Fenland classes could bring out your inner sewing superstar

A new class will soon be on offer for budding sewers or those with plenty of experience under their belts.

If you have been inspired by BBC One’s Great British Sewing Bee, or you’d like to meet friends through a hobby you love, Debbie Gair’s new classes at Lakes End Village Hall, near Wisbech, might be just what you’re looking for.

Debbie’s classes will focus on patchwork and quilting which she hopes will give people a sense of achievement.

She said: “I’ve been sewing most of my life and I’ve been doing patchwork ad quilting for 11 years. I’ve always crafted as it’s been a life long passion - and it can give you a fantastic sense of achievement.

“Once you’ve finished a king size patchwork - which is quite an achievement - you look at it and think ‘wow, I did that!’”

Debbie previously held similar classes in Essex but having recently moved to Fenland she hoped that she could use her skills to bring people together.

Debbie, who is a qualified primary school teacher, said: “I have transferred my teaching skills to patchwork and I really want to pass what I’ve learnt and the sense of achievement you get on to others.

“Sewing is a very sociable thing and, actually, doing something new and learning together really helps to break the ice. You can bond very quickly when you learn together.”

Debbie is hoping to begin the classes in June as the lockdown restrictions are further eased. Classes will be kept small, with a maximum of eight people per class, to allow for social distancing and to ensure everyone can learn.

Debbie is keen to encourage budding sewers to have a go.

She said: “Anyone who is looking to have a go, perhaps having been influenced by The Great British Sewing Bee, should have a look at starting on something small like a patchwork bag.

“That will help to get their confidence up and then they can build up from there.

“What matters is that someone if happy with what they have produced. As a teacher you should be there to praise people, maybe pointing out what they could do differently next time, but never to make someone feel bad.

“There’s nothing nicer than to receive a homemade gift. You have to look at how much love and effort has gone into creating it.

“I believe that you can see beauty in anything.”

The classes will run for around four hours and, importantly, tea and cake will be provided.

For more information, contact Debbie on 07977 701 497 or email degair54@gmail.com