Upcoming Classes & Groups

Wednesdays are a Sit & Sew opportunity. Most Wednesdays throughout the year this group meets to catch up and enjoy their sewing home away from home. The only weeks we don’t meet are early January, the first week of school holidays or the last weeks of December each year. 

This is a great group, the regular girls have been meeting for many years, almost ten now I think! The girls sew anything and everything and sometimes don’t sew at all. It’s not a formal class with tuition. Just a lovely relaxing sit and sew! A chance to concentrate on your work for a day or to chat and meet other happy quilters. Whilst there is a core group who come regularly they are very welcoming of newcomers to the area or occasional visitors to Berry. 

Maybe you are quilter on the road who woful like to stop and sew with company for a day? The girls would love to hear about your adventures and see what you’re making! Maybe you’re a Shoalhaven local who would like some occasional company? Well you are very welcome to book in and join us.  If needed, we have machines to hire.  Machine hire is $10 per day and hirers must provide their own quality thread.

Cost is $20 per person per session. Includes morning tea and all day tea & coffee.

You can book by phone by calling the shop ph 4464 3387 or via our website. When tickets are available an ‘add to cart’ button will appear at the bottom right of this listing. Click on that and follow the prompts to book and pay via the website. Make sure you are on the listing for the correct date that you want before clicking ‘add to cart’. 

A usual Wednesday suspect: Mardi our super finisher!

Another Regular: Lee-Anne finishing her 30 year old candle wicking project!

The Wednesday Core: Ready to welcome you!

All busy Sewing!

The Wednesday Women in the newly renovated classroom April 18

Mary Showing off a pieced quilt back.

Sue & Mardi enjoying a joke, probably at my expense…

Wednesday Women Xmas Parties in the old shop.

You must book in if this class sounds like it’s for you!

To Book: Scroll to end of listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’  Once it’s added to your cart make sure you are booking the correct date. Then follow the prompts to make payment. 

These sessions are for any of you who need a bit of extra assistance. From the total beginner or newbie patchworker to the rusty maker who has forgotten everything.  Or even the experienced dressmaker or home decor sewist who wants to have a go at patchwork but doesn’t know where to begin.

Maybe you are half way through the project and can’t remember where you’re up to. Maybe you’d like to begin to sew or quilt but don’t know where to start or what equipment to use. Maybe you’ve never stitched anything at all…. Well we can help you out in this session.

If you would like to make a basic couch quilt, a baby quilt or small sewing project but don’t know where to begin we can get you started. You can make cushions, bags, placemats or just learn the basics of rotary cutting and patchwork stitching equipment and terms.

The class is taken by Shop Owner Sharon Thomson who loves to see people learn new things and discover new skills. Sharon is very patient with timid beginners. She is can help those of you who want to learn some skills and then have a go at designing your own work in a supportive environment.  Sharon specialises in help with UFOs. Especially puzzling through projects half-made with patterns or fabric requirements lost or not working out. Sharon has had many students who have an idea of the quilts they want to make but cannot find a pattern. If this is you, Sharon will help you design your quilt and work out fabric quantities. 

There is no need to lock in for a term or even to come for the whole day so they are perfect for busy people. It is suitable for casual attendance or regular class members but is limited to 4 in class only.  This small class size is so that people are able to have individual attention as needed and it is not an overwhelming prospect to join in for the first time.

You will need to book and pay in advance, at least two days prior to class to ensure that there is availability in the classroom. This class does often book out so please phone in advance. I provide morning and afternoon teas and all day beverages. Gluten free catered for. Class members BYO lunch or visit a nearby café.

Costs

Full Day Classroom Access :: 10am – 3pm 5 hours -$60pp Bookable via this web listing. 

Half Day Classroom Access :: 10am – 12pm OR 1pm – 3pm Up to 2 Hours $40pp Please phone the store to book a half day. 

Fine Print:

ALWAYS check availability of a class in advance by phoning the shop. Classes depend on student and teacher availability. Classes are for patchwork and quilting style projects. Simple dressmaking and some soft furnishings and bag projects could also be undertaken. This class is not for sophisticated dressmaking, tailoring or drapery. Occasionally there will be a substitute teacher (our trusted side-kick and regular Berry teacher Helen Draper) when Sharon is unavailable. 

Places are limited Bookings are necessary. All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions

TO BOOK ONLINE: Scroll to end of listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’  Then follow the prompts to make payment.  Before adding to cart please make sure you are booking the correct date.  Alternatively, book by phoning the shop ph 4464 3387.

Helen Draper’s classes are running every month in 2020. The class runs on the third Thursday of each month (except April because of easter – Date of Class is April 26th) and is the perfect low stress place to build up some traditional patchwork and quilting skills. Participants in Helen’s classes are all working on their own projects at their own pace so you are able to join Helen’s class at any point in the year, subject to availability. Helen is a delightful and relaxed teacher who enjoys getting to know her class members and sharing her love of hand stitching, fabric and quilt design. You can learn to hand quilt, to hand piece quilt blocks using templates or work step by step though a quilt design of Helen’s own. 

Helen’s love is hand stitching! In this class Helen is able to teach you traditional or modern hand quilting techniques. By this, we mean the actual quilting stitches that hold the three layers:, top, wadding and backing together. Helen can show you anything from the very traditional ’10 stitches to an inch’ elegant hand quilting using a waxed thread for heirloom quilts to the ‘big stitch’ colourful quilting using thicker perle threads for a more modern or rustic effect. This style of quilting has become very popular lately. Once upon a time a quilt was either entirely hand quilted or entirely machine quilted but these days it is not uncommon for quilts to be machine quilted and accents added by hand in certain areas. 

You can begin by bringing in an already made and sandwiched quilt. Helen can work you though ideas for quilting it and ways to mark out your designs and get you started. Alternatively, you could start with a cushion sized sampler or a piece of plain fabric to get the knack before you go on to another larger project. Helen teaches a method of hand quilting using a quilt hoop but you are also able to work without one if you prefer. You will learn methods for marking quilt designs on your quilt and you’ll cover threads, needles and the types of designs that are appropriate for your quilt.

You are also able to learn to stitch quilt blocks together by hand in this class. We call this hand piecing. When hand piecing, the block is cut out, seam allowances are marked and it is then stitched together by hand rather than machine. It is often a geometrically pieced traditional block. There are a few tips and tricks to learn to make your patchwork durable and accurate and there are a few ways to incorporate templates when making multiple blocks that are all the same but once learnt, you will be able to make anything any time with only a pencil, ruler, scissors, needle and thread. It’s a very portable technique to know. You can learn hand piecing by making one of Helen’s original quilt designs pictured below or by progressing block by block through a range of traditional designs ending up with a ‘sampler’ quilt.

Many of the participants in Helen’s classes have come along as beginners to learn one of the techniques discussed above and end up staying on because they fall in love with one of Helen’s quilt designs. We have a number of Helen’s completed quilts in the shop to show you some alternatives. As an advanced or intermediate quilter you are able to join Helen’s class to get a kick start on any of her original projects that are listed in her Patchwork Bliss web shop. You can purchase the pattern from Helen’s website or let us know when enrolling which quilt you like and we will organise for Helen to bring the pattern with her to class. As with all our classes you can book in as a regular class member or you are able to dip in here and there as space permits. You can see if spaces are available for casual class members at the end of this entry, where it will allow you to add the class to your cart if there is space. If you would like to book for more than one month, click through the calendar to the next month and add that class to your cart as well.

Lastly, while Helen loves to hand stitch she knows that many of you don’t! So most of her patterns are adaptable for machine and you are able to learn by machine in Helen’s class. Make sure you make contact with us to discuss what you’d like to do if you’re unsure.

Places are limited. Bookings are necessary. All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions

Helen Draper Quilting Teacher

The very popular Feeling Groovy Quilt. This quilt can be made with crazy florals and looks just as good made with totally random scraps

Close up of the Perle 8 hand quilting on Shadowplay

A close up of the ‘Big Stitch’ quilting on Feeling Groovy

Helen with Bedazzled patterns

Helen's Fanciful quilt, featured in the Quilters' Companion Magazine has been a popular one to make.

Helen’s interesting Gone Troppo Quilt close up.

This is the versatile Berry Bliss Quilt. This quilt can be customised a number of ways and features some interesting techniques.

Sheena Chapman joins us for two classes a month.  One is on the first Friday of each month and one on the Second Saturday of each month. (NOTE: Check Saturday class dates occasionally one falls on a different Saturday on the month)  

Sheena is a very prolific maker, bringing in to class inspiring new quilts every month! She’s also a collector -so be prepared to see many vintage gems that she’s had in her stash for years or that she has just picked up at the op shop this week!

Sheena’s quilts are a fantastic blend of old and new, traditional and improv. We call it ‘Inspired Improv’. Sheena’s quilts are refreshingly colourful, fun and fast to make. Some quilts are Sheena’s contemporary take on a vintage quilt from her collection and some quilts are designed in response to the fabric she’s working with.  Once you see them you will be dying to make them all!!

Sheena has a number of improvisational techniques that she characteristically employs in her quilts and you will learn these in class. Once you’ve mastered these you can go on to create your own ‘Inspired Improv’ heirlooms. Another feature of Sheena’s quilts is the exciting use of big pieces, large borders and panels that help a quilt grow quickly in size. Sheena also employs special, sometimes unorthodox, time saving techniques that all total fabric addicts will appreciate.

Participants in Sheena’s classes usually work on one of Sheena’s quilts in class at their own pace with Sheena’s guidance. You may choose from any of Sheena’s quilts that you have seen on display in the store or here on the website. It usually takes two or three months to complete a quilt depending on how fast you like to work. 

Sheena specialises in helping you choose fabric combinations that really emphasise your ‘hero’ or favourite prints or special vintage yardage. You will learn how to mix your vintage scraps and treasures with your modern stash and make your own unique quilts with a vintage twist! In this class, the classroom is festooned with design walls so everyone can see their creation taking place life-sized in front of them.

The class is suitable for confident beginners who have probably made a few quilts before, know their equipment pretty well and are exuberant with fabric and happy to ‘throw caution to the wind’ in persuit of a lively one-of-a-kind scrappy quilt. The quilts are machine pieced so bring along your machine, cutting equipment and plenty of scraps. You’ll be inspired not just by Sheena but by what everyone else is making in class. If you are a complete beginner talk to us about coming to an other session before hand so you’re not thrown in the deep end. 

Whilst most people book into Sheena’s class on a yearly basis (and access a generous Enrolled Class member discount) it is possible to book in for one or two casual classes (where vacancies exist) to explore a new technique or to begin an ongoing project.  Sheena’s classes are popular. Casual places, if available, may be booked by phone or via this listing: Scroll to end of the listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’  Once it’s added to your cart make sure you are booking the correct date. Then follow the prompts to make payment. 

Places are limited Bookings are necessary. All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Sheena Chapman helping Dianne with her quilt.

Sheena Chapman and Mary Lawler discuss colour.

Sheena Chapman Goodnight Moon Quilt

Sheena Chapman Rainbow Chevron Quilt

Sheena’s ‘Sunday Best’ by Mary Lawler

Sheena Chapman’s Sunday Best Quilt

Sheena Chapman Bloomingdales Quilt

Sheena Chapman Improv Medallion Quilt

Sheena Chapman Perforation Quilt

Sheena Chapman in class showing off her Jungle Fever quilt.

Sheena Chapman’s ‘State Fair’ quilt built around the great piece of vintage purple carnival fabric!

Jungle Fever Quilt by Sheena Chapman

Wednesdays are a Sit & Sew opportunity. Most Wednesdays throughout the year this group meets to catch up and enjoy their sewing home away from home. The only weeks we don’t meet are early January, the first week of school holidays or the last weeks of December each year. 

This is a great group, the regular girls have been meeting for many years, almost ten now I think! The girls sew anything and everything and sometimes don’t sew at all. It’s not a formal class with tuition. Just a lovely relaxing sit and sew! A chance to concentrate on your work for a day or to chat and meet other happy quilters. Whilst there is a core group who come regularly they are very welcoming of newcomers to the area or occasional visitors to Berry. 

Maybe you are quilter on the road who woful like to stop and sew with company for a day? The girls would love to hear about your adventures and see what you’re making! Maybe you’re a Shoalhaven local who would like some occasional company? Well you are very welcome to book in and join us.  If needed, we have machines to hire.  Machine hire is $10 per day and hirers must provide their own quality thread.

Cost is $20 per person per session. Includes morning tea and all day tea & coffee.

You can book by phone by calling the shop ph 4464 3387 or via our website. When tickets are available an ‘add to cart’ button will appear at the bottom right of this listing. Click on that and follow the prompts to book and pay via the website. Make sure you are on the listing for the correct date that you want before clicking ‘add to cart’. 

A usual Wednesday suspect: Mardi our super finisher!

Another Regular: Lee-Anne finishing her 30 year old candle wicking project!

The Wednesday Core: Ready to welcome you!

All busy Sewing!

The Wednesday Women in the newly renovated classroom April 18

Mary Showing off a pieced quilt back.

Sue & Mardi enjoying a joke, probably at my expense…

Wednesday Women Xmas Parties in the old shop.

You must book in if this class sounds like it’s for you!

TO BOOK ONLINE: Scroll to end of listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’ Then follow the prompts to make payment. Before adding to cart please make sure you are booking for the correct date. Alternatively, book by phoning the shop ph 4464 3387.

Popular teacher Jennifer Corkish teaches all her techniques in two classes a month. These take place regularly on the first Saturday of each month and the Fourth Thursday of each month. Jennifer comes along to each class with new quilts and projects she has designed: from her own take on the popular Japanese Boro technique to applique, English paper piecing, wool applique and stitch embellishment and more…!

Jennifer has been a teacher at Berry Quilt & Co. since we opened and also taught for approximately six years at Berry Patchwork prior to that. Jennifer has built up a number of regular students who have been coming to her classes and making her quilts ever since she began teaching in Berry which is quite a recommendation! Please click through to her teacher profile to read more about Jennifer’s making and teaching experience.

Whilst most people book in to Jennifer’s class on a yearly basis (and access a generous Enrolled Class member discount) it is possible to book in for one or two casual classes (where vacancies exist) to explore a new technique or to begin an ongoing project. You can see if places are available at the end of this entry, where it will allow you to add the class to your cart if there is space. If you would like to book for more than one month, click through the class calendar to the next month and add that class to your cart as well.

The class has a loose relaxed structure where regular participants work on Jennifer’s original designs at their own pace and build up skills as they progress though the projects. Usually in class all the participants are working different projects and often on more than one project at once. Occasionally, after a number of projects have been completed, class members have requested that Jennifer help them design a unique project, which Jennifer is happy to work on with the student, making it a very personalised class.

Casual or beginner participants in Jennifer’s classes often attend to learn Japanese Boro stitching. Pictured below, Boro is a traditional Japanese mending technique utilising layered scraps of material and sashiko style running stitches to hold it all together. Jennifer has devised a method of making boro fabric suitable for our modern fabrics and equipment for use in quilts, bags, table runners, clothing etc.

Teaching applique using the ‘stay in’ Hugs ‘n Kisses Applique paper is also a specialty of Jennifer’s. Beginners can start with one of the blocks from Jennifer’s well known Flower’s & Urn Quilt, pictured below is an excellent place to start and this block has been made in so many different color combinations from bright, to Japanese to traditional and reproduction. Begin in one lesson with the starter block and turn it into a wall hanging or cushion OR go on to continue to make the whole quilt. The centre medallion from the Purity quilt is another good place to start and appliqué project. 

English paper piecing has featured in many of Jennifer’s quilts over the years and you could begin a project Making Jennifer’s fussy cut crosses quilt or a Jennifer’s strip hexagon quilt that gets you started with hexagons without you having to make the whole quilt top from hexagons.

Working with stitch embellishment is also a forte of Jennifer’s. From helping you begin a Japanese Sashiko stitching panel or to make your appliqué designs from wool felt, everything is a vehicle for stitch embellishment. Have a look through the images below for ideas of where Jennifer’s class could lead you. 

You will find plenty of helpful advice, skills and friendship in this lively class. Jennifer is very good at getting you started on a project and helping you with fabric selection and requirements. All of Jennifer’s students produce quite different and unique results. I’m always amazed at how differently the same quilts can turn out with different fabric choices. As a teacher Jennifer is very open to working with your fabric choices and helping you get the best results from what you begin with. She has also taken people from beginning to the end of complicated projects not designed by Jennifer. For example: The Dear Jane Quilt by Jane A Stickle,  the Mrs Billings Coverlet by Karen Styles or the Towns and Trailblazers Quilt by Jennifer Wulff . If any of these quilts appeal to you and you wanted assistance to select a colour palette and get started you could start and continue to work on one of those projects in Jennifer’s class as long as you have purchased your own copy of the relevant pattern or book.

Jennifer’s groups are very popular and are often booked out! Casual places, if available, may be booked by phone or via this listing: Scroll to end of the listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’  Once it’s added to your cart make sure you are booking the correct date. Then follow the prompts to make payment.  

Places are limited Bookings are necessary. All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Jennifer Corkish Quilt Teacher in Class at Berry Quilt & Co. with two of her projects

Jennifer Corkish ‘Purity’. A small quilt perfect for learning Jennifer’s Appliqué Techniques.

A great photo of Janice in class with Jennifer Corkish. This shot shows the applique block in progress, the sample Bright Block and larger quilt of Jennifer’s design by Mary behind her.

Jennifer Corkish Quilt Teacher in class with her Japanese inspired work.

Design Process for the Painted Palace applique Quilt

The new Painted Palace Quilt in progress. This one by Noelene, Inspired by wall motifs at an Indian place.

Girls in Jen’s Sat class working hard!

Jen with Rhonda’s nearly done Strippy Hexagon EPP quilt.

 

Melissa’s amazing bright felt embellished updated ‘Sarah Evans’ quilt designed by Jennifer

Ari’s ‘mini’ Garden Fantasy quilt designed by Jennifer

Garden Fantasy by Jennifer with Judges commendation at the Sydney Quilt Show

The Towns and Trailblazers Quilt by Jen Wulff with design assistance by Jen Corkish

Jennifer’s Birdbath Quilt in progress.

The Bright Block a good starter project.

A bright colourway of Flowers and Urns by Janice with ‘Bright Block’ in centre. 

Kerrie’s Japanese Inspired Flowers and Urns

Judy’s soft and pretty Purity

The Japanese tile inspired table runner EPP project in two colourways.

Mrs Billings Coverlet by class member Joanne Pollard

Joanne’s Amazing Dear Jane Quilt

Wednesdays are a Sit & Sew opportunity. Most Wednesdays throughout the year this group meets to catch up and enjoy their sewing home away from home. The only weeks we don’t meet are early January, the first week of school holidays or the last weeks of December each year. 

This is a great group, the regular girls have been meeting for many years, almost ten now I think! The girls sew anything and everything and sometimes don’t sew at all. It’s not a formal class with tuition. Just a lovely relaxing sit and sew! A chance to concentrate on your work for a day or to chat and meet other happy quilters. Whilst there is a core group who come regularly they are very welcoming of newcomers to the area or occasional visitors to Berry. 

Maybe you are quilter on the road who woful like to stop and sew with company for a day? The girls would love to hear about your adventures and see what you’re making! Maybe you’re a Shoalhaven local who would like some occasional company? Well you are very welcome to book in and join us.  If needed, we have machines to hire.  Machine hire is $10 per day and hirers must provide their own quality thread.

Cost is $20 per person per session. Includes morning tea and all day tea & coffee.

You can book by phone by calling the shop ph 4464 3387 or via our website. When tickets are available an ‘add to cart’ button will appear at the bottom right of this listing. Click on that and follow the prompts to book and pay via the website. Make sure you are on the listing for the correct date that you want before clicking ‘add to cart’. 

A usual Wednesday suspect: Mardi our super finisher!

Another Regular: Lee-Anne finishing her 30 year old candle wicking project!

The Wednesday Core: Ready to welcome you!

All busy Sewing!

The Wednesday Women in the newly renovated classroom April 18

Mary Showing off a pieced quilt back.

Sue & Mardi enjoying a joke, probably at my expense…

Wednesday Women Xmas Parties in the old shop.

You must book in if this class sounds like it’s for you!