About the quilt-making for beginners course

If you've ever dreamed of making heirlooms for your family and friends to treasure, this is the course for you.  You'll learn everything you need to know to make modern patchwork quilts with quilter and quilt pattern designer Kathleen Anderson of Cowden Quilt School.

With Kathleen’s tuition and guidance, you’ll learn new skills, grow in creative confidence and meet like-minded people, all in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Dates: Saturdays 1 February, 15 February, 1 March and 22 March 2025
Timings: 10:00 - 15:00 each day
Location: Kathleen’s home-studio in Hungarton, East Leicestershire LE7 9JX (close to Houghton, Scraptoft, Syston, Thurmaston and Tilton)

What you’ll learn

You’ll learn every stage of making a modern patchwork quilt, from start to finish, using a pattern designed by Kathleen especially for beginners. You’ll learn how to:

• Choose, prepare and cut fabric for patchwork

• Sew patchwork pieces together to create ‘blocks’

• Combine the three layers of a quilt ready for quilting

• Add quilting stitches to hold the layers of a quilt together

• Make and attach binding to complete a quilt.

You’ll put your new skills into practice to create a modern patchwork quilt measuring about 42”x42”:  the perfect size to use as a cot quilt, playmat, small throw or picnic blanket.

Quilt-making for beginners is for you if:

• You’re an absolute beginner!

• You’re an experienced sewist trying patchwork and quilting for the first time

• You already enjoy knitting, crochet and/or other needle-based crafts

• You plan to spend more time being creative and using your hands

• You’re looking for ways to practise mindfulness and feel a sense of achievement

• You enjoy showing your love for family and friends with handcrafted gifts

• You hope to meet new people and belong to a local community of creatives.

 
What’s included:

• Friendly, patient tuition through each step of the quilt-making process, with an experienced quilting teacher

• A cosy, home-from-home environment to relax and learn

• The company of like-minded beginners

• Freshly-baked snacks and bottomless tea and coffee to fuel your learning

• Additional materials (wadding, basting pins and binding clips) plus use of Kathleen’s studio sewing machines and cutting equipment.

 
You’ll need:

• Your personal choice of cotton fabrics to make your quilt – you’ll receive guidance to help you choose before the course begins

• Use of a basic sewing machine and sewing kit (needles, thread, scissors) at home to work on your quilt in between classes

• A packed lunch to keep you going as we learn.

 
At the end of the course you will:

• Be able to use modern tools, equipment and techniques to cut, piece and combine layers of fabric to create patchwork quilts.

• Appreciate hand-quilting and other traditional techniques which can be incorporated into modern quilting practice

• Value the social and personal benefits of sewing and quilting as part of modern life

• Feel skilled and confident to make another patchwork quilt of any size.
  

Recommendations for quilt-making for beginners:

“Kathleen’s quilting course has been a joy to attend. She is a fabulously enthusiastic and patient teacher.  I have absolutely loved making my first quilt.” - Dani

“I loved learning to quilt and wish I had found Kathleen sooner. She is a great teacher, very intuitive to keep people with differing sewing experience on track and achieving great results.” - Lesley

“Thank you so much for a wonderful course. I loved every minute. You were so informative, patient and inspiring.” - Sue

 Are you ready to become a quilter? Let’s get stated!