Upcoming Classes & Groups

TO BOOK ONLINE: Scroll to end of listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’ Then follow the prompts to make payment.  Alternatively, book by phoning the shop ph 4464 3387

Inspired by the availability of a prestencilled fabric with nothing but a dot printed on it Sharon set out to discover what one-stitch or Hitomezashi stitching was all about. By trial and error, an bit of reading (thanks Susan Briscoe) and a bit of cooling Sharon worked out how the designs were formed. Each intricate stitch pattern is formed by a simple Sashiko or running stitch excecuted in particular patterns first on the horizontal and then the pattern is made when stitching through the vertical. Clear as mud? Well come along to class and we will explain further. 

Learn about the clever ways to make Japanese geometric stitch designs using nothing but fabric printed with an even grid of dots and a simple running stitch. Stitching one running stitch combination on the x axis and a different combination in the y axis yields surprising and effective patterns. Turn your samples into coasters, a table runner or sash them, piece them and turn them into a quilt project. 

The class is suitable for any one who can hold a large embroidery needle and manage a running stitch. 

$120 pp includes all materials needed and a set of pattern sheets. Join us for a relaxing day of stitching and prepare for your mind to be blown by the possibilities of the humble stitch. 

Read more about the Japan in Berry event at out blog listing.  

 

Sharon with examples of Hitomezashi Stitching

 

 

An example of Hitomezashi Stitching. Learn this and many other patterns with Sharon Thomson.

 

Another example of Hitomezashi Stitching. Learn this and many other patterns with Sharon Thomson.

 

Hitomezashi Stitches made in class with the author and teacher Susan Briscoe

To book phone us 4464 3387 or scroll down to the bottom of the listing and click to ‘add to cart’. If tickets are sold out please contact us to be waitlisted. Occasionally places do pop up again.

We are very excited to have Shuji and Alison Yamazaki from Wabi Sabi Designs here with us for our very special Japan in Berry Event. Read more about the weekend event and how it came to be on our blog post here. 

During the class, students will learn what really “BORO” means and aspects of Japanese hand stitchings.  We will also talk about how traditional Japanese bags can be made in modern style during the class. A kit of all vintage and antique fabrics, cord and threads which shoji has personally sourced in Japan are included in the class fee. This is a wonderful slow, creative stitching day, no machines are needed as all the stitching is done by hand. 

Komebukuro were traditionally used in Japan to carry rice offerings to the temple during important religious ceremonies, and at other times to hold a gift destined for a dear friend or relative connected to a significant personal event. Once you learn to make the Komebukuro you could make many to hold your precious gifts as you give them away.

Class runs from 10am – 4pm each day with a one hour lunch break. 

COVID 19 DETAILS: The workshop will take place in the Uniting Church Hall at 70 Albert Street Berry, across the road from our shop, also in Albert Street. Places are limited due to social distancing. We will organise the hall so that everyone has a 1.5m space and is not sitting all day directly across from anyone else. We will encourage anyone experiencing cold or flu symptoms not to come and will offer a store credit if they can not attend at the last minute or a full refund if we are prevented form running the event due to covid 19 related cancellation reasons.

We will encourage participants to wear masks and will have sanitising equipment onsite but it is up to you to assess your personal comfort zone in this situation. We will do what we can to be sensible and provide a cleaned space but we can obviously NOT guarantee 100% risk free environment.

The Komebukuro Rice Bag you can learn with Shuji of Wabi Sabi Designs

Top of the Rice Bag you will make.

The Hand stitched Rice Bag you will make

 

Alison and Shuji Yamazaki of Wabi Sabi Designs

TO BOOK ONLINE: Scroll to end of listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’ Then follow the prompts to make payment.  Alternatively, book by phoning the shop ph 4464 3387.

Popular teacher Jennifer Corkish teaches two classes a month at Berry Quilt & Co. Many of her projects feature extensive hand embellishment or stitch work and because of that she has been drawn to adapting the richly textured Japanese Boro technique in her work. A trip to Japan in 2019 only fuelled her love of distinctive and beautiful Japanese textiles. We have asked her to teach a special class at our Japan in Berry Event to share that love with you. Read more about the event at out blog listing.  

In class you will learn Jennifer’s technique for making pieces of heavily stitched and embellished ‘boro’ fabric with the idea that you will turn it into a table runner or similar. The kit included in your class fee contains plenty of Japanese fabric scraps, threads, needles and stabiliser to achieve Jennifer’s look. There will be plenty of inspiration around in all the displays of Japanese inspired work for you to get some idea of what to do with your boro once you’ve made it if a table runner isn’t for you. 

It is a relaxing fun day with an inspiring and knowledgable teacher. The class is suitable for beginners or anyone who has not had much experience stitching at all. The techniques aren’t difficult and you don’t need any complicated equipment besides scissors, needle, thread and a little time on the couch to stitch. 

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. She 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 as she is coming up to having taught with us for more than ten years! ! Please click through to her teacher profile to read more about Jennifer’s making and teaching experience.

Teacher Jennifer Corkish with some of her wonderful Japanese inspired work begins her.

A quilt by Faye Ison made with Jennifer featuring Boro Stitching ‘blocks’

Boro Table Runner by Jennifer Corkish as featured in Quilter’s Companion

 

One half of Jennifer’s Table Runner

The Second half of Jennifer’s Table Runner

The cover of Quilters Companion where Jennifer’s boro table runner was featured

A stitch book by Many Lawler made with Jennifer featuring beautiful Japanese fabrics embellished with stitch

To book phone us 4464 3387 or scroll down to the bottom of the listing and click to ‘add to cart’. If tickets are sold out please contact us to be waitlisted. Occasionally places do pop up again.

We are very excited to have Shuji and Alison Yamazaki from Wabi Sabi Designs here with us for our very special Japan in Berry Event. Read more about the weekend event and how it came to be on our blog post here. 

Join us for two days of indigo dying with Shuji and Alison. Shuji teaches many methods of traditional Japanese dying in a traditional natural indigo vat. Participants will learn how natural indigo is made in Japan and ten or more shibori dying techniques.  You will also learn what you can make in your future projects (bags and quilt tops etc) with indigo dyed materials. Shuji is very experienced teaching this workshop and participants will encounter a wide range of exciting and repeatable creative techniques. 

The cost for the weekend includes a kit of 1 x cotton handkerchief (45cm square), 2 x soft sarashi cotton scarves (36cm x 160cm), and 1 x linen and rayon blend scarf (45cm x 200cm). Plus 2m of PFD fabric for the second day. (PFD means prepared for dying)There is no need to bring any thing special. Just a walk in and enjoy the workshop. Everyone will have free access to natural indigo vats, aprons, gloves, irons + ironing boards and resists (clamps, wood resists, PVC pipes, marbles, rubber bands, Arimatsu shibori threads, needles and scissors).

Please note though that participants MAY NOT bring their own materials for dyeing through out the weekend as we cannot guarantee the results. Your fees include plenty of material to dye and if you need more, more is available to purchase. Towards the end of the workshop you may have a chance to dye some small samples of your own material for testing. 

The $300 cost is for the two days of tuition. We can not give a discount for only one days participation. If you wish to attend for one day only it will still cost $300. It is not possible to begin the workshop on the Sunday. Class runs from 10am – 4pm each day with a one hour lunch break. 

COVID 19 DETAILS: The workshop will take place in the Uniting Church Hall at 70 Albert Street Berry, across the road from our shop, also in Albert Street. Places are limited due to social distancing. We will organise the hall so that everyone has a 1.5m space and is not sitting all day directly across from anyone else. We will encourage anyone experiencing cold or flu symptoms not to come and will offer a store credit if they can not attend at the last minute or a full refund if we are prevented form running the event due to covid 19 related cancellation reasons.

We will encourage participants to wear masks and will have sanitising equipment onsite but it is up to you to assess your personal comfort zone in this situation. We will do what we can to be sensible and provide a cleaned space but we can obviously NOT guarantee 100% risk free environment.

Shuji Yamazaki with lots of wonderful shibori and other traditional dying techniques.

Indigo Shibori Dyed fabrics by Shuji & Alison of Wabi Sabi Designs

Shuji Yamazaki pulling a piece out of the indigo dye bath.

 

Alison and Shuji Yamazaki of Wabi Sabi Designs

TO BOOK ONLINE: Scroll to end of listing and click on ‘ADD TO CART’ Then follow the prompts to make payment.  Alternatively, book by phoning the shop ph 4464 3387

Following a trip to Japan in 2019 your teacher Sharon, owner of Berry Quilt & Co, was inspired by the high profile bag section of the Tokyo Quilt Show to make more bags and to make bags that had very special elements or embellishment. One of the bags she tried was the Raindrop Bag which appealed because of its sweet shape, simple but clever construction and possibilities to feature pieced or stitched sections. It turned out to be a great bag to teach having some clever but manageable construction techniques that could be adapted to other larger or differently shaped bags. 

This is a great bag to carry your latest knitting or stitching project or a great handbag. It’s nice and deep (measuring approx 30cm wide x 45cm deep) and opens wide enough to fit a number of objects but the two handles grasped together keep your contents secure. Make it from your favourite fabrics taking the opportunity to choose fun combinations of contrasting handles and linings or bring some pre stitched work to make an even more specially embellished bag.

$100 includes bag pattern and some of the supplies, you’ll just need to bring your machine and your chosen fabrics. Requirements will be provided on booking. The class is suitable for any one who can use their sewing machine to sew straight stitches and who can manage scissors to cut out their fabrics. 

Read more about the Japan in Berry event at out blog listing.  

Teacher Sharon Thomson with a stitched version of the Raindrop bag.

 

Leanne and Carol with Japanese inspired bags. Carol’s bag on right is the Boro embellished Olympus Raindrop Bag.

The Olympus Raindrop bag. This one made with fabric that imitates stitching.

The Olympus Raindrop bag by Bebe Bold. This one made with pre stitched fabric.

 

A great version of the Raindrop Bag with a boro front panel by Carol Culey

The back of Carol’s raindrop bag featuring some Sashiko stitching