Soft Furnishings Course
Description
Soft Furnishings Course
3 modules – each module is 1 week.
Cost - £550 per week/stage – all materials included in the cost
Monday to Friday 10am – 4.30pm – Dates are on our timetable page.
You can just take the module that interests you the most or take all 3 to learn all the skills within these soft furnishings course.
This course is aimed at those wanting to take on soft furnishing’s projects, either professionally or for your own home.
You will be taught by 3 different tutors.
Jennifer Rogers, founder of Curtain Maker Cornwall.
Polly Waite, founder of Polliander Studios
Sarah Bayley, a textile artist with decades of knowledge, experience and creativity
Module 1
Day 1 - Sarah will help you get to grips with using a sewing machine. Learning the basics and then progressing on to making a ruffles and box pleats.
Day 2 – Jennifer will guide you through making a classic Roman blind.
Measure a window correctly
Hand sewn to create the perfect invisible stitching
Stab stitch (Joining all of your layers of fabric together with 1 hand stitch)
Interline with all the required hand stitches.
Create faux hems to add a trim
Create lining with integrated rod pockets
Learn how to install your blind onto a fully compliant, 1.1 breakaway chain
Day 3 – Jannifer will guide you through making a lined curtain with heading tape.
Measure and cut fabric correctly
Create hems and headings
Join fabrics
Add heading tape
Discuss fullness guides
Create a neat cord tidy
Day 4 – Polly will guide you through making a box cushion
Measure and cut fabric accurately
How to make a zip panel.
How to get neat, perfect corners.
What to do when things go wrong, problem solving techniques
Day 5 – Polly will guide you through turning your box cushion into a French style
mattress cushion.
Learning about foam and foam substitutes and how to cut to size.
Making buttons
Slip stitching the cushion shut for an invisible seam.
How to hand stitch edges for your French mattress style
Attaching your buttons to complete the look.
Module 2
Day 1 – Sarah will help you get to get more familiar and comfortable with using a sewing machine. We will then progress on to machine free embroidery and applique. The aim will be to create a panel that can be used for your cushion making at the end of the week.
Day 2 – Jennifer will help you make lined pinch pleat curtains
Create hems and headings
Join fabrics
Create mitred corners and add weights
Create hand finished headings (Double and triple pleats)
Calculate pleat placement
Day 3 – Jennifer will teach you how to make professional fabric tie back. Looking at different linings, trims and piping to finish.
Day 4 – Polly will teach you how to make the perfect scatter cushion. Using your decorative panel made at the start of the week, you will make a piped and zipped cushion.
Day 5 – Polly will teach you how to make a professional standard bolster cushion.
Measure and cut fabric correctly
Insert a concealed zip
Attach piping
Join piping
Module 3
Day 1 – Sarah will help you get more familiar with trouble shooting your sewing machine. You will then progress on to quilting and patchwork techniques.
Day 2 – Jennifer will teach you how to make a hard padded pelmet.
Measure and cut fabric correctly
Join fabrics and create hems and headings
Look at shaped and straight edged pelmets.
Understand how to install a pelmet correctly
Day 3 – Jennifer will teach you how to pattern match for blinds and curtains. Tips and tricks for achieving the perfect pattern match. Finishing with a Q&A on all things curtains and blinds from a professional.
Day 4 – Advanced cushion making. Learn how to make a T shaped or angled window seat box cushion.
Day 5 – Pattern matched cushions. Learn how to make a perfectly pattern match for box cushions. Finishing with further guidance and practice for zip panels.
Maximum of 5 students in class
To book, please ring 07403 959819
or email polly@polliander.com
