Creative craft workshops in Plymouth - Blog #Quilting

Finding Joy in Making Again

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:42:33 +0000

Rediscover the simple pleasure of making. Whether you've been away from crafting for weeks or years, here's how to gently reconnect with your creativity without pressure or perfection.

Finding Your Way Back

There was probably a time when making felt completely natural.

Perhaps you knitted while watching television, spent evenings sewing, or always had a project waiting to be picked up whenever you had a spare hour.

Then life became busy.

Work, family, caring responsibilities, health or simply losing confidence can quietly push creativity into the background. Before you know it, your sewing machine hasn't been switched on for months, your knitting needles are tucked away in a cupboard and you start wondering if you'll ever get back to it.

The wonderful thing is this:

It's never too late to start making again.

You Don't Need to Pick Up Where You Left Off

One of the biggest barriers to returning to a hobby is believing you should still be as skilled as you once were.

The truth is, every maker has breaks.

Your first few stitches might feel unfamiliar. You may need to look up techniques you once knew by heart.

That's completely normal.

Instead of expecting perfection, give yourself permission to be a beginner again. You'll be surprised how quickly those familiar skills return.

Start Small

You don't need to make a quilt, knit a jumper or complete a complicated embroidery project on your first day back.

Choose something simple that you can enjoy.

That might be:

A small knitted coaster
A simple cushion cover
A few rows of crochet
A hand-embroidered bookmark
Mending something you already own

Small projects help rebuild confidence without feeling overwhelming.

Each completed project reminds you that you can make beautiful things.

Create a Calm Creative Space

You don't need a dedicated craft room.

A favourite chair, a small basket of supplies or a cleared corner of the dining table is enough.

Making becomes much easier when your materials are easy to reach and your workspace feels welcoming.

A cup of tea, some gentle music and twenty peaceful minutes can make all the difference.

Let Go of Perfection

Social media can sometimes make it feel as though every project has to be flawless.

Real making isn't like that.

Real projects include uneven stitches, wonky seams and the occasional mistake.

Those aren't failures.

They're signs that you're learning.

Every experienced maker has unpicked stitches, restarted projects and made things that didn't quite go to plan.

That's how confidence grows.

Make for the Joy of It

Not every project needs a purpose.

Sometimes it's enough to simply enjoy the process.

The rhythm of knitting.

The quiet focus of embroidery.

The satisfaction of matching fabric.

The gentle hum of a sewing machine.

Making gives us space to slow down, think differently and enjoy creating something with our own hands.

Celebrate Every Small Win

Finished projects are wonderful, but progress deserves celebrating too.

Celebrate:

Learning a new stitch
Finishing one section
Picking up your project after a long break
Trying something you've never attempted before
Simply making time for yourself

These moments are just as important as the finished piece.

Final Thoughts

Finding your way back to making isn't about creating perfect projects.

It's about rediscovering something that brings you calm, satisfaction and confidence.

Every project teaches you something new, and every stitch helps build your confidence.

Enjoy the journey, celebrate your progress and remember that the best project is the one that inspires you to keep making.

Essential Sewing Tools Every Beginner Needs

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:34:14 +0000

Starting to sew doesn't mean buying every gadget available. Discover the essential sewing tools that make both hand sewing and machine sewing easier, more enjoyable and far less frustrating.

Starting a new sewing hobby is exciting, but walking into a craft shop can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of tools, gadgets and accessories, all promising to make sewing easier.

The good news?

You don't need everything.

Whether you're interested in hand sewing, machine sewing or both, there are a handful of essential tools that will help you work more accurately, more comfortably and with much greater confidence.

Here are the sewing accessories worth investing in first.

A Good Pair of Fabric Scissors

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If you only buy one specialist tool, make it a good pair of fabric scissors.

Unlike household scissors, fabric scissors are designed to cut cleanly through fabric without snagging or pulling the fibres.

A sharp pair makes sewing far more enjoyable and helps produce neater results.

Top tip: Never use your fabric scissors on paper. Paper quickly dulls the blades, making fabric much harder to cut cleanly.

Small Thread Snips

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Thread snips quickly become one of the most-used tools in your sewing kit.

They're perfect for:

Trimming loose threads
Snipping thread tails
Cutting embroidery floss
Tidying finished projects

They're quicker than reaching for your large scissors every few minutes.

Pins and a Pin Cushion

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Pins hold fabric together while you sew, helping everything stay aligned.

Glass-headed pins are particularly useful because they can safely be ironed over if needed.

A simple pin cushion keeps everything organised and prevents lost pins disappearing into carpets!

Quilting Clips

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Clips have become incredibly popular and are a fantastic alternative to pins.

They're especially useful for:

Thick fabrics
Vinyl
Faux leather
Multiple fabric layers
Patchwork
Binding

Because they don't leave holes, many people prefer them for delicate fabrics too.

Measuring Tape

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A flexible measuring tape is essential for almost every sewing project.

You'll use it for:

Measuring fabric
Taking body measurements
Checking seam allowances
Measuring hems
Planning projects

Look for one with both centimetres and inches if you'll be using patterns from different countries.

Seam Ripper

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Every sewer—no matter how experienced—uses a seam ripper.

Mistakes happen.

The important thing is knowing they're completely normal.

A seam ripper lets you carefully remove stitches without damaging the fabric, making corrections quick and stress-free.

Many experienced sewists joke that it's their most-used sewing tool!

Hand Sewing Needles

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Even if you mainly use a sewing machine, hand sewing still plays an important role.

You'll often use needles for:

Sewing on buttons
Closing openings
Small repairs
Finishing details
Tacking pieces together

A mixed pack gives you a variety of sizes suitable for different fabrics.

Needle Threader

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Threading a needle isn't everyone's favourite job!

A simple needle threader costs very little but can save a lot of frustration, especially if you find threading fine needles difficult.

It's one of those little tools you'll wonder how you managed without.

Tailor's Chalk or Fabric Marker

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Being able to mark your fabric accurately makes sewing much easier.

You'll use it to:

Mark pattern pieces
Draw stitching lines
Transfer notches
Mark darts
Plan quilting or embroidery

Choose a marker that brushes away or washes out easily before using it on your finished project.

Iron and Ironing Surface

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This surprises many beginners.

The iron is one of the most important sewing tools you'll ever own.

Pressing seams as you work helps fabric sit flat, improves accuracy and gives projects a much more professional finish.

Many sewing problems disappear simply by pressing each step as you go.

Remember—press, don't iron. Lifting and pressing the iron rather than sliding it helps avoid stretching your fabric.

Storage Box or Sewing Basket

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Keeping your tools together means you're much more likely to enjoy sewing.

A sewing basket or storage box doesn't need to be expensive.

Simply having everything organised in one place makes it easier to start a project whenever inspiration strikes.

You Don't Need Everything At Once

One of the biggest misconceptions about sewing is that you need lots of equipment before you can begin.

In reality, a small collection of quality tools will take you a long way.

As your confidence grows, you'll naturally discover which additional accessories suit the types of projects you enjoy most.

Start simple.

Learn your tools.

Enjoy the process.

The rest can come later.

Final Thoughts

Every sewer starts with a simple collection of tools and a willingness to have a go. You don't need a room full of equipment or every new gadget to enjoy sewing.

Choose good-quality basics, add to your collection as your skills grow, and most importantly, give yourself permission to learn at your own pace.

After all, it's not about having the perfect sewing kit—it's about enjoying the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.

How To Choose Your First Sewing Machine

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:34:50 +0000

Everything you need to know before you buy your first machine

Buying your first sewing machine is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Walk into a sewing shop or browse online and you'll find hundreds of machines with dozens of different features, all claiming to be the perfect choice.

The good news is that you don't need an expensive machine to learn to sew.

In fact, many beginners are happier with a reliable, straightforward machine than one packed with features they'll never use.

This guide will help you understand what really matters so you can choose a sewing machine with confidence.

What Will You Be Sewing?

Before looking at machines, think about the projects you want to make.

Different machines suit different types of sewing.

🪡 Cushion covers and simple home projects
👗 Clothing and dressmaking
👜 Bags and accessories
🧸 Toys and gifts
🩳 Clothing alterations

For most beginners, a good general-purpose machine will comfortably handle all of these.

There's no need to specialise straight away.

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Don't Be Fooled By Hundreds of Stitch Options

One of the biggest marketing tricks is advertising machines with 150, 300 or even 500 stitches.

The truth?

Most sewists regularly use only a handful.

The stitches you'll use most are:

✔ Straight stitch
✔ Zigzag stitch
✔ Buttonhole stitch
✔ Stretch stitch (if sewing jersey fabrics)

Everything else is a bonus rather than a necessity.

If a machine has these stitches and does them well, you're already off to a great start.

Features Worth Paying For

Rather than lots of decorative stitches, look for features that genuinely make sewing easier.

Adjustable Stitch Length and Width

These allow you to adapt your stitching for different fabrics and projects.

Adjustable Needle Position

Helpful when inserting zips or topstitching.

Easy Bobbin Loading

A top-loading bobbin with a clear cover lets you quickly see when the thread is running low.

Reverse Stitch Lever

Essential for securing the beginning and end of your seams.

Good Lighting

Many modern machines include bright LED lights which make sewing much easier.

Free Arm

Perfect for sewing sleeves, cuffs and trouser legs.

Features You Can Ignore (For Now)

As a beginner, don't feel pressured into buying a machine because it has:

Hundreds of decorative stitches
Alphabet embroidery
Automatic thread cutting
Built-in memory
Fancy computer screens
Dozens of specialist presser feet

These can all be useful later, but they won't help you learn the basics.

Spend your budget on quality rather than gadgets.

Mechanical or Computerised?

This is a question many beginners ask.

Mechanical Machines

✅ Usually cheaper

✅ Simple to operate

✅ Easy to understand

✅ Excellent for learning

Computerised Machines

✅ More automated features

✅ Often quieter

✅ More stitch options

✅ Great once you know what you enjoy sewing

Neither is automatically better.

A good-quality mechanical machine is often the perfect place to begin.

Should You Buy A Cheaper Machine?

It can be tempting to buy the cheapest machine available.

Unfortunately, very low-cost machines can sometimes make learning harder because they may:

Skip stitches
Struggle with thicker fabrics
Feel less stable
Be difficult to adjust

You don't need to spend a fortune, but buying the best machine your budget comfortably allows is usually worthwhile.

A reliable machine will make sewing far more enjoyable.

New or Second-Hand?

A second-hand machine can be an excellent option.

Many older machines were built to last and still sew beautifully today.

If buying used:

✔ Ask to see it sewing.

✔ Check that accessories are included.

✔ Make sure replacement parts are still available.

✔ If possible, buy from a reputable sewing machine dealer rather than an unknown online seller.

Don't Forget the Extras

Whichever machine you choose, you'll also need a few essentials:

🧵 Good quality thread
✂️ Fabric scissors
📌 Pins or sewing clips
📏 Tape measure
🪡 Spare machine needles
🧺 A seam ripper (everyone needs one!)

These simple tools will have a much bigger impact on your sewing than hundreds of decorative stitches.

Our Advice

If you're buying your first sewing machine, keep it simple.

Choose a machine that:

✔ Is easy to use
✔ Feels sturdy
✔ Comes from a reputable manufacturer
✔ Has good reviews
✔ Includes the basic stitches you'll actually use

Remember, it's your skills—not the price of your machine—that create beautiful projects.

The best sewing machine is the one that helps you enjoy sewing and encourages you to keep making.

Ready to Start Sewing?

Here at RE Treats, our beginner sewing workshops are designed to help you build confidence from your very first stitch.

Whether you've just bought your first machine or are wondering how to use one that's been sitting in a cupboard for years, we'll guide you through everything step by step in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Happy sewing! 🧵✨

🧵 Browse Workshops