Want to start making your own clothes, but have no idea where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
If you're like me, you might have spent hours watching sewing tutorials on Youtube. Maybe you bought some exciting, new fabric for a special project? Fast forward six hours and you're hitting a sewing machine over the head with a pair of massive scissors (trust me, the struggle was real!)
But did you know Bristol has dozens of experiences where you can show up and be taught how to sew by an expert? You can find sewing lessons, jewellery-making lessons, silk painting workshops, and so much more right here in Bristol. You'll know how to make your own clothes before summer's out!
- Make your own statement summer jewellery from jesmonite
- Sew a summer dress, sunhat and tote bag from linen
- Make your own leather bag, trainers or cute clog sandals
- Create a printed tote bag with real flowers
- Design and make a scarf with batik dyes
- Sew your own easy summer sundress from scratch
- Learn hand-embroidery and decorate your clothes
Nothing beats hands-on expert help when you are trying to make something new, and there are so many interesting creators in Bristol just itching to get you started! Have stand-out, sustainable, and totally unique wardrobe pieces that will have compliments piling up. And you get to learn a new skill and hobby- win-win!
Have you ever tried making summer clogs in a day? How about creating your own pair of statement earrings?
Bristol has some incredible fabric shops and craft shops so you can start making your own wardrobe straight away. I would recommend you visit Flo-Jo Fabrics on Gloucester Road, Sew & Sew in St Nicholas Market, Fabric Land near the Bear Pit, Like Sew Amazing in Bedminster, and The Nylon Shop in Kingswood. There are tonnes of different prints, materials and trimmings for you to choose from!
You'll be whipping up your own pair of colourful (and very Bristol!) dungarees in no time!
Making your own clothes can be an eco-friendly or cost-effective alternative to fast fashion. You can upcycle and repair clothes you already own, make outfits from eco-friendly recycled materials, or even set up your own Depop or Etsy store for your handmade items. Can you imagine having your own market stall in Bristol? Cute!
If you're buzzing to get started, then have a look below at the top 7 Bristol workshops to help you make your own clothes:
1. Make statement jewellery using jesmonite
Bold and eye-catching, these statement jewellery pieces will be sure to get heads turning!
Jesmonite is an acrylic resin that is considered to be sustainable and can be used in a mould to create striking and unique shapes. In this jewellery-making workshop, you will create four necklace pendants or four pairs of earrings. Pick the colour and the shapes and make some really stand-out statement jewellery pieces!
💎 Create your own eco-friendly Jesmonite jewellery: £45 per person
2. Make a linen sundress, sunhat and tote bag
Classic, cool and airy- linen is the perfect choice for a summer wardrobe!
In this four-week course, you will create a collection full of all the essentials: a sunhat, a tote bag, and a beautiful sundress. You'll leave with new skills and a host of summer staples that will keep you feeling easy-breezy on hot summer days.
👗 Sew your own linen wardrobe (2-day course): £165 per adult
3. Sew your own leather bag, trainers or summer clog sandals
Want to have a go at sewing with leather? Not sure where to start? Then this one is for you!
Leather can be notoriously tricky to stitch with, but under this host's expert guidance you'll get the hang of it in no time. Spend the day either making a pair of cute trainers, a bucket or saddle bag, or even a pair of lovely summer clogs! The choice is yours. Either way, you'll finish up with a handcrafted leather piece, made by you! That's pretty special, isn't it?
👞 Leather crafting workshops: from £160 per person
4. Make a pounded-flower tote bag using real flowers
Smash up a bunch of delicate fresh flowers with a hammer? No, really! In this fun tote bag-making workshop you will be choosing lovely fresh flowers and 'pounding' them into fabric to make beautiful patterns and prints! Colourful, unique and definitely summery- your tote bag will tote-ally steal the show!
🌸 Make your own pounded-flower tote bag: £40 per person
5. Make a one-of-a-kind scarf using batik dyes
Batik is an ancient style of fabric painting which uses wax and dyes to create beautifully striking prints. Think popping colours, bold shapes and gorgeous patterns!
This scarf-making experience is perfect for learning new skills you can practise at home. Make yourself something one-of-a-kind, or even turn this skill into your signature gift when it comes to birthdays.
🎨 Make a Batik-painted scarf: £55 per person
6. Sew your own easy summer sundress from scratch
You know that special fabric you have stashed away? Too scared to cut into it? I've been there! This sewing workshop is the perfect opportunity for you to make something from it. You'll be taught how to make a summer sundress from scratch, step by step. Leave with a dress made by you, which you'll be happily bragging about for years to come!
🧵Sew an easy summer sundress: £55 per person
7. Learn hand-embroidery
Ever seen hand-embroidery and thought 'I want to try that!'? Well, now is the time! Embroidering your clothes definitely gives them a special twist that you won't find in the shops. It's also just lovely to have as something to hang up somewhere in your home! This relaxing workshop in Bedminster will have you designing and embroidering your own creations in no time.
🪡 Hand-embroidery workshop: £28 per person
