Upcoming Sewing Workshops at our studio in Bristol…
Ready to level up your handmade wardrobe? In this Made My Wardrobe sewing workshop, you’ll learn how to sew two essential garment details: pockets and plackets. We’ll break them down step by step, demystifying the techniques so they feel approachable, not intimidating. Expect clear guidance, practical tips, and plenty of hands-on practice, so you leave with skills you’ll actually use again and again.
For this workshop we have teamed up with Tauko magazine, so that as will as all the teaching you will get on the day, you will also take home the latest issue of Tauko magazine which includes 11 sewing patterns. Issue No.18 of Tauko celebrates pockets as a statement of style, function, and freedom.
What will be included:
How to sew a welt pocket, ideal for a sleek smart finish on tailored garments
How to sew a patch pocket with neat and artistic topstitching, ideal for jeans and jackets
How to sew a curved pocket with binding, ideal for skirts and trousers
How to sew a placket which is used on cuff and collar openings.
A copy of Tauko magazine, Issue No.18
The pocket samples you make during the workshop can either be added to preexisting garments to make them more practical or kept as samples for you to refer back to.
All the fabric and sewing equipment you will need on that day will also be provided.
When: Saturday 11th April 2026, 10am till 4pm
Where: Made My Wardrobe Studio, 27 Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SA
Across four evening sessions this May, we invite you into a warm, creative space to honour the memory of someone significant in your life who has died. There is a deep and powerful history of quilts being used in community to process grief, commemorate loved ones, and celebrate lives. This workshop series offers dedicated time to mark your loss through creativity and textiles, working with your hands when words may feel hard.
You are encouraged to bring meaningful fabrics that connect you to your person: clothing, pillowcases, or pieces in their favourite colour, print, or texture. Together, we will cut, stitch and piece, creating something that holds memory, love and legacy. People experiencing grief may join this workshop for many reasons: a sense of connection, the rhythm of stitching, the comfort of wrapping ourselves in something that feels like them, the desire to create something positive from loss. This is a collective, skill-sharing space, a held and supportive environment to share stories (if you wish), to sit in quiet companionship, and to continue an ancient tradition of making as a way through grief.
No prior sewing experience is needed, only a willingness to gather, remember, and create.
A gentle reminder this is a space in which we welcome people talking about grief, however it is not a bereavement counselling workshop. We can signpost additional support resources if needed.
When: Tuesday Evenings in May - 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th - from 6 till 8.45pm
Where: Made My Wardrobe Studio, 27 Portland Square, Bristol, BS28SA
Who: Lydia Higginson, who runs Made My Wardrobe and has many years experience creating her own quilts in response to grief, will be facilitating with Ruth Sidgwick, former arts facilitator and now grief practitioner and funeral celebrant who works to broaden our conversations about death and loss.
What’s included?
Free rein on our collection of over 40 fabrics to use in addition to any fabrics you may want to bring
Demonstrations of a range of patchwork and quilting techniques
A clear induction to using our range of PFAFF sewing machines
Thread, haberdashery and all the sewing equipment you will need
1-1 help and advice on your quilting projects throughout the sessions
Intimate class size with lots of space for discussion and creativity
Tea, coffee & treats but we recommend you eat some dinner before you come!
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
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
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