Upcoming Courses

Having officially launched CraftyMonkies in September 2019 with two One-Day Sewing & Quilting Workshops at Belton Park Golf Club, near Grantham, our upcoming courses see us offer a similar One-Day Sewing & Quilting Workshop over two days (and, yes, you can attend both days, as each event offers different sewing/quilting projects!) on Thursday 5th & Friday 6th December 2019 at the stunning Belton House National Trust, also near Grantham.​ We are also going to make sure there are different projects on every sewing/quilting course, so that if you want to come again you wont be making the same thing! For those of you interested in other crafts such as Papercrafting, Brush-Lettering, Knitting & Crochet, Jewellery, Mixed Media, Scrapbooking, etc there's great news: we'll be announcing more specialist themed Courses/Workshops very soon - including some which marry crafting with Mindfulness!...

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Two questions we're often asked is: 'Are your courses suitable for beginners?' Do you have a machine I can borrow? The answer to both is a resounding: 'YES'! We have 4 machines on a first come first served basis, so please ask us when you book! Beginners & proficient crafters alike can join in with the fun, friendship - and don't forget the cake! On a CraftyMonkies Course/Workshop/Retreat, we want you to learn techniques that perhaps you only dreamt of being able to do or improve techniques you'll be able to use on future projects of your own to expand your creative horizons! On these courses you will learn: how to sew with stretch fabric, master an overlocker, sew on a neck, band and cuffs, work with French seams and 'stitch in the ditch'. We'll talk to you about appliqué and how to apply, make pockets all beautifully edged, embroidery, working with strips of fabric and creating family heirlooms and so much more! 

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More Two-Day & One-Day Crafting Workshops are already in the planning for 2020 but, in response to the huge demand we've experienced in recent weeks, we're delighted to be able to announce our first Sewing & Quilting Weekend Retreats & Two-Day Workshops for 2020 - please read on for more details of our upcoming exciting events!...

Belton House National Trust, near Grantham

Thursday 05 & Friday 06 December 2019

Belton House National Trust

Belton, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2LS  (Sat Nav: NG32 2LW)

Two-Day Sewing & Quilting Workshops with Sarah Payne & Heather Jacks

Price includes Tuition, 2 x Full Kits, Lunch &  Refreshments on each day!

Those unable to join us for both Two-Day Workshops can join in on either the Thursday or Friday

by selecting the option they prefer via our Book Online page

You get to make two fabulous projects (you can choose your top & colour). Nearly £50 worth of kits are included in your course price of £125.00 for each day, plus we provide a great lunch & refreshments! In the morning, half of you work with Sarah, half of you work with Heather; then in the afternoon, you swap. 

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Sarah Payne - Thursday 5th December

Crazy Patchwork Christmas Stocking

Get crazy with a fun Christmas Stocking project (including embroidery and quilting strips together) sure to delight Santa when he pays a visit this Christmas. Learn quick machine crazy patchwork and play with your machine!

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Heather Jacks - Thursday 5th December

Festive Kimono or Draped Top

Trust us, we have chosen the most beautiful fabrics for you to be able to make a wonderful kimono or draped top that you can wear on Christmas Day! Paisley satin for the kimono, navy blue or red for the draped top. The tops are simple enough to make for beginners, but with details that will offer you new techniques to further advance your skills. They are also versatile and can be worn by people of all shapes and sizes.

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Sarah Payne - Friday 6th December

Christmas Advent Bunting

This is the perfect project as a gift for family & friends, or your own mantel piece. The bunting will have appliqued numbers & pockets for little festive treats to open on the run up to Christmas - this is a great fun, festive project to make!

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Heather Jacks - Friday 6th December

Festive Kimono or Draped Top

Trust us, we have chosen the most beautiful fabrics for you to be able to make a wonderful kimono or draped top that you can wear on Christmas Day! Paisley satin for the kimono, navy blue or red for the draped top. The tops are simple enough to make for beginners, but with details that will offer you new techniques to further advance your skills. They are also versatile and can be worn by people of all shapes and sizes.

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Kit for Patchwork Stocking & Advent Bunting includes:-

• Complete colour pattern with template

• Fat ¼ bundle of Christmas fabric

• Lining fabric

• Wadding

• Ribbon for hanging

• Kit value RRP approx £26.50

Kit for Kimono/Draped Top includes:-

• Complete pattern with template

• fabric in colour/patter choices

• Kit value RRP approx £25.00

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What you can expect to achieve:-

Crazy Patchwork Christmas Stocking & Advent Bunting

You may not complete this project in the time allowed – it is very much dependent on how much you choose to embellish your stocking and how fast you sew. We will concentrate on completing one side of the stocking on the day and keep the back plain. However you will receive FULL instructions on completing your project once you get home so you can choose to go crazy on both sides of your stocking.

Kimono/Draped Top

A fully finished beautiful top to be worn with pride after 5th/6th December this year; we're convinced your friends will be asking which expensive boutique or shop you bought it from!

Oulton Hall Hotel, near Leeds

Two-Day Sewing & Quilting Retreat with Sarah Payne & Heather Jacks,

including Overnight Hotel Accommodation & Spa

Saturday 29 February & Sunday 1st March 2020

Oulton Hall Hotel, near Leeds

Saturday 29 February & Sunday 01 March 2020

Oulton Hall Hotel

Rothwell Lane, Oulton, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS26 8HN

Join us for a Weekend Retreat with Overnight Hotel Accommodation & Spa PLUS

Two-Day Sewing & Quilting Workshops with Sarah Payne & Heather Jacks.

Price includes Tuition, 2 x Full Kits, Lunch & Refreshments on each day!

Those unable to join us for the Retreat can join theTwo-Day Workshops or join in on either the Saturday or Sunday

by selecting the option they prefer  (see below) and booking via our Book Online page

You get to make two fabulous projects each day. Nearly £50 worth of kits are included in your course price of £145.00 for each day, plus we provide a great lunch & refreshments! In the morning, half of you work with Sarah, half of you work with Heather; then in the afternoon, you swap. 

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Sarah Payne - Saturday 29th February 2020

Hawaiian Style Appliqué

Easy Machine Stitched Hawaiian Style Appliqué. Hawaiian appliqué is traditionally hand stitched and needle turned, but this method uses your sewing machine and a standard sewing foot to produce fast, effective results. You will learn how to create a simple design, transfer it to fabric and then stitch a fun panel perfect for a cushion or the start of a brand new quilt. This technique will get you 'appliquéing' (is that even a word?!) like a pro in no time at all.

Fully included Kit! RRP £24.99

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Heather Jacks - Saturday 29th February 2020

Easy Fleece Top

You will be making a fairly simple but warm, cosy and practical fleece top! This gives you, the sewer a chance to use fabric that you might not have used before. Using a walking foot, (although it's quite possible without)  Heather will take you through the stages of construction including a stretch neckline (and you will use an overlocker to finish this) and cuffs. Also you'll be making a fleece tube, which can be slipped over the head to convert the top to a cosy polo! Great!

Fully Included Kit RRP £20

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Sarah Payne - Sunday 1st March 2020

Quilted Cosmetic Bag

Get to grip with zips – Quilted Cosmetic Bag. Many of us start out terrified of zips and avoid tackling them at all costs, but fear not – Sarah is here to show you how to quickly and easily turn a bit of quilted fabric into a fun and stylish cosmetic bag. Sarah will show  you how to work with iron on wadding, use a simple quilting technique to add interest (and get to grips with your walking foot) and then use it to create a fully lined bag with an inset zip and a boxed out base. Once you see how easy it is, there will be no stopping you!

Fully included Kit! RRP £19.99

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Heather Jacks - Sunday 1st March 2020

An A-Line Skirt to Fit You Perfectly!

Learn how to sew the perfect invisible stitch (sewers need an invisible zipper foot) and attach a waistband. You'll be using fusible interfacing to give structure to the waistband, and you will also learn the right way to attach a skirt hook and bar. Also you'll be finishing the seams Hong Kong style, with bias tape. This is a technique used in high end clothes manufacture. OOH, fancy! A great project to learn wonderful techniques!

Fully included kit RRP £25

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Kit for Projects will include:-

• Complete colour pattern with template

• Fabric

Kit for Projects will include:-

• Complete pattern with template

• Fabric in colour/pattern choices

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What you can expect to achieve:-

Two Projects by Sarah Payne

You may not complete the projects in the time allowed – it is very much dependent on how much you choose to embellish your work and how fast you sew. However you will receive FULL instructions on completing your projects once you get home. All suitable for beginners upwards.

Two Projects by Heather Jacks

It is likely you will complete Heather's projects in the time allowed. All suitable for beginners upwards

Tortworth Court Hotel, near Bristol

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 March 2020

Tortworth Court Hotel

Tortworth, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 8HH

Join us for a Weekend Retreat with Overnight Hotel Accommodation PLUS

Two-Day Sewing & Quilting Workshops with Sarah Payne & Heather Jacks.

Price includes Tuition, 2 x Full Kits, Lunch & Refreshments on each day!

Those unable to join us for the Retreat can join theTwo-Day Workshops or join in on either the Saturday or Sunday

by selecting the option they prefer  (see below) and booking via our Book Online page

You get to make two fabulous projects (you can choose your top & colour). Nearly £50 worth of kits are included in your course price of £145.00 for each day, plus we provide a great lunch & refreshments! In the morning, half of you work with Sarah, half of you work with Heather; then in the afternoon, you swap. 

​

Sarah Payne - Saturday 14th March 2020

Free Motion Embroidery

Sarah will show you how you can create a fun design using scraps of fabric and your free motion/embroidery foot on your sewing machine. Learn how to create your design, transfer it onto fabric and then 'draw' it with your sewing machine. This is a fun experimental class and you will end up with one or more raw edged appliqué and free motion stitched block that you can turn into a cushion, frame or use as the basis for a new quilt.

Fully included Kit! RRP £24.99

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Heather Jacks - Saturday 14th March 2020

A practical but beautiful Waterfall top!

Here you will learn French seams, stitch in the ditch and handling a soft fabric to make this loose fitting top. The garment will be finished with a contrast band. Stunning fabrics for you to choose from will be detailed soon. A great top to learn from, and then you can make lots of these for yourself and friends! There will be a choice of materials available.

Fully Included Kit! RRP £25.00

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Sarah Payne - Sunday 15th March 2020

Strip Table Runner

Quilt-as-you-go with Sarah's Strip Table Runner! This technique will allow you to create and quilt large projects on a small machine because you will quilt it in small, bite-sized and manageable pieces. Once your block is completed you will quilt it and THEN sew the quilt together. This simple Strip Table Runner will help you get to grips with this technique, so that a double-bed quilt will no longer feel like an impossible task! Sarah will demonstrate how to use  a walking foot and create your masterpiece with or without sashing, and she will explain how the method you use will affect how you work your blocks.

Fully included Kit! RRP £29.99

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Heather Jacks - Sunday 15th March 2020

The French Curve!

Learn to draft your own sleeve pattern using a French Curve, then translate that to fabric and fit it into a simple top. This is such a useful thing to learn as there's always garments you wish had sleeves in. Once you know how to do this you'll be reinventing your wardrobe! Dont forget, you get the French curve to keep and take home!

Fully included Kit! £RRP £20.00

​

Kit for Projects will include:-

• Complete colour pattern with template

• Fabric

Kit for Projects will include:-

• Complete pattern with template

• Fabric in colour/patter choices

• The French Curve!

​

What you can expect to achieve:-

Two Projects by Sarah Payne

You may not complete the projects in the time allowed – it is very much dependent on how much you choose to embellish your work and how fast you sew. However you will receive FULL instructions on completing your projects once you get home. All projects are suitable for beginners up!

Two Projects by Heather Jacks

It is likely you will complete Heather's projects in the time allowed. All projects are suitable for beginners up!

Wivenhoe House Hotel, near Colchester

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March 2020

Wivenhoe House Hotel

Park Road, Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ

Join us for a Weekend Retreat with Overnight Hotel Accommodation PLUS

Two-Day Sewing & Quilting Workshops with Sarah Payne & Heather Jacks.

Price includes Tuition, 2 x Full Kits, Lunch & Refreshments on each day!

Those unable to join us for the Retreat can join theTwo-Day Workshops or join in on either the Saturday or Sunday

by selecting the option they prefer  (see below) and booking via our Book Online page

You get to make two fabulous projects (you can choose your top & colour). Nearly £50 worth of kits are included in your course price of £145.00 for each day, plus we provide a great lunch & refreshments! In the morning, half of you work with Sarah, half of you work with Heather; then in the afternoon, you swap. 

​

Sarah Payne - Saturday 28th March 2020

Free Motion Embroidery

Sarah will show you how you can create a fun design using scraps of fabric and your free motion/embroidery foot on your sewing machine. Learn how to create your design, transfer it onto fabric and then 'draw' it with your sewing machine. This is a fun experimental class and you will end up with one or more raw edged appliqué and free motion stitched block that you can turn into a cushion, frame or use as the basis for a new quilt.

Fully included Kit! RRP £24.99

​

Heather Jacks - Saturday 28th March 2020

A practical but beautiful Waterfall top!

Here you will learn French seams, stitch in the ditch and handling a soft fabric to make this loose fitting top. The garment will be finished with a contrast band. Stunning fabrics for you to choose from will be detailed soon. A great top to learn from, and then you can make lots of these for yourself and friends! There will be a choice of materials available.

Fully Included Kit! RRP £25.00

​

Sarah Payne - Sunday 29th March 2020

Strip Table Runner

Quilt-as-you-go with Sarah's Strip Table Runner! This technique will allow you to create and quilt large projects on a small machine because you will quilt it in small, bite-sized and manageable pieces. Once your block is completed you will quilt it and THEN sew the quilt together. This simple Strip Table Runner will help you get to grips with this technique, so that a double-bed quilt will no longer feel like an impossible task! Sarah will demonstrate how to use  a walking foot and create your masterpiece with or without sashing, and she will explain how the method you use will affect how you work your blocks.

Fully included Kit! RRP £29.99

​

Heather Jacks - Sunday 29th March 2020

The French Curve!

Learn to draft your own sleeve pattern using a French Curve, then translate that to fabric and fit it into a simple top. This is such a useful thing to learn as there's always garments you wish had sleeves in. Once you know how to do this you'll be reinventing your wardrobe! Dont forget, you get the French curve to keep and take home!

Fully included Kit! £RRP £20.00

​

Kit for Projects will include:-

• Complete colour pattern with template

• Fabric

Kit for Projects will include:-

• Complete pattern with template

• Fabric in colour/patter choices

• The French Curve!

​

What you can expect to achieve:-

Two Projects by Sarah Payne

You may not complete the projects in the time allowed – it is very much dependent on how much you choose to embellish your work and how fast you sew. However you will receive FULL instructions on completing your projects once you get home. All projects are suitable for beginners up!

Two Projects by Heather Jacks

It is likely you will complete Heather's projects in the time allowed. All projects are suitable for beginners up!