Machine Sewing for Beginners

Tutor: Beverley Landreth-Smith

Option 1:

Venue: Arlington Arts (Mary Hare, Snelsmore Common, Newbury RG14 3BQ)

Tuesdays, 7-9pm, 8 weeks

Session dates:

08/09/26, 15/09/26, 22/09/26, 29/09/26, 13/10/26, 20/10/26, 03/11/26 & 10/11/26

Option 2:

Venue: Thatcham Town Council, Brownsfield Road, Thatcham, RG18 3HF.

Thursdays, 7-9pm, 8 weeks

Session dates:

05/11/26, 12/11/26, 19/11/26, 26/11/26, 03/12/26, 10/12/26, 17/12/26 & 21/01/27

Option 3: Thursdays, 7-9pm, 8 weeks

Venue: Thatcham Town Council, Brownsfield Road, Thatcham, RG18 3HF.

Session dates:

15/04/27, 22/04/27, 29/04/27, 06/05/27, 13/05/27, 20/05/27, 27/05/27 & 10/06/27

Option 4:

Venue: Arlington Arts (Mary Hare, Snelsmore Common, Newbury RG14 3BQ)

Tuesdays, 7-9pm, 8 weeks

Session dates:

13/04/27, 20/04/27, 27/04/27, 04/05/27, 11/05/27, 18/05/27, 08/06/27 & 15/06/27

Maximum participants: 10

Join experienced sewing tutor Beverley Landreth-Smith for this welcoming 8-week beginners’ machine sewing course, designed to help you build confidence and develop essential sewing skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

Perfect for complete beginners, this practical course will introduce you to the fundamentals of using a sewing machine, including basic stitching techniques, fabric handling, measuring, cutting, and finishing methods. As your skills develop, you’ll learn techniques that can be applied to a wide range of sewing projects, from crafts and home furnishings to garment making.

Working at your own pace with expert guidance from Bev, you’ll gain the confidence to use your sewing machine safely and effectively while creating your own projects. Learners will need to bring their own sewing machine to each session and source a pattern suitable for their chosen project.

By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a solid foundation in machine sewing, practical skills you can continue to build on, and the confidence to tackle future sewing projects independently.

Fees: £120.00

Pay in 3 interest-free payments with PayPal. Learn More.

Skills covered
  • Understanding the parts of a sewing machine and how to set it up safely.
  • Threading the machine, winding and inserting a bobbin, and adjusting basic settings.
  • Mastering essential sewing techniques, including straight stitching, seam allowances, backstitching and turning corners.
  • Learning how to accurately measure, mark and cut fabric.
  • Reading and following a simple sewing pattern and understanding common pattern markings.
  • Developing confidence in using a sewing machine to construct a finished project.
  • Building practical sewing skills that provide a foundation for more advanced dressmaking and textile projects.
  • Learners will be required to bring their own sewing machine to each lesson and a pattern to work from.

Thatcham Town Council

  • The council chambers are located on Brownsfield Road, behind Thatcham Medical Centre. There are several pay and display car parks, one to your left as you enter Brownsfield Road and one just behind Thatcham Town Council, which is currently £1 for an evening charge. There are some free spaces available in the council chambers car park, however these are limited and on a first come, first served basis.

Arlington Arts Centre

  • Parking is free on site; please ensure you use the entrance on Arlington Lane. There is a car park at the bottom of the lane upon entrance to your left and a smaller car park outside of Arlington Arts Centre.  There are disabled bays outside the venue, if the barrier is down, please use the speaker to the right of the barrier to contact the staff who will open the barrier for you.
  • All participants must be over 19 years old, we can sometimes accept minors if accompanied by an adult, please contact us at enquiries@creative-communities.org.uk if you would like to discuss bringing a young person with you.

This course is part funded by West Berkshire Council and therefore, the following concessions apply.

  • If you are aged over 60 and living within the West Berkshire catchment area, you are eligible for a 30% reduction of course fees.
  • If you are in receipt of a means tested benefit at the time of enrolment, you are eligible for a 50% reduction in course fees. Learners will be required to submit evidence of their benefit at the time of enrolment, for the reduction to be applied. Evidence includes only official letters/ documentation, dated within 3 months of enrolment.
  • If you are unable to attend the course, we require a minimum of 10 working days’ notice before the start of the course in order to receive a refund. Admin fees may apply. You will also have the opportunity to transfer your fees to another course.
  • If Creative Communities are forced to cancel the course due to low enrolment numbers, you will be notified immediately and issued with a full refund, or the option to transfer your course fees to another course.

Please see our Fee and Refund Policy for more information.

Book your preferred start date below

*Please note, once this course has received sufficient bookings to run, you will be contacted by a member of the Creative Communities team to complete an enrolment form with West Berkshire Council.

*Please note, the numbers above monitor how many spaces have already been booked over how many spaces are available

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