Category: WORKSHOPS

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Join the Housecoat Workshop with Maria Thomas

The Housecoat Workshop with Maria Thomas. We have a new date for the incredible Housecoat Workshop led by the textile artist Maria Thomas.

During this 2-day Textiles Workshop you will explore used cloth within a garment. Maria is a long time friend of mine, and a partner in crime for many of my textile adventures. She’s such an inspiring textile artist you are in for a real treat! You’ll be full to the brim of inspiration, ideas and a new found way to view textiles.

THE HOUSECOAT WORKSHOP

Collaged Hanging Art Jacket Workshop with Maria Thomas

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th April 2025

10am – 4pm

The Maven Studio, Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Book your Workshop space now

2 day artist-led workshop.

Learn how to create your own collaged textile-art jacket housecoat hanging using reclaimed household linens and paper wrappers mixed with quilted collage techniques.

Under Maria’s expert guidance you will learn how to use a pre-prepared jacket pattern to create a cloth and paper collaged art garment. 

Along with pattern layout (using recycled papers and vintage fabrics) you will construct an original appliqué and quilted textile-art garment.

Maria is a textile artist and the primary purpose of this workshop is to explore and create an heirloom piece rather than a wearable ‘fashion’ jacket. 

Explore Maria’s Housecoat Series for some inspiration and to see how she uses found objects, papers & mementos in her work.

This is the last workshop we will be running at the Maven Studios and we only 8 spaces available so please book your place early if you fancy joining us for a marvellous weekend of making! 

There will most definitely be a spot of tea + coffee + cake involved and also a 10% discount on Kleins Haberdashery for during the workshop if you fancy a rummage through my wares! 

Join the Workshop

The Textile Artist / More about Maria

Maria has over 30 years experience teaching embroidery, print and textile design, in further and adult education as well as delivering bespoke textile workshops to groups around the UK. She loves to share her passion for textiles and enjoys giving colourful talks about her career and work inspirations. Working with paper, cloth and found objects Maria’s workshops range from appliqué, quilting and stitched collage to hand dyeing techniques and processes.

Maria’s work focuses on rehousing everyday objects that have a specific association or meaning to her. Notions of motherhood, shopping lists, food wrappers and graphic packaging – offering assistance to domestic chores – are carefully sourced, cut out and stitched before being absorbed into the fabric by patchwork and quilting techniques. Shaping memories and experiences into her own visual language Maria’s work is a response to the events of her daily life.

Maria is the tutor and founder of the exhibiting group Together Textiles who meet for workshops in Warwickshire.

“Textile artist Maria Thomas is a master at finding and embedding found objects in ways that tell remarkable stories of life, love and loss. And her use of vintage textiles adds yet more meaning to the notion of treasured keepsakes and mementoes.”

Maria Thomas: Keepsakes in stitch – read the full article in Textile Artist here

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NEW! The Housecoat Workshop

The House Coat workshop with Maria Thomas

I’m so happy to share that we have added a second date for The Housecoat Workshop here at Maven HQ.

My amazing friend and glorious textile artist Maria Thomas is holding her incredible 2-day Housecoat Workshop here at The Maven Studio in Warwickshire. 

Maria is a long time friend of mine, and a partner in crime for many of my textile adventures. She’s such an inspiring textile artist you are in for a real treat! You’ll be full to the brim of inspiration, ideas and a new found way to view textiles.

THE HOUSECOAT WORKSHOP

Collaged Hanging Art Jacket Workshop with Maria Thomas

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September 2024

10am – 4pm

The Maven Studio, Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Book your Workshop space now

This is a 2 day artist-led workshop.

Learn how to create your own collaged textile-art jacket housecoat hanging using reclaimed household linens and paper wrappers mixed with quilted collage techniques.

During this workshop you will be exploring used cloth within a garment.

Under Maria’s expert guidance you will learn how to use a pre-prepared jacket pattern to create a cloth and paper collaged art garment. 

Along with pattern layout (using recycled papers and vintage fabrics) you will construct an original appliqué and quilted textile-art garment.

Maria is a textile artist and the primary purpose of this workshop is to explore and create an heirloom piece rather than a wearable ‘fashion’ jacket. 

Explore Maria’s Housecoat Series for some inspiration and to see how she uses found objects, papers & mementos in her work.

We only have a very limited number of spaces so please book your place early if you fancy joining us for a marvellous weekend of making! 

There will most definitely be a spot of tea + coffee + cake involved and also a 10% discount on Kleins Haberdashery for during the workshop if you fancy a rummage through my wares! 

Join the Workshop

The Textile Artist / More about Maria

Maria Thomas - the textile artist in her studio
Maria Thomas in her studio

Maria has over 30 years experience teaching embroidery, print and textile design, in further and adult education as well as delivering bespoke textile workshops to groups around the UK. She loves to share her passion for textiles and enjoys giving colourful talks about her career and work inspirations. Working with paper, cloth and found objects Maria’s workshops range from appliqué, quilting and stitched collage to hand dyeing techniques and processes.

Maria’s work focuses on rehousing everyday objects that have a specific association or meaning to her. Notions of motherhood, shopping lists, food wrappers and graphic packaging – offering assistance to domestic chores – are carefully sourced, cut out and stitched before being absorbed into the fabric by patchwork and quilting techniques. Shaping memories and experiences into her own visual language Maria’s work is a response to the events of her daily life.

Maria is the tutor and founder of the exhibiting group Together Textiles who meet for workshops in Warwickshire.

“Textile artist Maria Thomas is a master at finding and embedding found objects in ways that tell remarkable stories of life, love and loss. And her use of vintage textiles adds yet more meaning to the notion of treasured keepsakes and mementoes.”

Maria Thomas: Keepsakes in stitch – read the full article in Textile Artist here

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Open Studio – February 2023

We have some exciting news!

Our first open studio was so much fun that we are holding another open weekend at our studio here in Warwickshire.

Pop along to meet the team, chat & shop!

The very important details: 

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th February 2023

10am – 4pm (no appointments needed, just pop in!)

85 Priory Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1LQ

What can you expect?

  • sewing chat!
  • Deadstock Haberdashery – lots of designer deadstock trimmings, haberdashery & fastenings, fancy elastic and trims, lingerie and dressmaking supplies
  • a bargain box (or 2!)
  • Zips – we have some very unusual zips & the usual ones too!
  • sewing patterns
  • sewing and pattern tools 
  • a small sample sale
  • eco-haberdashery
  • Threads – specialised, planet friendly eco-sewing threads – Tencel sewing thread, recycled sewing threads, organic cotton thread
  • Elastic – organic and natural rubber elastics, recycled elastics, bio elastics and picot elastics
  • Buttons – Corozo buttons, codelite dairy buttons, pearl and shell buttons & deadstock buttons
  • organic fabrics

Maven Patterns Our studio is where I create Maven Patterns and I’ll be here to chat all things sewing and patterns. My sewing patterns and sewing fancies will be available and there might even be a little sample sale!

Kleins Haberdashery in all its glory! Find incredible pieces that haven’t been listed online. We have gorgeous trims and accessories from high end designers, costumiers and film production deadstock, as well as some of the most unique haberdashery items available. We will have our vintage trims, badges, ribbons, buckles and buttons available for you, as well as all the couture accessories one could imagine! And there will be some great bargains too!

James Tailoring Richard from James Tailoring will be around to chat all things sewing sustainably. As the first fully eco-haberdashery James Tailoring was founded in 2019 as a one stop shop for tailors who wanted to be completely sustainable with their sewing. Since then, James Tailoring has grown into a brand serving every side of the fashion industry, paving the way for a better future with biodegradable elastics, threads and buttons. Come and see us to experience the innovative sustainable sewing movement.

ARE YOU PART OF A SEWING GROUP ?

We have a few weekday slots available by appointment only for groups from 1st – 3rd February.

Email me to book your space!

Where to find us –

We are very easy to find as we are right next to Kenilworth train station. There is some free on-street parking but plenty of parking in the train station car park (pay and display) which is behind our studio.

We had a great time at our last open day and cannot wait to meet you!

Spread the word … tell your friends … and we’re a very friendly bunch so don’t worry if you are coming on your own!

See you Soon!

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The Beginners Sewing Summit – make a midi skirt with me!

Sew an Easy Midi Skirt with me!

We are teaching at the 2021 Beginner Sewing Summit, which is our first ever online sewing class! Come and sew an easy midi skirt with myself and Eve, it’s a great beginner project or take a look at one of the other classes – there are over 40 to choose from! Best of all the classes are FREE to watch May 3rd- 7th 2021, you could learn the basics and new skills while completing fun projects like fashion, home decor, and cute accessories.

UPDATE: Sewing Summit 2021 is over but this online class is still available to purchase with The Sewing Summit via the link below.

AD/AFFILIATE LINK: If you decide to purchase the lesson with Rebecca Page and the Sewing Summit through our link, we receive a commission.

Sew an Easy Midi Skirt with Maven Patterns

CLASS DESCRIPTION | In this class you will learn to make a simple jersey midi-skirt with an elasticated waistband.

You will learn how to take your measurements, cut your fabric and create an easy to wear skirt to fit you and that you’ll love wearing. As sewing with knits can sometimes be a bit daunting, we’ll talk you through the whole process!

All of this information is in the class video but we thought it would be nice to have somewhere to refer to!

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS | 

Any knit fabric! We recommend using a cotton or modal knit fabric with at least a 5% elastane content. The elastane will help your skirt retain its shape.

SKIRT PATTERN |

The skirt doesn’t need a pattern! It’s just a rectangle that we can mark directly on the fabric and cut. The amount of fabric to buy will be based on your overall length of the skirt.

  • For simplicity we’ve used inches in the video but have added metric conversions below (we’ve rounded them up to make sensible measurements rather than exact conversions!)
  • SIDE SEAM ALLOWANCES | INCHES: we have allowed ½” seam allowance to join the side seams (so add 1″ seam allowances extra to width). METRIC: if you are team metric allow 1.5cm to join the side seams (so add 3cm seam allowances extra to width).

To work out your fabric requirement follow the guides below.

The amount of fabric to buy will be based on your overall length of the skirt plus some allowances.

When purchasing your fabric it’s a good idea to purchase extra fabric to allow room for cutting out and any shrinkage as you will need to prewash your fabric before before you begin.

LENGTH: Take your ideal skirt length and add 5″ (13cm)  to calculate the length of your fabric required. Not sure how long you want your skirt? Measure something you already own or allow a little extra and it can always be cut to length later.

WIDTH: Take your hip measurement, at your widest part, and add 1″ (3cm) for seam allowances to calculate the width of your rectangle.

  • For example – if you have a 40″ hip – you will need 1 rectangle measuring 41″ wide (40″ + 1″ seam allowance).
  • And in metric – 105cm wide rectangle (102cm wide + 3cm seam allowances)

Not covered in the video but…should your hip measurement be more than the width of your fabric you will need to cut 2 rectangles so buy twice the skirt length. Your skirt will have 2 side seams, just use the same method we describe in the video to join your seams. As you have 2 seams that’ll give you the option to have a split in each seam or on just one seam, whichever you prefer! The formula to calculate the width of each of  your rectangles will be – half your full hip measurement and add 1″ (3cm) extra as seam allowances.

  • For example – if you have a 66″ hip – you will need 2 rectangles measuring 34″ wide (33″ + 1″ seam allowance).
  • And in metric – if you have a 168cm hip – 87cm wide rectangle (84cm wide + 3cm seam allowances)

You will also need |

  • Polyester sewing thread.
  • Ballpoint, stretch or jersey machine needle.
  • 1″ (2.5cm) wide elastic – enough to wrap around your waist with an overlap (any width between ¾″ – 1½” (2-4 cm) will be fine if you have it in your stash!)
  • Safety pin
  • Marking tool – chalk or fabric pen
  • Ruler
  • Plus, the usual sewing equipment – sewing machine, scissors, tape measure, pins, iron

Looking for some tips on sewing with knit fabrics? Check out our tutorial here!

Sew an Easy Midi Skirt with Maven Patterns

AD/AFFILIATE LINK: If you decide to purchase the lesson with Rebecca Page and the Sewing Summit through our link, we receive a commission. Thank you!