEGINNER
Absolutely no experience required, come as you are! Also open for students wanting to dust off old skills and refresh your memory.
BEGINNER PLUS
You know how to thread up a sewing machine and sew in a straight line, perhaps you hem skirts and trousers at home or make the odd fancy dress costume, but that’s it.
NEW TO MAKING CLOTHES
For confident machine sewers who want to start making clothes. The best way to start is by enrolling on our Introduction to Dressmaking or Sewing with Stretch courses but we also offer one days workshops with simpler garment options without zip or button fastenings.
INTERMEDIATE
You’ve mastered tops & dresses and you know how to read commercial sewing patterns. In our intermediate level classes you will learn additional sewing techniques like attaching linings, making trousers, bags or outerwear. You could also discover how to use an overlocker... This is also the introductory level for Pattern Cutting.
ADVANCED
There are a few things that even the most accomplished sewist might fear! We believe those might be overlockers, creating your own intricate patterns to fit, making a traditional shirt or the perfect pair of 5 pocket jeans.
CANCELLATIONS
Unfortunately our classes are non refundable
We’re passionate about creating the perfect learning atmosphere here at Ray Stitch and one thing that we hold in high regard is our small class sizes. For sewing and pattern cutting we have a maximum of 6 students and for hand stitching there is a maximum of 10.
It is due to our small class sizes it is very difficult to transfer your booking to a different date. If you cannot attend a class and are able to notify us at least two weeks before the class starts, it may be possible to fit you in on another date but this is not guaranteed. Please give us as much notice as possible to increase your chances.
Our classes are subject to a minimum of 3 bookings. In the event that we are forced to cancel a class, we will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible and offer either a full refund or swap your booking to another suitable class/date.