This full day class will take you through the process of making this gorgeous foldover fabric tote, with an internal pocket and a leather strap. 

Teacher: Leslie Keating

Description: Spend the day with Leslie making your own foldover tote which is fully customisable and finished with an internal pocket and leather strap. 

The bag has a few different inside pocket options including a divided pocket, a zipper pocket for more experienced sewers or one with a flap and press stud. Leslie will also take you through the process of working with leather and attaching the strap.

Materials: There will be a small materials cost for bag hardware. You will need to bring fabric for the bag and the lining. More information about suitable materials will be sent to you via email.

Takeaway: A foldover tote and a set of bag making sewing skills.

Level: This class is a fantastic choice for complete beginners who want to learn to sew, as well as those whose skills are a little rusty. Or you might be an intermediate sewer who wants to make a gorgeous and functional bag.

Workshop Length: Full day

This is a full day workshop in which we will skill up on our knitting techniques, ending the day with a completed hat. Kirsten is creating a new pattern especially for this class so please be aware that the images are just representative at this stage. 

Teacher: Kirsten Johnstone

Description: Lead by knitwear designer Kirsten Johnstone we will be knitting a seamless hat. This full day class is split into two halves allowing you to work on the body overnight if you want to. Spend a relaxing day with Kirsten while learning techniques such as seamless knitting, provisional cast-on, crown shaping as well as an i-cord bind off (one of my favourite finishes).

Materials: Please bring 150m of a worsted weight yarn of your choice. You would also need a 40cm circular needle in a size at which you can achieve 20 stitches per 10cm - suggested size would be about 5.0mm depending on your yarn and knitting AND one size bigger.  You would also need a set of double pointed needles of the same size. 

Takeaway: We will finish the day with a completed hat and more knitting skills.

Level: This class would be great for an advanced beginner as well as intermediate knitters.

Workshop Length: Full day.

This class is a beginner sewing class where you will be making a woven tee with a fantastic shape. An everyday piece with beautiful finish.

Teacher: Sophie Parslow

Description: The Scout Tee is a very popular pattern by label Grainline. It is a beautifully shaped everyday woven tee that is an achievable project by someone with even basic sewing skills. With Sophie's guidance you will master neck bindings, a set-in sleeve and doing a beautiful hem. 

Materials: Your sewing machine - contact us if you are unable to bring one as we have a limited number available to borrow. A sewing kit and lightweight cotton in a fabric of your choice. We will send you more details after registration.

Takeaway: A woven tee and improved confidence in your skills.

Level: Adventurous beginner. Some basic sewing experience and a some knowledge of your sewing machine.

Workshop Length: Half day

Learn to knit intricate colour patterns. This is a new half-day class giving participants the chance to try stranded colourwork under the expert guidance of one of our favourite knitting teachers.

Teacher: Julia Billings

Description: Designed to give knitters an introduction to the thrills of stranded colourwork, this three-hour session combines a bit of theory and lots of hands-on and uses a warm winter hat as a focus to learn the fundamental techniques. Please note that the pictures on this page are just to give you an indication of the types of things you will be able to try after this class. Julia is designing a hat pattern especially for you to make on the day.

We’ll get straight to work with needles and yarn, learning the tricks to knitting with two colours at once- the various ways to hold the two yarns, carrying the unused yarn neatly at the back, working in the round, colour dominance and more. At the same time, we’ll take a brief look into the traditions of colourwork knitting and discuss the basics of colour theory and working with colour charts.

Materials: Two (or more) shades of woolly, non-superwash, 10ply yarn. Participants will be required to work the band of the hat before the class- instructions for this, as well as the required yarn quantities and needle sizes, will be provided before the event.

Takeaway: The beginnings of a hat and the confidence to take on more complex colourwork designs.

Level: Adventurous beginner/intermediate. Participants should be comfortable with casting on and off and knit and purl prior to this class. Some experience knitting in the round would be helpful.

Workshop Length: Half day

A brand new class from the beautiful crocheter Mel of the blog Loved Handmade. 

Teacher: Mel Tonzing

Description: This full day class with Mel will involve re-visiting basic crochet stitches to create a shell-like pattern. Spending a full day will enable you to become comfortable with your technique, learn what to do with mistakes and pick Mel's brain about all things crochet. It will be a relaxed session, with plenty of time for tea, bikkies and a chat.

Materials: You will need to bring 200gm 8ply yarn (Mel likes to get hers from Bendigo Woolen Mills as they come in 200gm balls..they also deliver nice and quick), 4.50mm or 5.00mm crochet hook (either size will be suitable for this piece) and a tapestry needle. 

Takeaway: By the end of this workshop we will be well on our way to creating a snuggly winter cowl that I’m certain will be a staple wardrobe piece!

Level: This class would be great for those who have a basic knowledge of crochet who want to extend their skills and really understand the structure and rhythm.

Workshop Length: Full Day

The hardest part for a budding designer is not coming up with ideas or even knitting the prototype. Itʼs translating that one size into a whole multitude of them. Where do all those numbers come from? How do you know what to base the sizing on? This class tackles those questions. 

Teacher: Georgie Hallam

Description: Together we will walk through the process of grading a raglan cardigan for a range of sizes. We will look at what measurements to base your sizing on, where to find them and why to use them. We will look at the important of ease in a garment and how to make sure you have the right amount in each section of your garment. You will be introduced to a number of formulas and approaches that can make the sizing and grading process easier.

Having successfully graded the cardigan, we will then look at how different stitch patterns are dealt with when it comes to designing and grading a pattern. 

Materials: You will need to bring 100g of dk/8ply weight yarn and 4mm needles OR size required to achieve 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches. 

Takeaway: An understanding of the grading process. 

Level:  Intermediate to Advanced. Participants need to be confident knitters and have a desire to design or customise their own garments. 

Workshop Length: Half day

This is a full day workshop in which we'll explore simple, traditional patchwork and create a cushion cover, small quilt top or a set of finished blocks to take home.

Teacher: Melissa Wastney  

Description: This class is a great opportunity to learn patchwork techniques. We'll use rotary cutters and mats to make blocks such as the traditional 'saw-toothed star' and 'flying geese' designs. 

The 'starry sky quilt' shown in the photos for inspiration is a project featured in Melissa's craft book 'Sweet and Simple Handmade' (C&T Publishing, 2013) and utilises second-hand men's shirts in classic blues, red and cream hues for a soft and worn feel.

Melissa will bring instructions for making each type of block, and pictures of some beautiful, simple patchwork quilts to inspire you.

Part of this class will be a lead class however there will be a lot of free time to explore colour and form under the guidance of Melissa.

Materials: You will need to provide a sewing machine - please contact us if this is not possible. Each student should also bring dressmaking scissors, pins, thread and small thread scissors. You could bring a cutting mat, rotary cutter and ruler, but that's optional- there will be mats available for you to use. Please bring a selection of washed cotton fabric- either recycled from clothing, or new fabrics. (Imagine a soft palette of fabrics from recycled clothes or crisp, bright cottons- go with your own style.) Felicia and Melissa will also provide some fabrics for you to choose from,  too. You will also need to provide a zip if you would like to make a zipped cushion cover.

Takeaway: We will finish the day with a number of patchwork blocks, sewn up into either a cushion cover (with either a zipped or envelope enclosure) or a small quilt top.

Level: This class would be great for beginner patchworkers looking to get started, as well as experienced ones who enjoy patchworking in a group setting.

Workshop Length: Full day

Hi - Felicia here! This skirt pattern is the favourite thing I have ever made. I wear it once a week. At least! It has beautiful details that mean a gorgeously made garment you will be astonished that you made. And Sophie is the woman to take you through it...

Teacher: Sophie Parslow

Description: Sophie will take you through the process of making this super flattering classic skirt. With it's waist ties, front button placket, pleats, hand stitched waistband and double stitched hem you will learn beautiful finishing techniques while making something incredibly wearable. Beautiful finishes are indicative of Wiksten patterns. 

We are in the process of making up samples so in the mean time please google "Wiksten Tulip images" to see many many gorgeous versions of this pattern for inspiration.

Materials: You will need to bring your sewing machine. If this is not possible please contact us as we have a limited number of machines available for you to borrow. Please also bring fabric for your skirt, scissors, pins and a basic sewing kit. More information about suitable fabrics will be sent to you after registration. 

Takeaway: A beautiful wearable garment and some fantastic skills. 

Level: To do this course you must have some sewing experience - (you may have made a cushion? or some curtains) - and you need to know your machine.

Workshop Length: Full day

Learn how to make a stunning neckpiece with designer Kirsten Johnstone's expert assistance. 

Teacher: Kirsten Johnstone

Description: This class is the best of both worlds. The class will provide you with an opportunity to create your own “Sev[en]circle” neckpiece with one of Australia's best knitwear designers. And it is a technique based class where you will have time to practice techniques such as a cast-on, backward loop cast-on, knitting in the round, bind off, weaving in ends. 

This class has a lot of flexibility. Kirsten will take you through options– you might make a bracelet; a 3 or 4 or 5 ring neckpiece, etc. You might consider the use of different yarns, embellishments (ie beads, buttons, etc.) to create something personal and unique.

Knitting discussion will include the use of circular needles, backward loop cast-on, and knitting in the round technique.

Materials: Bring yarn of your choice. The pattern suggests 170m of Laceweight (2 ply) or 370m of Sport Weight (5 ply). Any yarn, any colour, any weight may be used. Consider it a design suitable for using up remnants or exploring unusual fibres. (Tip: thicker yarn will yield a quick result suitable to finish in the allotted class time – consider DK/8ply or larger.)  

You will also need circular needles (40-60cm length), gauge to suit your yarn choice, as well as 1 stitch markers and a tapestry needle. Feel free to bring embellishments may include beads, buttons, fibres, special yarns etc.

Takeaway: Your own handmade neckpiece.

Level: Beginner / Intermediate Knitter – must be able to Cast On + Bind Off, perform Knit and Purl stitches competently in a piece of knitting.

Helpful skills to understand prior to class include Backward Loop Cast-on + Knitting In The Round with Circular Needles.

Workshop Length: Half day

Learn to design and carve your own stamp and use it to print onto cloth. This was a super popular class last year, with participants loving the hands-on nature of the workshop. 

Teacher: Leslie Keating  

Description: This class will cover the basics of creating a design suitable for block printing, how to transfer a design onto the carving block, how to carve with a lino cutter set, what paints and ink are suitable for stamping on fabric and what base cloths work best. There will be time allotted to work on a simple design, participants will then work at carving their stamps and can have a play with stamping using supplied inks and cloth. This is a technique focused class but you will go home with the stamps and printed fabric created during the workshop plus a work sheet with tips and listing the brands of ink and types of cloth recommended.

Materials: Participants will be required to purchase a kit for $10 which will include a large carving block (suitable for carving a number of stamps from) and covers all ink and fabric used during the workshop. Participants are also more than welcome to bring their own fabric if desired.

Takeaway: This is a technique focused class but you will go home with a printed fat quarter of your own design plus a work sheet with tips and listing the brands of ink and types of cloth recommended. 

Level: Beginner

Workshop Length: Half Day

Learn to design and create a repeating pattern using stamps on fabric.

Teacher: Leslie Keating  

Description: This class will explain the different types of repeat patterns and how these can be achieved with stamps or carved blocks with fabric ink on cloth. Participants will practice stamping a fat quarter of each style of repeat using supplied ink and their own stamps (a supply of stamps and other printing materials will be available for those who do not have stamps).

Materials: Participants will be required to bring 2 meters of light coloured, natural fibre fabric, cut into fat quarters. A white or natural cotton, linen/cotton or hemp/cotton is suggested but it does not need to be fancy or expensive as it will be used for practice. Participants are welcome to also bring fabric that they’d like to print a larger repeat on if desired.

Takeaway: Participants will takeaway the fat quarters that they have printed. 

Level: Beginner

Workshop Length: Half Day

Learn how to coax 25 different shades of colour from one natural dyebath.

Teacher: Julia Billings

Description: In this full-day workshop, you will learn the steps involved in preparing and working with a natural dyebath and how to use mordants and modifiers before and after dyeing to achieve a wide range of colours from the same pot.

Working with an old and exotic dyestuff, this workshop will cover the key aspects of natural dyeing with yarn and fabric; fibre preparation and mordanting, sourcing dyestuffs, preparing the dyebath and safe dyeing practice. We’ll also discuss over-dyeing to create complex colours, keeping records of dye experiments and other tips for dyeing with plants and other natural materials.

Materials: There will be a materials fee of $15 to cover yarn, fabric, dyestuff and other materials. Please bring a pen and notepad and dress warmly as the workshop will take place outside in early spring. Natural dyes can stain clothing and footwear so bring an apron and be sure to wear something dark or old.

Takeaway: Participants will take away samples of yarn and fabric dyed in the workshop and comprehensive notes on the dyeing process.

Level:  Beginner

Workshop Length: Full day

We are excited to have the very talented Mel from Loved Handmade to teach our first crochet course at The Craft Sessions.

Teacher: Mel Tonzing

Description: Ever wanted to try crochet but not sure where to start? This is the class where we learn the basics - we will be using the three basic crochet stitches; chain stitch, double crochet, treble crochet. 

Materials:  You will need to bring yarn (I like to use string or rustic garden twine), 4.50mm crochet hook, tapestry needle, a glass jar (I like to use the medium moccona coffee jar) approx. 11cm high x 26cm in diameter.  Similar sized jars will just make it a little bit more consistent when counting our stitches, but any medium sized jar will be suitable. Mel will provide wire for jar handles. 

Takeaway: By the end of this session we will complete a single jar cover and tea light jar to take home.

Level: Complete beginner

Workshop Length: Half Day

Every knitter has the potential to be great.

Unfortunately, not every knitter is taught the simple secret to make you an awesome knitter, and so they knit on for years, often all their lives, without truly conquering or feeling completely confident with this craft. The secret is simple, itʼs all about reading your knitting. 

Teacher: Georgie Hallam  

Description: In this class, we will knit together to create a small sampler as we explore how to read your knitting in a variety of contexts. By the end of this class your confidence and your ability as a knitter will have soared as you will have learnt:

- to recognise both knit and purl stitches on your needles and in your work.

- to count rows without a row counter in stocking stitch, garter stitch, cables and lace and other patterns.

- how knitting charts can be your best friend.

- how to identify the different increases and decreases within a knitted piece.

- to knit lace and cables confidently.

- how to recognise individual stitches within a pattern.

- to confidently fix mistakes in your knitting without having to rip out entire rows.

If youʼve never quite had the confidence to tackle cables or lace, then this is the class for you. 

Materials: Approximately 100g of dk/8ply weight yarn in a lighter colour (not black or navy). 4mm needles OR the size required by you to achieve a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches. 

Takeaway: A confidence in your knitting that you have never had before - and freedom from fear. Big promises but true! 

Level: Intermediate. You must already know how to increase, decrease and cast-on and cast off. 

Workshop Length: Half Day

This class is fun! If you are a knitter that likes a bit of adventure then this class is for you - Learn the traditional technique of steeking your knitting.

Teacher: Julia Billings

Description: In this session, we will explore how to safely cut your knitting so that you can turn a jumper into a cardigan, resize a garment up or down, add armholes and more. This traditional technique is intrinsic to Fair Isle, Scandinavian and other colourwork knitting traditions and is also useful when knitting cables or other patterns that are more easily worked in the round, for knitting with self-striping yarns and for those who prefer knit to purl...

We’ll look at the various types of steeks, as well as the yarn and stitch patterns commonly used when steeking. Participants will work and cut two different kinds of steeks on their swatches and will learn how to secure the steek once cut and to add a knitted band to the steeked edge.

Materials: 2 completed swatches (instructions for these will be provided before the event), an 80cm circular needle and a crochet hook (both two sizes smaller than those used for the swatch) and a pair of small, sharp scissors.

Takeaway: A lack of fear of steeking and the skills to incorporate a steek into a pattern.

Level: Adventurous beginner/ intermediate. Some experience with cables or stranded colourwork will be useful for the swatching process but is not required.

Workshop Length: Half day

Tackle your fear of sewing with knits and complete a pair of leggings that fit like a glove (or like leggings) by the end of the class.

Teacher: Sophie Parslow

Description: Sewing with knits can be a bit scary for the uninitiated. Sophie knows her stuff and will lead you through this project with enthusiasm and knowledge (and that great smile!). By the end of class you will have conquered your fear and have a gorgeous pair of leggings to show for it. 

Materials: You will need to provide a sewing machine (if you can't let us know), cotton, scissors, fabric (we will send you more details about what to buy closer to the date) and a sewing kit.  

Takeaway:  A pair of leggings that you can wear to yoga on Saturday morning ;)!

Level:  Beginner

Workshop Length: Half day