Here, Penelope Hart shares her experience of Lifelong Learning’s latest sewing course. “In the past I made some simple cushions and curtains but I wasn’t confident in trying anything more complicated. I hoped that the course would help teach me the basics and also give me the confidence to have a go at some new projects. “I really liked the relaxed feel of the classes and the structure of the sessions – there were taught sections each week with an opportunity to practice what we’d been shown, we were also able to work on our own project with support from the tutor. What I also liked was seeing the projects other people were working on and hearing the advice from the tutor.
“There was so much useful information, hints and tips. The key things I learnt were about different fabrics and needles, how to fit a zip, make a button hole and put a button on using the sewing machine, how to cut out a pattern and put it all together, and not being scared of havinga go!
“I enjoyed making twenty five stockings for an advent calendar – lots of practice sewing curves! I also made a knitting needle case and have started making my first garment, which I would never have considered making in the past. I am now embarking on some projects for the house, which I had put off for several years as I wasn’t sure how to tackle them, and can’t wait to get started.”