This year, we're delighted that Emma of 'Hole House Bags' will be offering three different two day courses here at Greystoke.

'The Wendy Bag'  ~   'The Walton Tote'  ~  'The Forager Bag' 

 The Forager Bag  - 2 days    

Fri 5th & Sat 6th July 2024  

10am to 4.00pm each day
£170 inc. a tasty lunch, fresh coffee & home baking

Materials :£20.00 per person (covers interfacing, interlining, zips, strap hardware) 

The Forager is an outdoorsy, cross body bag that looks great made in oilskin and tweed. The bag has a zipped outer pocket as well as optional pockets in the lining and a long, adjustable strap. The top of the bag is designed to slouch a little, while the main body has more structure, so that the whole bag is practical, comfortable to wear and the perfect day to day bag for chucking everything in! It comes in three sizes too, so you can choose whether you want a large messenger bag look, handbag size or handy dog walking bag! 

Suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginners, if you can confidently use your sewing machine, you can make this!

You will need to bring half a metre of oilskin (I recommend Merchant & Mills dry oilskin for ease of sewing) plus half a metre of tweed or other outer fabric. 1m lining fabric (for the largest size) 

The Walton Tote - 2 days

  Fri 4th Sat 5th Oct 2024

10am to 4.00pm each day
£170 inc. a tasty lunch, fresh coffee & home baking

Materials cost : £28/per person (covers interfacing, interlining, hardware, bag base and feet, zips, leather handles) 

The Walton Tote is an elegant handbag, not too big but not too small, with a handy zipped dividing pocket in the lining and an elegant twist lock closure. It looks perfect made in tweed, but you could also use a heavy weight linen or canvas and the design allows you to play with two different outer fabrics if you'd like.

It's suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginner bag makers! As long as you can use your sewing machine, you will be guided carefully through each step.  

You will need to bring half a metre of outer fabric (or two different fabrics) and 1m of lining fabric (or combination of lining fabrics for the pockets!)

The Wendy Crossbody Bag - 2 days

Sat 30 Nov and Sun 1st Dec 2024  **new date**

10.00am to 3.00pm each day  £155inc tasty lunch, fresh coffee & home baking

Materials Cost: £14  covers zips, interfacing, interlining, strap hardware, pattern and written instructions. You will also have access to the online Stitch a long Facebook group. 

The Wendy Crossbody bag is a cute, zipped bag in 2 sizes, utilising webbing for the detachable strap. It has a zipped pocket on the outside and optional pockets inside. The same pattern can be used to make a bag orientated either vertically or horizontally, so there are plenty of options for variations. Use the smaller size as a handy dog walking bag, or the larger as a practical handbag.  If you find binding internal seams on a zip topped bag fiddly and unsatisfactory, this pattern has an alternative method which you may find easier! 

 Suitable for adventurous beginners/intermediate sewists:   Although not a complex bag, this style does require some fiddly stitchingaround corners. You should be able to confidently thread and use your sewing machine, change and use a zipper foot. 

 Material : For either size bag, you will need to bring a fat quarter of an outer fabric (bring more if you want to pattern match) and half a metre of a lining fabric. You should also bring 1.5m of coordinating webbing 38/40mm wide. 

  Typically Emma's courses run with 7 students.

Important information re: What to Bring to all Hole House Bag Making Courses:   Please bring your materials charge as detailed above. Students will each need to bring a sewing machine that is in good working order and with which they are familiar. Also, matching thread, fabric scissors, pins, ruler and a hand sewing needle are also helpful. You should also have a zipper foot for your machine in addition to a regular foot and you will need to know how to change your machine feet before you arrive. It's very important to be familiar with your machine and know how to thread it up/ change and refill the bobbin etc etc. before you arrive.

About the tutor  Anyone who loves textiles and handbags will already know Emma Redfern's very popular 'Hole House' facebook page and website from where she sells her wonderfully original, unique and quirky bags. With a background in art history and an interest in the Victorian Arts and Crafts movement, Emma believes that anyone can produce something beautiful and useful, given a little instruction and some inspiring fabric.

Living just a few miles away from Greystoke, in Cumbria's lovely northern fells, we're delighted to be welcoming Emma back to Quirky Workshops once more.

 Dates for each course - see the table below to book:

Fri 15th / Sat 15th March 2024        The 'Wendy' Crossbody Bag

 Fri  5th / Sat 6th July 2024              The Forager Bag 

  Fri 4th / Sat 5th Oct 2024               The Walton Tote Bag