Memory Bear Crafting Course

Learn to make a memory bear from your treasured fabricsWhether it's the loss of someone special or the joy of a new addition, starting a new school or sports team, items of clothing can have very sentimental attachments for us. Transform pieces of treasured fabric into a memory bear in this three-part workshop with Greener and Cleaner. Your bears make fantastic handmade gifts and keepsakes for special people.To complete your bear, you'll need to attend all three parts of the workshop. The dates and times are as follows:

• 21st January, 1-3pm
• 28th January, 1-4pm
• 4th February, 1-4pm

This hands-on workshop is suitable for teens and adults who are already comfortable using a sewing machine. (Although the sewing isn't overly complicated, it does include curved seams and sharp turns. If you need practise and don't have a sewing machine at home, pop into The Hub and use our sewing machine in advance).Your instructor, Kim Graham, is an experienced seamstress making memory bears for her business.The cost of the course covers 8 hours of tuition and the pattern which you can reuse for future bears. There is an additional estimated £3.50 cost for joints/accessories (like safety eyes) which will be purchased from Greener and Cleaner when required.Session and skills overview:

• The first session will give an introduction and design, pattern tracing, fabric cutting, and iron-on fusing demo.
• The second session will include pinning, tacking, and machine stitching, hand stitching, and face assembly.
• The final session will see you stuffing, closing, and assembling your bears, finishing off, and completing with celebrations and photographs!

Skills used to make the bear include:

• Machine and hand stitching, as well as some embroidery
• Pinning and tacking
• Placing pattern pieces and cutting out
• Stuffing and assembly

The workshop also:

• Champions reusing and repurposing
• Encourages innovation
• Promotes trial & error risk-taking
• Explores creativity
• Fosters connection and conversation
• Celebrates achievement

Parking in the Glades can be accessed from Kentish Way or Glades Place off Widmore Rd. (Parking shuts 30 minutes after shops close) Read more details