The aim of all our courses and classes are to bring people together to learn a new skill, to talk to each other and to meet new people with some similar interests. One of our main goals is to help reduce waste going to landfill which fits beautifully with rug making as this recycles old clothes, bedding, curtains…
What does Inside Outside do inside?
Talking Textiles
In the Talking Textiles projects, we plan, develop, host and organise classes, courses, workshops and groups. We also like to bring communities and groups together either at each other’s centres or on trips to events like the Quilting Show, Needles and Pins and more.
Course information-Hand v Machine
The project you choose to make and the skills of individuals in your group will determine whether or not your project can be done by hand or on the machine unless stated otherwise.
Talking Textiles Courses
All course durations vary and will depend on the funding you have. We are happy to host classes that are payable and can arrange this just as easily as a grant funded course. When we have established what you would like to host Inside Outside will work out a price. You can also build a course from a selection of the examples below.
- Taster session or demonstration
- Half day workshop / full day workshop
- Short course (Enrolment plus 5 weeks)
- 12-week course (Enrolment plus 11 weeks)
- Groups – by the term, no of sessions, or by the year can be worked into a grant application
Rug Making
You will learn about design, transfer, size, fabric and durability in these workshops. Using recycled textiles and fabric to learn a variety of rug making techniques that will include:
- Using a frame
- Clippy or Proddy
- Hooky
- Latch Hook
- Braided
- Twined
- Circular woven rug
Textile wreath to hang indoors
Using scrap fabrics, you will make and adorable lightweight indoor wreath. This could easily be themed: Christmas, Easter, girl, boy… the choice is yours.
Using a sewing machine
Using your own sewing machine / use one of ours
On this short course you will learn a range of core skills that will enable you to use your machine to be most effective:
- Setting up your sewing machine
- Tools of the trade
- Fabrics and feet
- Tension, stitches, needles and threads
Free Motion Embroidery
Using the sewing machines free motion embroidery function, you will choose to make either an amazing card, bookmark, small picture or a cushion cover to take home.
You will learn how to:
- Design a picture
- Choose your colour scheme
- Thread the machine
- Use the machine to ‘colour in’ your design
- Mount your picture
Hand embroidery
Using a variety of stitches, you will choose to make either a beautiful gift card, bookmark, small picture, a cushion cover or a sampler to take home.
You will learn how to:
- Sew a variety of stitches
- Design a picture
- Choose your colour scheme
- Create your chosen design
- Mount / finish your picture
Patchwork Projects
Choose from a selection of projects, learn a new technique and create a project to take home. Project options include a pin cushion, tote bag, cushion cover right up to a full quilt using a 12-block pattern. We are more than happy to design a project specific to your groups theme such as the Suffrage movement, Mother’s Day, Christmas
You will learn how to:
- Put colours together
- How to measure
- How to cut, place and stitch
- Use the machine / or hand sew
- How to finish or back your project
Table runner with Matching Napkins
On this short course you will learn how to design and make your own table runner and matching napkins using your own table measurements.
You will:
- Learn how to draft the pattern yourself
- Lay the pattern and cut out
- Assemble to the pieces
- Machine sew
- Mitre the corners
- Add embellishments
Door stops
Using fat quarters or stash scraps you will make a door stop to take home from a choice of bird, dog, fruit or shaped.
You will learn how to:
- Lay a pattern and cut the fabric
- Follow instructions to assemble
- Machine sew
- Stuff the project effectively
- Add embellishments
Soft toy / memory bear
In this workshop you will make a stuffed toy or bear from an unused item of clothing (or similar). You will learn how to:
- Lay a pattern and cut the fabric
- Piece together
- Machine sew
- Stuff the project evenly
Bags, bags and more bags
You will learn how to make a variety of different bags, beginning with a simple tote bag through to a shoulder bag with compartments and external furnishings and fastenings.
You will design and create a fully lined bag by:
- Drafting and cutting out the pattern pieces
- Learn how to insert a lining
- Learn how to insert furnishings and fastenings
- Learn how to top stitch
Celebratory bunting
You will design and learn how to stitch a length of celebratory bunting in a fabric of your choice either new of from repurposed textiles. Fabrics may include oil cloth, pvc, cotton ... If you are feeling adventurous you may decide to create a padded, stuffed, shaped or quilted effect.
You will:
- Design a font
- Transfer to fabric
- Cut out
- Machine sew / hand sew
- Fill and assemble your chosen design
I have really enjoyed spending time with like minded people on the courses Inside Outside run, it is a luxury to have time for myself to create things. Carolyn Waterworth
Horticultural Courses
Inside Outside can deliver seasonal, horticultural workshops that can be done inside and are suitable for all abilities and ages.
- Hanging baskets
- Bulb planting workshops
- Short courses about home composting
- Design and use of a garden
- Gardening for wildlife
- Community composting
- Beds & borders
- Community allotment gardening
- Keeping hens
Working with Nicola has brought great rewards and results. Professional, knowledgeable and has been a great project support. Thank you and keep up the good work. Malcolm Gray - Community Investment Advisor – Livin
Pattern Drafting
Course duration: 1-day
Pattern drafting - top
Do you have tops that pull or gape? Are the sleeves too long or short, too tight around your bingo wings, gaping across the shoulders, bust darts in the wrong place, … Yes, then this is the course for you.
Pattern drafting – skirt
Do your skirts hang a little too long or short? Do they pull at the pockets around your tummy? Do they gape at the base of your back or pull at the zip? … Yes, then this is the course for you.
Pattern drafting – trousers
Are your trousers tight around your thighs or bottom? Do trousers tend to be too long or too short? Do they dip or gape at the base of your back? Do you like the fit but not the flare? … Yes, then this course is for you.
- On each of the pattern drafting courses you will learn how to take your own accurate body measurements
- Transfer measurement on to paper
- Understand traditional pattern markings
- Cut out, assemble and amend in muslin
- Create a pattern sloper that will be used as the base for future patterns
Dress Making
Course duration: Short course
Upon completion of the pattern drafting courses you may like to put your new skills into practice. Choose from the following workshops. You will make a garment that fits perfectly.
Tops
On this course you will learn:
- How to lay a pattern correctly
- Fabric suitability
- How to use and insert darts
- How to mark your pattern
Skirts
On this course you will learn:
- How to lay a pattern correctly
- Fabric suitability
- Identify and use an appropriate seam method
- How to insert a zip
- How to incorporate a pocket
- How to line your skirt
Shift dress
On this course you will learn:
- How to lay a pattern correctly
- Fabric suitability
- Identify and use an appropriate seam method
- How to use darts to flatter
- How to design and insert a short sleeve if desired
- How to line your dress
Trousers
On this course you will learn:
- How to lay a pattern correctly
- Fabric suitability
- Identify and use an appropriate seam method
- How to use darts and pleats to flatter
- How to hem and or create a turn-up
Pyjamas / nightie
On this course you will learn how to:
- Lay a pattern correctly
- Fabric suitability
- Identify and use an appropriate seam method
- How to edge and hem decoratively
- How to use elastic in the waist band / How to insert a draw string waist band
- How to hem
Keep up the great work Nicola – great to see the wonderful developmental work, information and activities you both support and carry out, – you’re an asset to the area! – looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with you , and appreciate your support on our board. Best wishes from the 4 Together Partnership. Paula Nixon - 4 Together Partnership
Christmas Celebrations and gifts
Course duration: Workshop
Bauble wreath
In this seasonal workshop you will create a bauble wreath by:
- Creating a base
- Choosing from a selection of baubles
- Attaching the baubles to the base to create a stunning wreath
Christmas stocking
In this workshop you will learn how to create a stylish stocking. From a choice of designs, you will:
- lay a pattern
- cut the fabric
- join the patchwork pieces/assemble the front
- line the stocking
- assemble layers and stitch together using the sewing machine
Christmas Table runner and matching napkins
On this day long course, you will learn how to design and make your own table runner and napkins. Using your own table measurements, you will:
- Draft the patterns
- Practise sewing an acute corner, a right-angled corner and a mitred corner
- Lay the pattern and cut out
- Transfer markings, assemble the pieces and machine sew
- Add embellishments
Christmas Card
In this workshop you will enjoy learning to use the machines ‘free motion embroidery’ function to create a simple design that will adorn your card. This technique can be used to create a myriad of designs – all personalised to your own ideas and colours.
You will:
- Learn about fabrics, backing and threads
- How to use the free motion function on your machine
- You will design a picture to re-create
- You will assemble the card to hide all the backing of your design
Wreath making using fresh seasonal foliage
In this seasonal workshop you will create an amazing fresh foliage wreath.
You will learn about:
You will learn about:
- The different varieties of foliage
- The different kinds of base for different purposes
- How to attach a ribbon and assemble your wreath
Course Costs
Costs for Talking Textile courses or classroom-based gardening courses can be covered in a variety of ways:
- An organisation or group may have funds to cover course costs so would buy Inside Outside in
- Inside Outside can advertise a ‘course’ and people can pay to attend at point of booking
- We can work with you to secure grant funding
Costs for outside horticultural groups and activities are likely to be grant funded and we can help raise these funds by getting your group grant ready and helping make grant applications.