MAIN DETAILS

This course runs over 5 weeks, with each weekly session lasting 1.5 hours, providing 7.5 hours of learning time. The sessions will run on Saturdays from 11.30am to 1pm, on 8th June, 15th June, (skipping 21st June) 29th June, 6th July, and 13th July. All Crafty Birds courses are held at Redborne Upper School, in Ampthill. Sewing machines and equipment will be provided, and all fabrics, threads and elastic will be provided by Crafty Birds, or you can choose to bring your own fabric.

There will also be an optional extra at the checkout to purchase the pattern (template) in addition to the course. This is so that your child can have their own pattern to keep and make more pyjama bottoms at home!

During the course, your child will learn:

To think logically-assembling fabrics to create curved seams to fit around the body
How to use a pattern (template) and understand the different markings and symbols
How to use a sewing machine to sew a straight stitch to construct a basic seam, professional double turn hems, a channel for the elasticated waistband, and hidden in seam pockets.
How to use the overlocker to finish the edge of fabric
The names of different tools and machines used in sewing
How to thread a sewing machine and solve common problems

click here to book:

Year 6-8 sewing course - Sew a pair of PJ bottoms -8th June to 13th July

from £85.00

AIMS AND OUTCOMES

By learning and applying the above sewing skills, your child will be able to make a comfortable and fully functioning pair of pyjama shorts or trousers with pockets, using soft and breathable cotton fabric of their choice.

This is a fantastic course to introduce children to making clothes, as pyjama bottoms are a nice and easy item of clothing to make. It will give them the opportunity to start to see how fabric must be cut in order to create the 3D shape required for clothes. Your child will use pattern pieces (templates) provided to cut the fabric, and learn what pattern markings and notches are, and why they need to be chalked onto fabric.

The course tutor, Anneka, will differentiate the learning during the course to ensure all children are appropriately challenged and able to make a good quality pair of pyjama bottoms. We will all aim to use the overlocker and sew curved seams by themselves, but Anneka can make adaptations and assist when necessary.

SIZING

The sizes of commercial patterns (templates used to make clothes) can occasionally be a little out of line with the sizes we are familiar with in shops. They provide hip measurements and heights to help us choose the best size to follow on the template, to make sure the clothes we make fit.

In the charts below, I have displayed the hip measurements, and given them a size - size A, size B, etc. There are two charts, one for shorter children and one for taller children. You will need to measure (in inches) the outer side of your child’s leg from hip to floor, to choose the correct chart to determine what size pattern (template) I need to provide for them. Please state the size when you book your child’s place.

YOUR DESIGN CHOICES

It is best to make pyjama bottoms using cotton fabric because it is breathable. Your child will use a woven, non stretch fabric because stretchy fabric is difficult to cut and sew and will be explored in later courses. All fabrics, threads and elastic will be provided by Crafty Birds, or you can choose to buy your own fabric.

Please browse the fabric options below for your child to choose their two favourite ones. Please state their two favourite fabrics when you book their place, and I will endeavour to provide their first choice. If this fabric runs out, I will provide their second choice fabric.

If your child wants to bring their own fabric, please ensure that it is sheeting or poplin fabric, and isn’t stretchy, fleecy, or satin/slippery. Some fabrics come in widths of 150cm, and some in widths of 115cms. Use the tables at the bottom of this page to determine how much fabric to buy, based on their size, and the width of the fabric.