Quilting For Beginners Course
Learn to Quilt with Confidence
Even If You’re Too Terrified to Cut Into That Beautiful Fabric
Pay per term or in full
Dreaming of making your first quilt but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin?
Tried learning from YouTube or books and just ended up confused, frustrated, or terrified of making a mistake?
You’re so not alone and you’re exactly who I’ve designed this friendly, in-person quilting course for.
Over four gentle, supportive terms, you’ll follow a clear roadmap that takes you from your very first quilting stitches to finishing a beautiful lap quilt — all through five fun, achievable projects that build your skills and confidence step-by-step.
By the end, you’ll not only feel confident calling yourself a quilter, you’ll have a collection of handmade projects to proudly use, gift, and display. And you’ll have done it all with the encouragement of a small, friendly group cheering you on every week.
What You’ll Make on the Course
Across the four terms, you’ll complete five beautiful, beginner-friendly quilting projects:
- A Nine Patch Cushion (your first patchwork project!)
- A set of four Quilted Star placemats
- Two circular potholders
- A table runner
- A lap quilt — your first real quilt!
Each project introduces a new quilting skill in a gentle, achievable way… so by the time you reach your final quilt, everything feels familiar and do-able.
What You’ll Learn on the Quilting For Beginners Course
By the end of the course, you’ll understand (and feel confident doing):
✅ What patchwork and quilting actually are — and how they fit together
✅ How to choose fabric that works (colour, value, scale, and why it matters!)
✅ How to measure and rotary-cut fabric accurately
✅ How to sew accurate ¼” seams and match your patchwork points
✅ How to press seams so your blocks lie flat and neat
✅ How to create a quilt sandwich (top, wadding and backing)
✅ How to quilt using a walking foot
✅ How to machine-finish binding with mitred corners
✅ The difference between straight-grain and bias binding — and how to make both
… and so many little tips, tricks and aha-moments that only come from learning in person with a tutor watching your hands and guiding you in real time.
You’ll also build confidence in your sewing machine: even though this isn’t a beginner’s sewing course, you’ll naturally become more comfortable with your machine as your projects progress.
Course Details:
🗓 Dates: Weekly sessions across four terms from January–July 2026 (24 weeks split into four terms of six weeks)
🕖 Time: 10am – 12:30pm
🏠 Location: Newent Community Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Watery Lane, Newent GL18 1QA
♿ Fully accessible venue with free parking
💰 Cost: £120 per term or for best value £440 in full (select option in drop down menu above)
You’ll receive a payment reminder and link to pay before each term begins.
🚗 Easy drive: 17 mins from Ross, 20 mins from Ledbury, 23 mins from Gloucester
What You’ll Be Learning Week by Week:
TERM 1: Getting Started & Your First Patchwork Project
Week 1: Wed 7 Jan 2026 – Introduction to Patchwork & Quilting
- What quilting is, the difference between patchwork & quilting
- Choosing fabrics for beginners
- Understanding tools, rulers, rotary cutters & thread
- Practice measuring & cutting on scrap fabric
- Cut the pieces for your first project (the Nine Patch cushion)
No equipment needed for this lesson — I’ll bring everything.
Week 2: Fri 16 Jan* – Accurate Piecing Made Simple
*Please note change of day for this week
- The magic of the ¼” seam
- How to match corner seams neatly
- Begin piecing your Nine Patch blocks
Week 3: Wed 21 Jan – Cushion Finishing & Next Steps
- Finish your cushion (and celebrate!)
- Discuss fabric needs for your Quilted Star placemats
Week 4: Wed 28 Jan – Cutting for Placemats
- Cut fabrics for your placemats
- Start piecing if time allows
Week 5: Wed 4 Feb – Sewing Star Blocks
- Learn a new patchwork technique and piece your placemat tops
Week 6: Wed 11 Feb – Preparing for Quilting
- Continue sewing your placemat tops
- Introduction to wadding, basting, walking feet, quilting needles & thread
Ready to quilt after half term.
TERM 2: Quilting, Binding & Finishing Skills
Week 7: Wed 25 Feb – Making Your Quilt Sandwich
- Cut wadding, layer your placemats, pin or baste
- Practice quilting before quilting the real thing
Week 8: Wed 4 Mar – Quilting & Squaring Up
- Finish quilting your placemats
- Learn to sink threads
- Trim & square up
- How to prepare straight-grain binding
Week 9: Wed 11 Mar – Perfect Binding
- Attach binding with mitred corners the fool-proof way
Week 10: Wed 18 Mar – Binding Completion & Next Project
- Finish all placemat binding
- Discuss fabric for potholders
Week 11: Wed 25 Mar – Circular Potholders
- Cut and piece tops using a new patchwork technique
- Layer ready for quilting
Week 12: Wed 1 Apr – Bias Binding
- Learn the difference between straight-grain & bias binding
- Make bias binding and begin attaching it
TERM 3: Table Runner Project
Week 13: Wed 15 Apr – Finish Potholder Binding
- Complete your circular potholders
- Discuss fabric for your table runner
Week 14 (Wed 22 Apr) to Week 18 (Wed 20 May) – Making Your Table Runner
- A steady, creative term leading you to your final, exciting project: your first quilt.
TERM 4: Your First Quilt!
Term 4a
Week 19: Thurs 4 June* – Getting Started on Your Lap Quilt
*Please note change of day
- Cutting, layout, piecing the quilt top
Weeks 20 & 21: Wed 10 & 17 June – Lap Quilt Project Work
Two-week break (with light homework to work on your lap quilt)
Term 4b
Week 22 (Wed 8 July) - Week 24 (Wed 22 July) – Lap Quilt Project
- Complete your quilt
- Group celebration, photos & lots of pride all round!
I Provide
- All tuition
- All patterns and written instructions
- Advice on tools & sewing machines
- Tea & coffee
- A friendly, encouraging atmosphere with no jargon and all your questions answered
You Need to Bring
- A sewing machine (must be able to thread it & sew a straight line)
- Fabric & thread (10% student discount code provided on booking)
- Basic equipment (you’ll learn what you need in the first lesson)
If you don’t have a machine you like, please don’t hesitate to contact me, I can advise on a good entry-level or mid-range machine. Many students upgrade as their quilting journey unfolds.
Why Learn with Me?
I’ve been sewing for over 45 years and have a City & Guilds qualification in Patchwork & Quilting and my passion and specialism is for helping beginners feel confident and capable at the machine – whether you’re just starting to learn to quilt, or you want to learn new techniques.
I’ve taught hundreds of people to sew and quilt through my in-person classes, online courses, and my YouTube channel, Quilt With Kim, which has had over half a million views. I’m also a guest presenter on Sewing Street TV.
My classes are always warm, practical, friendly and judgement-free. So whether you’re brand new to quilting or returning after a l-o-n-g break and seem to have forgotten everything, I promise I’ll guide you step by step in a friendly, down-to-earth way - with clear explanations, lots of encouragement, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Ready to Start Your Quilting Journey?
Come join us: you’ll gain skills, confidence, and a new creative passion that lasts a lifetime.
Places are limited and my courses often sell out, so grab your spot early to avoid disappointment.
Booking details will be emailed to you as soon as you’ve signed up, and fabric requirements will be sent to you two weeks before the course starts.
Got any questions?
Is this course OK for complete beginners?
This is not a beginner’s sewing course as you will need to know how to thread your machine and sew a straight line. But quilting knowledge is not required at all. I’ll guide you step by step and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your confidence grows.
Do I need my own sewing machine?
Yes. You’ll use your machine each week and at home for light homework. If you’re unsure whether your machine is suitable, just ask.
What tools or materials will I need?
You’ll need basic tools plus fabric for each project. I’ll tell you exactly what to get and when — and you’ll receive a 10% discount code for my online shop. No need to pay for postage & packing either if you're one of my students.
Do I need to bring quilting equipment?
Yes, you’ll need to buy your own quilting tools and equipment — but please don’t buy anything before the first lesson. I’ll bring everything you need for that session and walk you through exactly what to buy (and what to avoid!) so you don’t waste money on unnecessary tools.
What if I miss a session?
No problem. I’ll make sure you can catch up in the next class, and if needed, I can send you written instructions or a short video to help you keep up from home.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes, the Newent Community Pavilion is 100% accessible with a wide entrance and disabled toilet.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is plenty of free parking right outside the Pavilion.
Can I bring a friend?
Of course! Just make sure you both book your places early - spaces are limited and classes often fill up quickly.
How many people will be in the class?
Class sizes are kept small at no more than 8 people, so that everyone gets individual attention, time to ask questions, and support at their own pace. It's also a closed group which means people can't join half way through, and you'll make lots of new friends in your group. Many of my students are still friends with their 'class mates' years later!
Are your classes open to men?
Absolutely! Quilting is for everyone, and gents are more than welcome to join; you’ll be made to feel right at home.
Are your classes LGBTQIA+ friendly?
Yes, 100%. My classes are a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Kindness, respect, and support are at the heart of everything I do. Quilting is for anyone who wants to learn!
💬 If you have any accessibility needs or questions about whether this course is right for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’ll do everything I can to help.
Feel free to pop me an email via this contact form and I’ll email you back.
(I have to do it this way to stop the spammers!).
