Upcoming Sewing Workshops at our studio in Bristol…
Just like the rest of the sewing community, we have fallen in love with the quilted jacket trend. They are perfect for staying cosy on chilly evenings and have so much potential for really interesting design details, from the way you quilt the fabric to the pockets you choose to add. They’re one of those garments that are incredibly satisfying to make and feel like a comforting hug when you wear them. This is the last Quilted Jacket Masterclass we will run before the summer so we do hope you can join us.
What will be included:
A quilted jacket or gilet sewing pattern
Two days of teaching and demonstrations from the MMW team
Fabric for all three layers of the garment you want to make
A full guide to taking your measurements & finding your size
A range of sewing techniques from quilting to pockets, binding to buttons.
One-on-one fitting advice
When: Saturday 2nd - Sunday 3rd May 2026, 10am-4pm
Where: Made My Wardrobe Studio, 27 Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SA
Welcome to our four day Quilt Retreat! As well as three full days sewing in the studio we will also go on a group trip to visit the quilt collection at the American Museum in Bath. At the museum we will explore there permanent collection of historical quilts along with an additional exhibition, Kath & Kin: Quilts of Gee’s Bend. The visit will be complimented by a private talk from one of the quilt curators at the museum. Once we have fully submerged ourselves in the quilts we will come back to the studio the following day and continue to work on our own designs inspired by what we have seen.
During the sewing days you will take a deep dive into a range of quilting techniques. The joy of having consecutive days to focus on your quilts is that you can work your way through the whole process in that time. From the initial designing to the final binding, we will take you through the entire process with clear demonstrations. It might be that you want to make the quilt for yourself, or as a family heirloom to be passed on; either way, we love it when a quilt tells a story!
What will be included:
Three days of teaching at the studio with the Made My Wardrobe team
One day visiting the American Museum in Bath with a tour of the quilt collection and Kath & Kin: Quilts of Gee’s Bend exhibition, plus access to the rest of the museum, cafe and gardens. This will happen on the Tuesday.
Delving into our epic patchwork fabric collection, you can pick out a whole array of fabrics to make your quilts. We will also supply the batting for the centre, the backing fabric and the binding for the edge
A library of patchwork and quilt books will also be provided to use as references and get your design ideas flowing
Together we will explore patchwork, appliqué, hand quilting and many more sewing techniques
A full demonstation of machine quilting, backing and binding techniques will be given during the class and extra guidence on an individual basis through out each session
A full induction on how to use our top-of-the-line PFAFF sewing machines
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be kept flowing throughout the retreat
When: Monday 15th, Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th June 2025 - 10am till 3.30pm - with a one hour break for lunch
Where: Made My Wardrobe Studio, 27 Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SA & The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath, BA2 7BD on Wednesday
Over the last few years the team at MMW has fallen in love with making banners. Sometimes it is to support political movements and trade unions other times it’s to make something beautiful to hang in our homes. The art form feels very alive, responsive and creative to us, which is why this is one of our favourite workshops to teach.
What will be included:
Two days of teaching from the MMW Team
Designing intuitively, responding to fabrics and shapes
Patchwork, lettering, appliqué, embroidery and other banner sewing techniques
Backing, edging and hanging techniques
Introduction to using our range of PFAFF sewing machines
Delving into our epic fabric stash you can pick out a whole array of fabrics to make your banners.
If you don’t finish your banner in one weekend that’s no problem, we all know these processes take time. You can always join our Open Studio sessions on a Wednesday evening to finish off.
When: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th June 2026, 10am till 4pm
Where: Made My Wardrobe Studio, 27 Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SA
We are delighted to be running our Screen Print & Sew Retreat this year. Across three days, learn the art of screen printing with the wonderfully talented Jessie De Salis. Then use the fabric you have screen printed to sew up a fully custom garment in the Made My Wardrobe studio.
On Wednesday we will begin by doing a full day of screen printing under the expert guidance of Jessie in her screen printing studio. Nestled away in a barn on her family farm in Yarlington, Somerset (transport info below), Jessie will give you a full introduction to the screen printing process and teach you all the skills you need to print your own fabric. There will be the option to use Jessie’s existing motifs and designs - or you can create your own shapes entirely.
On Thursday and Friday we will be based at the Made My Wardrobe sewing studio in Bristol. Lydia and the Made My Wardrobe team will show you how to turn your fabric into a well-fitted garment. You will be given an epic choice of sewing patterns, shown how to find your size and lay out the pattern pieces on your printed fabric, and then taught a full range of sewing techniques.
When: Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th July 2026, 10.30am till 5pm on Saturday, 10.30 till 4pm Sunday & Monday
Where:
Wednesday - Jessie De Salis’ Studio, Yarlington House, Yarlington, Somerset, BA9 8DY (If you are coming by public transport we can pick you up from Castle Cary Train station, or we may be able to arrange lift shares from Bristol with other participants)
Thursday & Friday - Made My Wardrobe Studio, 27 Portland Square Bristol, BS2 8SA
Whats included?
Three days of teaching from Jessie, Lydia and the Made My Wardrobe team
A full introduction to screen printing using a range of tools and equipment
Fabric and haberdashery to make your garment, plus extra fabric to practice screen printing on.
Introduction to using our PFAFF passport and PFAFF coverlock sewing machines
One-on-one fitting advice
Intimate class size with lots of space for discussion and creativity
We cannot guarantee the private outdoor pool next to Jessie’s barn will be open (as it depends on the weather), but if it is, you are welcome to go for a dip at the end of the day!
Meet Your Teachers:
The screen printing will be taught by Bristol born and bred textile designer and screen printer Jessie De Salis. Jessie studied in Falmouth as well as Manchester School of Art before returning to her home town and setting up a screen printing business. She set up (quite a DIY) studio in an old barn that she rents from her grandparents in Somerset with a 10 meter long print table where she prints fabrics, cushions, curtains and lampshades. It is such a lovely thing to be able to hand print fabrics - each piece is completely unique and tells its own story.
The sewing section of this retreat will be taught by Lydia Higginson with assistance from the Made My Wardrobe team. Lydia started MMW in 2016 - since then she has taught over 1000 people how to make their own clothes in workshops across the UK. When she’s not facilitating workshops, she’s a costume maker for theatre and live performance. She loves demystifying the tricky bits of sewing and getting folks flying on well-oiled sewing machines. She’s a big believer that everyone is creative, folks just need the time and space to let it out.
Let us help you get set up on a new sewing machine…
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Let us know what you want to sew and what sewing features you are most interested in, so that we can matchmake you with the perfect sewing machine.
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Once you have bought your sewing machine we offer a free introductory session either online or at our studio in Bristol to get you all set up.
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All our machines come with a warranty but beyond that we are happy to give help and advice about how to keep your machine running smoothly. Our Service Your Own Sewing Machine video is a great place to start.
OUr Latest Fabrics
We have sourced a beautiful new selection of cottons from Fableism - a family owned fabric suppliers we have loved using in the studio for many years…
Bright and bold 100% cotton collection from Fableism. The plaids are a large scale making them perfect for quilt backs and so much more.
Fabric by Fableism | 100% Cotton | 135gsm | 54/55in (139cm) Wide | Made In India
Half metre £12
Full metre £24
Units sold by the half metre (i.e., if you would like 1 metre please put 2 in the quantity box)
Beautiful yarn dyed stripes from Fableism Supply Co inspired by the Monarch Groves of the California Coast.
Fabric by Fableism | 100% Cotton | 135gsm | 45in (110cm) Wide | Made In India
Half metre £9
Full metre £18
Units sold by the half metre (i.e., if you would like 1 metre please put 2 in the quantity box)
Two-colour cotton stripes from a collection featuring an array of dazzling colours with an earthy palette. These 3/8th inch stripes are the perfect quilt binding and they also blend together beautifully for a quilt top - or even on their own. Stripe runs along the selvedge of the fabric.
Fabric by Fableism | 100% Cotton | 140gsm | 44/45in (110cm) Wide | Made In India
Half metre £9.50
Full metre £19
Units sold by the half metre (i.e., if you would like 1 metre please put 2 in the quantity box)
if you want to make your own clothes,you are in the right place. We sell fabric, Sewing patterns, kits & sewing machines
Check out our latest Sewing Updates & blogs here…
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