Learn to Sew Melbourne
Retro TV dropped in to film a segment at Thread Den. Miss Lee gave Courtenay the fabulous fifties hair she had always dreamed of. Subscribe to the Retro TV YouTube channel to watch the episode the moment it drops and learn how to do a brick set and create stunning 1950s hair waves.
If you ever want your own hair lesson with Miss Lee contact us! We can even organise a fab’ party with all your friends. It will be just like the sleep-over scene in Grease. “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee…”
Our newest course is the Ulysses Trench Coat by Victory Patterns.
This pattern from Victory Patterns goes up to a 113cm bust, therefore we are going to be grading custom patterns for participants needing more inclusive sizing. Bookings for a bust over 115cm will close two weeks prior to the start to allow grading patterns.
The list of dressmaking skills covered in this course is extensive: Taking measurements, choosing the right size and shortening or lengthening if needed, pattern placement and transferring markings, and cutting technique. Applying bias binding on unlined seams, some French seams, stitching a lining to the rain guard overlay, notched out holes for the belt and patch pockets with flaps. How to handle some pattern pieces that have been cut on the bias. Creating a professional centre back vent, using a buckle or creating a buckle with D-rings, optional – making self-bias binding. Phew! What a list!
In this comprehensive new course, we are going to take you through the whole process from beginning-to-end of using a tissue paper pattern. The course cost includes a pattern and instruction booklet. Participants should expect to do some homework during the course to ensure you stay on track and finish the trench coat during the course time frame.
See the course description and view more photos – click here.
A 2 hour & 45 minute drive from Melbourne (or catch the train out via Ballarat!) you’ll find Ararat, a town that is part of Victoria’s Central Highlands. The Ararat TAMA (Textile Art Museum Australia) has been operating since 1968.
The dynamic growth in textile practice from the 1970s into the 1990s is reflected in a wide range of acquisitions including quilts, tapestries, baskets and embroideries, as well as experimental mixed media works that reflect the enthusiasm and optimism amongst textile artists during this period.
Ararat TAMA – araratgallerytama.com.au
Current exhibitions include;
Barbara’s interest and appreciation for well-tailored clothing and fashion began during her school days and her early adulthood. As a young woman Barbara favoured Marlowe of Sydney, a designer who had studied in France and was highly proficient in haute couture. Following a move to Melbourne, Barbara was a dedicated patron of Arija Austin, the owner and designer of Tu in South Yarra. Following her death in March 1990, Barbara’s son Mr Angus K Grimwade generously donated over 400 items from her wardrobe to Ararat Gallery, including clothing, hats, handbags, shoes and assorted accessories of gloves, belts and scarves.
Runs Until Sunday 19th March 2023
FREE
Carole Mules (nee Anderson) was born in 1946, after studying art and teaching at the School of Mines in Ballarat, Carole moved to Melbourne to raise a family where she developed her interest in photography, textiles and ceramics. Carole created a rich pallet of textures and colours using combinations of contact printing with native plants and found objects, freehand machine stitching, hand stitching, cut and collage, floral resist, and tying and folding fabric. Carole passed away in September 2021.
Runs until Sunday 19th March 2023
FREE
Notions of Care explores the ways in which art and nurture are interlinked. Through the works of Arini Byng, Snapcat, Polly Stanton, Kate Tucker and Katie West, ways of caring are unfolded, cultivated, and enforced. The exhibition asks questions about the ways that art can care for both viewers and artists. Throughout the exhibition, care is explored through a variety of means. From soft sculptural forms, bodily interrelations, field recordings and the scent of local flora, the exhibition welcomes a personal and intimate reverence of calm.
Runs until Sunday 26th February 2023
FREE
Are you looking for the perfect gift idea for someone who loves to sew? A beautifully crafted pair of dressmaking shears or thread snips is a quality gift that will last a lifetime.
For an extra special touch, consider having your loved one’s name engraved on the blade.
Click here to see our gift ideas.
Super quick and in some pics, here are our top bobbin threading tips:
Avoid layering up threads on your bobbins. When you get to the end of the outer thread (white in our picture), a knot can easily be created as the needle thread tries to pick up the end of the white thread and the beginning of the yellow thread all at once.
Don’t leave a long thread tail after loading up your bobbin. Each time the machine rotates the needle thread around the bobbin, it will try to pick up both the working end and the tail end of the thread. Instead, snip off the tail thread close to the bobbin.
The thread in our picture isn’t neat, the threads crisis cross each other which will encourage skipped stitches. Double-check your manual to ensure you are threading up correctly to perfectly fill a bobbin with thread.
If your thread feels squishy on the bobbin or you can easily separate threads like in our picture, you will likely be missing a tension guide when threading your bobbin.
If you are following all the guides on your machine and pulling the thread into the bobbin thread tension guide you should have a good-looking bobbin, ready for a great session of sewing!
These are the top tips for cutting out your fabric that we share when you join a sewing workshop at Thread Den. Doing a great job of cutting out all your pattern pieces before you even start sewing will help the rest of your project go smoothly.
🧵 Thread Den: The Next Gen’ ✂️
Thread Den: The Next Gen’ is where young creatives learn to stitch with style and passion during the school holidays and in our after school sewing classes. Workshops cater to 9-to-13 year olds and 13-to-17 year olds. Read class descriptions and titles carefully to ensure you are booking into the right age group.
Congratulations to the below mailing list member who won a place in our Taking Measurements and Selecting Sizes Workshop in August 2022:
Congratulations to the below Thread Den member who won a place in our PJ Pants Course in August 2022:
For your chance to win prizes like this, become a Thread Den member. Click here to read more.
Congratulations to the below Thread Den members who won a place in our Cushion Cover Workshop in July 2022:
For your chance to win prizes like this, become a Thread Den member. Click here to read more.