General Sewing - Christmas Craft One Day Workshop

Join us for a joyful day of stitching, where you’ll create beautiful handmade projects that are perfect for gifting — or keeping! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned sewist, you’ll choose from a range of festive projects to suit your skill level, from eco-friendly fabric gift bags and charming Christmas stockings to elegant table décor and quilted food carriers.

Workshop Goals

• Participants complete at least one finished project to take home.
• Choice of projects for different skill levels
• Mix of practical + decorative items (gift-worthy).
• Add trims, embroidery, appliqué, or personalisation (names/monograms).

 Project Breakdown

1. Fabric Gift Bags (Beginner)

Simple and practical straight-sewing project: reusable gift packaging or Mini tote bags or wine bottle carriers perfect as wrapping for the receiver to keep and reuse as an eco-friendly alternative to wrapping paper  Upgrade: add applique or contrast lining.

You will need: at least 30cm of fabric, double that if you are lining the bag. Elastic or braided woven drawstring or soft rope/cord or ribbon or extra 5cm fabric to make drawstring. Matching thread and sewing kit

2. Table décor: placemats, coasters, napkins, or table runners with festive fabrics. (Beginner/intermediate)

Simple straight-sewing project where you will learn how to make clean and nicely finished corners.  Upgrade: Learn mitred 45degree corners, add applique or contrast edge to the runner.

You will need: the length of your table of fabric, any excess fabric could be used to make matching placemats, coasters, napkins etc. For placemats and coasters you will need 20-30cm medium weight interfacing (aka iron-on interfacing). Matching thread and sewing kit

3. Christmas Stocking (Intermediate)

Lined stocking with loop with option for cuff, trim, applique shapes. Upgrade: applique front panel, applique star, or name embroidery.

You will need: approx 50-70cm fabric depending on the size of your stocking. Jumbo size may need over 100cm. Any trims such as fur and ribbons. Medium weight interfacing (aka iron-on interfacing). Matching thread and sewing kit

4. Quilted food carrier (Advanced)

This convenient food carrier features straps that allow you to carry your gifting food to another occasion. Transport your salad or slow cooked dish in style! Pattern provided in class

You will need: approx 50-70cm fabric. Any trims such as ribbons. Medium weight interfacing (aka iron-on interfacing). Matching thread and sewing kit

Upgrade: quilting, or hand embroidery accents. Piping, will require piping foot and piping cord and precut bias binding

5. Quick Makes

• Fabric ornaments (stars, hearts, trees, Aussie animals).
• Festive bunting/garlands (fabric flags, mini stockings, or felt shapes strung together).
• Reusable Christmas crackers (fabric tubes that can be filled each year).
• Pillow covers (with festive motifs or patchwork stars/trees).

• Keychains or little pouches (stocking-stuffer sized).
• Fabric Christmas cards (small embroidered/appliqué panels attached to cardstock

• Mini hand warmers/heat packs. You will need rice or wheat to fill your bags
• Scrunchies or hair bows in festive fabric. You will need elastic for scrunchies or Clips for bows

What to Bring:

• Fabric: Christmas cottons, linen, festive prints, plain solids.
• Notions: ribbon, bias binding, zippers, velcro, elastic, trims, lace.
• Stuffing: toy fill or rice/flaxseed (for heat packs).
• Patterns/Templates: printed and ready to trace or cut.
• Sewing kit: scissors, rulers, pins, chalk, threads Optional rotary cutter, cutting mats, your own sewing machine

✨ By the end of the day, everyone will have: ✨

• At least one main project finished.
• Optional small extras if they’re speedy.

Skills in seams, lining, embellishment, and personalisation

About the Trainer

With over 20 years of experience in the Australian fashion industry, Pippa May brings a deep and diverse knowledge of garment construction and design. Her background spans from small fashion businesses to some of the country’s most prestigious fashion houses.

Pippa’s expertise covers a wide range of techniques—from couture finishing and tailoring to working with leather, swimwear, and specialty fabrics. In her classes, she shares practical methods for construction, guides you in selecting suitable materials, and offers tailored advice for correcting fit and refining your sewing skills.

Known for her easygoing communication style and sharp eye for detail, Pippa combines a love for textiles with a results-driven teaching approach. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to level up your skills, you’ll benefit from her supportive, hands-on guidance.