Overlocking Workshops and Palmer Pletch Fitting with Celia Banks

This week saw our first retreat with Celia Banks.

Many local people asked for sewing skills courses, so we found Celia and brought her to Bridlington only to be let down by all the local people who didnt put their money were they mouths were!  BIG MISTAKE! you missed some superb tuition.

Celia turned out to be a great tutor and as well as general sewing skills, her specialty is palmer pletch which is a method of fitting paper patterns to ensure the best fit possible. She teaches all over the UK and visits Denmark twice a year as well as the USA to keep her qualifications up to date.  She has also recently been teaching and working with the wardrobe department from Granada Studios Coronation Street.

Our first day was overlocker skills. followed by two days learning the techniques to fit a blouse.

So many people go out and purchase an overlocker and don't really get to grips with all the wonderful things these machines can do.

Celia guided us through threading, tension & various different stitches. We threaded our machines with 4 different colour threads to enable us to see clearly where each thread goes in each stitch.

We also had a wide variety of other fabrics to play with too

Later we made a simple cushion cover to practice what we had learnt.

Ceila at the machine demonstrating.

The Palmer Pletsh course

Paper patterns are all well and good, but generally only have a couple of alternation point marked on. this is fine if you have the 'perfect' body shape.  If not then when the garment is made it will not be the 'prefect' fit for you.

If you have low bust, high bust, fuller bust, bigger back, hollow back, larger shoulders etc and in fact any problem other than the perfect body - this course is a must for you.

After selecting the best size of pattern, the pattern pieces were carefully cut out and the areas around the armhole were re-enforced with scotch tape.

The pattern pieces were then pined on to the body

The patterns were readjusted

and refit

and then a similar process with the sleeve

 when the pattern was perfectly adjusted the garment can be cut and made up

  ( Thank you Val for being the model for the pictures )

Here is the back of another blouse showing the back dart adjustments

Celia at the machine demonstrating how to make the perfect dart

 Celia recommended this company as a great supplier for many different stiffenings, shoulder pads etc

This course is very personalised and all the ladies without exception went away with a blouse pattern which fit perfectly. Everyone had a great time and learnt a great deal and so much so that they have asked for Celia to come back again.  Watch this space!

Details of our workshops and retreats can be found here - http://www.quiltsandwich.co.uk/#!workshops/c24c2

Learn to Sew & make patterns actually fit

Have you ever fancied learning how to use a sewing machine and making your own clothes?

Have you made clothes that don't really fit very well?


Celia Banks from Sew Fundamental will be teaching here at The Royal Bridlington in November and December.

Celia is an internationally renowned tutor and has even recently been tutoring the wardrobe department at Grenada Studios Coronation Street. 

In November we have three days of workshops available. The first day will be 'getting the most out of your sewing machine', the second will be covering lots of different buttonholes and zip techniques and the last day will be making and fitting a skirt.

In December, there is a two day Palmer Pletsch Fitting course.  We shall be making a blouse and learning how to make it fit using the Palmer Pletsch techniques.

The workshops are just £50 each and this includes tuition, sample fabrics and threads - except the fabric/thread for the skirt & blouse, Morning coffee and homemade biscuits, lunch, afternoon tea and homemade cake.  Workshops will run from 10am to 4-5pm approx.

For those who want to stay over, the rate for 2 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and three workshops is just £240 per person sharing a twin room or £260 in a double room for single occupancy. 

One night dinner, bed and breakfast and two workshops is just £157 sharing a twin or £167 in a double room for single occupancy.

For those staying over there is of course unlimited evening sewing available.

Accommodation is at the Royal Hotel Bridlington which is a four star AA Guest Accommodation situated in the beautiful South Beach area of Bridlington, just over the road to the beach.

Celia is very flexible and so if you can already sew and just want to come along and enjoy free time to make your own project or if you want her expert advice on your own project then she is fine with that and you are most welcome to come along.

So why not come along?  Internet courses such as craftsy are all well and good, but nothing beat hands on experience with a real tutor.

More information and reservations - tel Fiona on 01262 672433

Dressmaking Courses & Machine Skills

 Celia Banks from Sew Fundamental will be teaching here at The Royal Bridlington in November & December.

Following requests for workshops and retreats suitable for all levels of ability, we have put together a superb programme for this winter.

We kick off with 'Getting to know/Mastering your machine'. This is a great one for beginners and anyone with a new machine.

Next we move on to essential techniques. Celia will be teaching buttonholes of all descriptions and then zips - again covering various different methods.

The final day is making and fitting a skirt.

Full details of these workshops / retreat can be found on the website http://www.quiltsandwich.co.uk

In December we shall be covering Fearless Overlocking.  If you have an overlocker and get frustrated with it or not quite sure what your overlocker can do or even if you are thinking about purchasing an overlocker ...this is for you.

The next two days are called Fit for Fashion and Celia will be teaching us how to make clothes that really fit using the Palmer Pletsch technique.

Again full details can be found on the website http://www.quiltsandwich.co.uk