Workshops
The pleasant findings from our online workshops:
As we run more an more online workshops and private lessons, we are finding that there a lot of pleasant advantages to this delivery mode and we wanted to share them with you.
You can learn in the comfort of your own home, we’ve had students snuggled up on the couch, professionally setup at their work from home desks, cleverly tucked away in their crafting corner or bolstered by pillows in their comfy beds!
Tardiness is avoided because you don’t have to plan your public transport trip, or juggle travel time and parking, then finding the venue. It’s never been easier to avoid being late to class.
While we’re all further apart, this delivery method means we’ve never been closer! By using multiple cameras you get to see what your teacher is doing in different ways. See your teacher like she’s at your kitchen table, or view what she’s doing as if you were peering right over their shoulder.
You can access new support, you still have your detailed handouts and we’re adding more video references on YouTube. During class we can share more references during discussions.
With our teacher and host model for workshops it’s focused and allows you to engage with teachers and the other participants. We have a host who liaises throughout the class via the chat, relaying questions without interrupting the teacher’s audio.
Know about #SecretPyjamas?

Join the revolution… many of us are incorporating our pyjamas in our everyday wardrobe. Our love of loungewear has grown super strong in lockdown! So take your favourite PJs pattern and choose a tizzy fabric, then wear them with a blazer and heels!
Check out out Pyjama Pants pattern – click here. It’s unisex, has pockets, a separate waistband and slight boot leg shape (also with a boxers variation).
Calming, creative & soulful skills
If you are looking for ways to unwind, relax, make the stress of your day stop, crochet or knitting could be your hobby. Let our teachers Lorena and Amy show you how these handcrafts encourage imagination and develop your artistic side. Stimulate the logical part of your brain, distract the chatty bit in the back and calm yourself with these creative therapies.
“Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression. Activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed. Group activities like team sports can improve your communication skills and relationships with others.”
Read more from Head Health a resource from the Australian Government – click here.
Workshop phased reopening
After a lonely ten weeks of shutdown, Thread Den is finally getting back into the workshop!
Making a COVID-SAFE workshop:
The footprint of the workshop allows for Thread Den to have 26 people onsite, or 13 in each workroom and maintain physical distancing regulations. New protocols have also been introduced covering cleaning, the approach to teaching and the introduction of loads of sanitiser and disinfectant.
Danielle, Thread Den’s owner explained:
“Our biggest change and an exciting improvement was changing our sewing workroom to now house six individual sewing stations. They are 4x4metres and are each kitted out with their own sewing machine, an overlocker, a steam generator iron, shears, sewing kits and all the required tools for a class.”
An investment has been made to create a space that is achieving social distance regulations, but still feels nurturing to students and providing every support possible while they learn to sew. Past students and Thread Den’s members will see many more tools, new appliances, machinery and furniture. New protocols to establish a COVID-Safe workshop have been implemented and there has been a reduction in the maximum class size from 8 down to 6 students for all workshops.
You can take a peek at the ongoing progress on our Instagram.
Not everything kicks off at the same time, read on for details of the phased workshop schedule for June, July and August…
[Read more…] about Workshop phased reopeningPrivate Lessons
For any enquiries about private lessons, email us info @ threadden.com
Knitting Machine Lessons
We have a new teacher to introduce!
With Lorena joining the team we already have two new workshops for you, with more in the pipeline.
Lorena specialises in knitted constructed textiles, her knitwear line Lore Lore produces all things from homewares to wearable accessories and fully-fashioned garments. Lorena’s creative inspiration comes from living in South America and Asia, incorporating those vibrant cultures and the people encountered along the way.
Knitting Machine Basics
In this 6 hour Knitting Machine Workshop students will learn to use the machine and make a beanie. Knitting machines provided!
“This hands-on project will get you straight onto a machine experimenting with a few key techniques to get you started on your own beanie creation. By the end of the workshop you’ll be returning home with your very own Pom Pom beanie crafted by you!” – read more.
Alternative Hand Knitting
In this 3 hour Knitting Workshop students will learn to hand knit a jute market bag using chunky techniques and huge needles.
No experience necessary, join Lorena and make your own market bag – read more.
How to Copy a Garment You Love

Yifen recently took part in one of the most popular short courses we offer – the two day course: How to Copy a Garment You Love.
Over a total of 12 hours; students learn how to assess their original garment to draft a pattern off it – without having to pull the original garment apart! The second component of the course is having students make a toile of their pattern so that we can test the pattern that has been created and make any adjustments or corrections to pattern. This short course is a great introduction to pattern drafting.

In the August 2019 course, Yifen copied a fun party dress that featured angled seams, ruffles and gathering (no easy feat for the copying process) and we are so proud of her results! Yifen only learnt to sew this year in our Sewing Basics for Beginners 3 Week Course. She has achieved an amazing result with her copied dress – we love it more than the original! Plus she now has a pattern for her favourite dress and can create many different versions. We hope they all bring her as much joy as the fabulous zig zag version.
Old fashioned or necessary: Hang the garment?
Have you ever come across the instruction “hang the garment for 24 hours”. It may seem unnecessary or even a bit of an old fashioned wive’s tale. But this instruction is necessary and has a purpose.
A circle skirt covers all the angles of the fabric, think of the skirt hanging on your body – at the front the grain line hangs vertically, on your hips the cross grain hangs vertically, in between the bias is hanging vertically.
If you pull on the angles of your fabric you would find there is very little give along the grain line, there is some give along the cross grain, and there is loads of give or stretch along the bias. Once hanging the bias will stretch and this makes the hem drop more at the bias angles. By hanging your garment, you allow the dropping to occur before hemming.
Make a circle skirt in our class and learn all about the bias and handling the fabric, inserting an invisible zip, attaching a waistband and how to narrow hem all that fabric! Make a Circle Skirt at Thread Den.
Image from Melly Sews
Why make your own knickers?
You’ll feel fab!
Imagine if you chose fabric to match your favourite bras and made a couple of pairs of complimentary knickers for each one. You could be rocking a matching set every day of the week… Imagine it! So posh!
You could have the nicest knickers on the line. Totally make the housemates and neighbours jealous.
Save $$$
Thought of how much money you could save by buying a metre or so of fabric, a few metres of lingerie elastic and making up a few pairs?
Or recycling an old t shirt into some undies? That awesome band name that you love could be placed proudly across your bum!
Be comfortable
We’ve updated this workshop format so that you can bring along other underwear patterns to make in class! Chose the style you like the most.
In the class description we have recommend several great beginner patterns.
PLUS – We’ll be running a seperate class for men’s boxer briefs as they are quite different. So the boys won’t miss out – and if you love wearing the boy’s, this will be the class for you (coming soon).
Read the full class description – click here.



