Space to Craft
2026-01-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-26 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Bugweed’s Limited, Bugweed's Limited, Unit 3, Marrtree Business Park, Stirling Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 4AB, United Kingdom
Space to Craft
Desperate for space to lay out your project and have a couple of hours to work on it? Sometimes the table at home just isn’t big enough for large projects that need a flat surface. Whether it’s layering a quilt, cutting out a garment pattern or planning and drafting your own pattern, we have the answer here at Bugweed’s!
Rent a table for 2, 4 or 6 hours on specific days and make use of our large tables. There are 5 spaces for morning and afternoon to make sure you get lots of table space.
Please note, there is no tutoring with this session. Our staff will be busy in the shop and although we are always happy to help our community, we will only be able to answer quick questions and make sure you have a cuppa!

Zip it! Mastering Standard Zips
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00
Welcome to the Skills Sessions of Bugweed’s Sewing School with Hannah. In this session you will become more proficient in sewing standard zips. Hannah will share her hints and tips on handling zips, including inserting and shortening standard zips. Zips can be a real nightmare and sewists often tell us about there experiences of fighting with them when inserting them or even avoiding them at all costs! Stop avoiding! Come and join us and begin to love zips!
Please note, this is Part 1 of 2 zip workshops. Part 2 covers concealed or invisible zips. The workshops are stand alone and are paid for separately.
Required sewing knowledge and experience
A good basic knowledge of a sewing machine and be able to sew a straight stitch. Attendees need to be familiar with loading a bobbin, changing a needle and changing the foot on their sewing machine.
This session is not suitable for absolute beginners that haven’t got experience of using a sewing machine or sewing fabric together. Please see our Brilliant Beginners workshops for more help with starting using your sewing machine.
Fabric and tool requirements
Please bring your own sewing machine and supplies with you. You will need to have a zipper foot, marking tools (preferably a heat erasable pen) and thread in 2 colours, contrasting thread to be used in the bobbin.
Everything else you will need will be provided for the workshop.

Zip it! Mastering Invisible Zips
2026-02-26 19:00 - 21:00
Welcome to the Skills Sessions of Bugweed’s Sewing School with Hannah. In this session you will become more proficient in sewing invisible or concealed zips. These can be a challenge for the best of sewists at the first time of sewing them but have faith, Hannah will share her hints and tips on handling these clever zips. There will be time to ask questions and lots of practicing your sewing skills.
Please note, this is Part 2 of 2 zip workshops. Part 1 covers standard zips. The workshops are stand alone and are paid for separately.
Required sewing knowledge and experience
A good basic knowledge of a sewing machine and be able to sew a straight stitch. Attendees need to be familiar with loading a bobbin, changing a needle and changing the foot on their sewing machine.
This session is not suitable for absolute beginners that haven’t got experience of using a sewing machine or sewing fabric together. Please see our Brilliant Beginners workshops for more help with starting using your sewing machine.
Fabric and tool requirements
Please bring your own sewing machine and supplies with you. You will need to have an invisible zipper foot, marking tools (preferably a heat erasable pen) and thread in 2 colours, contrasting thread to be used in the bobbin.
Everything else you will need will be provided for the workshop.

Bugweed's Sewing School Brilliant Beginners
2026-03-05 18:30 - 2026-03-19 21:00
Please note this is a three part workshop.
Part 1 Thursday 5th March 6.30pm – 9pm
Part 2 Thursday 12th March 6.30pm – 9pm
Part 3 Thursday 19th March 6.30pm – 9pm
One payment covers all sessions.
Part 1 Thursday 5th March 6.30pm – 9pm
The first session of this Brilliant Beginners sewing course will focus on the basic features of your sewing machine. Catie will guide you through the construction of an envelope style cushion cover. This will give you a chance to remind yourself about changing stitches and stitch length, turning corners, seam allowances and other important skills and sewing knowledge.

Part 2 Thursday 12th March 6.30pm – 9pm

In this session you will be starting the prep for making pj bottoms. Catie will explain each stage throughout the process, learning how to read a garment pattern correctly as you go. You will accurately take our body measurements to determine what size pattern to use, cut out the pattern and fabric and then transfer all pattern markings on to the fabric.

If patterns need to be lengthened/shortened this can easily be can be dealt with!

Part 3 Thursday 19th March 6.30pm – 9pm

In this session you will be sewing the pj bottoms. Catie will help you gain confidence with your sewing machine to join fabrics, follow pattern instructions and construct a simple garment. The pj bottoms will be finished and hemmed ready for wearing!

Required sewing knowledge/experience for both sessions
You need to be able to turn on your sewing machine and sew a straight stitch!
It would be helpful if you are familiar with your machine and how to use it’s basic features such as winding and inserting the bobbin, threading up your machine and needle. This session is suitable for sewing machine beginners, eager to start their sewing journey.

What will you need to bring for both sessions?

Your sewing machine and instruction book
Enthusiasm!

Machines are available to hire so please let us know if you would like to use one of our machines.

Bloom Together - Use a sewing machine to sew a bag
2026-04-08 10:30 - 12:30
It’s the Easter holidays and the children are on their break! Do you have a young person who is keen to learn how to use a sewing machine or is keen to begin making bags on a machine? Well this is for both of you!
Come to Bugweed’s and enjoy a morning together making a simple tote bag using either plain or patterned fabric. Our enthusiastic tutor, Emma will guide you through cutting out your fabric and constructing your bag. You will be able to adjust the size to your requirements and make it personal to you both! We suggest that you make one bag between the pair of you and so adults can support the children on the sewing machines.

You can either bring your own machine or borrow one of ours to learn your skills on. This is the perfect opportunity to get that sewing machine out that has been hiding in the back of the cupboard or that was given as a gift but has not been out of it’s box yet!
We welcome up to two children with each adult and adults MUST stay and supervise their children in the session. Tickets are to be purchased for each child but adults go free!
All materials and refreshments are provided, please let yes know if you would like to borrow a sewing machine for the workshop.
For those wanting to decorate their bag, you may want to book our afternoon workshop where Emma will guide you through different ways to decorate your items including using trimmings and basic appliqué.

2026-04-15 10:30 - 12:30
Private Sewing Workshop
Do you have a project you are stuck on and need some guidance? Are you desperate to learn a new skill but feel as though you would learn more in a 1:1 session? Well this offering from Bugweed’s is for you!
Come and enjoy 2 hours of 1:1 tutoring time with an experienced sewing teacher. Let us know what you are wanting to focus on before the workshop so Debbie, our fantastic experienced sewing tutor, can prepare and make the most of your tutoring session.
Each session will be 2 hours in length and is limited to just one space. If you are wanting to come with a friend or relative and would like a workshop for both of you, please let us know and we can alter the booking for two.
What shall I bring?

your project
your sewing machine if you have one
a notebook and pen!

About our tutor
Debbie has taught textiles and art for many years at secondary school level and is expert in all things textiles, from stitching on machine and by hand as well as manipulating fabrics and materials. She is ready to help you through all the sewing challenges you may face so please give us some information on how you would like to use the session and we can help you make the most of it!

Help I've bought an overlocker!
2026-04-22 10:30 - 12:30
It’s back!! Our fantastically popular beginners workshop for the machine you all love to hate, the overlocker!! Book your place while you can, they won’t be available for long!
Come and conquer your fears of the overlocker with our friendly and knowledgeable tutor! The perfect course for beginners who want to learn the basics of how to use their overlocker.
What will you learn on this course?

Threading up, in the correct order
Understanding the parts
Understanding and adjusting tension
The cutter
Changing a needle
Looking after your overlocker, including cleaning
Raising the knife
Adjusting the stitch length
Adjusting the cutting width
How to make sure it does not come unthreaded
How to easily rethread in a different colour

What do you need to bring?

Your overlocker and thread. Please let us know which machine you have when booking

Our tutor
Our tutor Debbie is a textiles teacher with over twenty years experience of teaching both art based textiles and technology. This has led to a wide range of skills in all areas of textiles, from stitching on machines and by hand as well as manipulation of fabrics and materials.
Look out for the next overlocker workshop – ‘How to get the most out of your overlocker’ – in a couple of weeks time!

Brilliant Buttonholes
2026-04-23 19:00 - 21:00
Welcome to the Skills Sessions of Bugweed’s Sewing School with Hannah. In this session you will work on becoming a master of buttonholes! Many a sewist dreads the buttonhole feature on their garments and so now is your chance to conquer that fear and become confident in sewing a buttonhole. Hannah will be working through both a one step and four step buttonhole. She will also be teaching a bound buttonhole technique for advancing your skills even more! There will be time to ask questions and lots of practicing your sewing skills.
Required sewing knowledge and experience
A good basic knowledge of a sewing machine and be able to sew simple stitches. Attendees need to be familiar with loading a bobbin, changing a needle and changing the foot on their sewing machine.
This session is not suitable for absolute beginners that haven’t got experience of using a sewing machine or sewing fabric together. Please see our Brilliant Beginners workshops for more help with starting using your sewing machine.
Fabric and tool requirements
Please bring your own sewing machine and supplies with you. Your machine does not have to have a one step buttonhole foot as a range of methods of buttonhole sewing will be covered but please remember to bring the buttonhole foot that belongs to your machine! If you have any fabric marking tools please bring these too.
Everything else you will need will be provided for the workshop.

Private Sewing Lesson
2026-04-29 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-05-13 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-06-03 10:30 - 12:30

How to get the most out of your overlocker
2026-05-06 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-05-07 10:30 - 12:30
If you know the basics but want to know more about how to get the most out of your overlocker then this is the course for you.
What will you learn on this course?

Make sure your machine is set up properly
Using it for gathering
Adjusting the differential feed for different fabrics
Roll hemming
Unpicking seams
Buying and using extra feet for blind stitch, elasticator or cording

What do you need to bring?

Your overlocker and thread. Please let us know which machine you have when booking

Our tutor
Our tutor Debbie is a textiles teacher with over twenty years experience of teaching both art based textiles and technology. This has led to a wide range of skills in all areas of textiles, from stitching on machines and by hand as well as manipulation of fabrics and materials.

Bugweed's Sewing School - Simply Stretch
2026-05-07 18:30 - 2026-05-14 21:00
Please note this is a two part workshop.
Part 1 Thursday 7th May 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Part 2 Thursday 14th May 6.30pm – 9.00pm
One payment covers all sessions and materials and pattern is included.
Part 1 Thursday 7th May 6.30pm – 9.00pm
The first session of this Simply Stretch sewing course will focus on the differences between sewing stretch fabrics and woven fabrics. Catie will provide essential information as to how to achieve the best results when sewing jersey fabrics and will introduce you to the unisex t-shirt pattern which will be used. You will be guided through finding your size and cutting out the pattern and fabric ready for sewing!

Part 2 Thursday 14th May 6.30pm – 9.00pm

In this session you will be sewing up your t-shirt. Catie will help you with which stitch and thread to use and make sure that any finishing techniques provide you with a great garment in the end. There may also be the opportunity to go one the studio overlocker machine.

If patterns need to be lengthened/shortened this can easily be can be dealt with!

Required sewing knowledge/experience for both sessions

You need to be able to change stitches, stitch length and stitch width on your machine. This workshop is aimed at beginners but not sewers who have never used a machine before!
It would be useful if you are familiar with your machine and how to use it’s basic features such as winding and inserting the bobbin, threading up your machine and needle.
What will you need to bring for both sessions?

Your sewing machine and instruction book
Enthusiasm!
Your pattern from the Brilliant Beginners pj course if you attended

Machines are available to hire so please let us know if you would like to use one of our machines.

Expanding Boxy Craft Case
2026-05-09 10:30 - 15:30
After much excitement over Helen’s zipped case, we are now having a day to draft and sew your own! Named the ‘Expanding Boxy Craft Case’, this essential item of your bag collection will give you lots of space to carry all sorts of items!

Helen will guide you through drafting your own pattern for the zipped case and then help you construct your bag using fat quarters and half meter pieces. The bag will be padded with fusible fleece and quilted to add structure and interest.
The construction of this bag enables you to make maximum use of the space inside and you will learn how to insert a continuous zip so as to make the opening the maximum amount.

Enjoy learning some new skills, expand your bag pattern drafting skills and spending time with like minded crafters.
What do I need to bring?

sewing machine
thread
zipper foot
one fat quarter for the outer shell
50cm for the lining
large ruler
fabric marking pen
glue pen (not essential but will help with zip insertion)

What is included?

24″ continuous zip
zip pull
0.5m 1″ webbing
0.25cm fusible fleece
1m bias binding
pattern paper
refreshments

Previous experience required?

This workshop is designed for improving quilters and folk who would like to practice their bag making skills.

Zip it! Mastering Invisible Zips
2026-06-04 19:00 - 21:00
Welcome to the Skills Sessions of Bugweed’s Sewing School with Hannah. In this session you will become more proficient in sewing invisible or concealed zips. These can be a challenge for the best of sewists at the first time of sewing them but have faith, Hannah will share her hints and tips on handling these clever zips. There will be time to ask questions and lots of practicing your sewing skills.
Please note, this is a repeat of Part 2 of 2 zip workshops.
Required sewing knowledge and experience
A good basic knowledge of a sewing machine and be able to sew a straight stitch. Attendees need to be familiar with loading a bobbin, changing a needle and changing the foot on their sewing machine.
This session is not suitable for absolute beginners that haven’t got experience of using a sewing machine or sewing fabric together. Please see our Brilliant Beginners workshops for more help with starting using your sewing machine.
Fabric and tool requirements
Please bring your own sewing machine and supplies with you. You will need to have an invisible zipper foot, marking tools (preferably a heat erasable pen) and thread in 2 colours, contrasting thread to be used in the bobbin.
Everything else you will need will be provided for the workshop.
