Learning to Sew by Hand: What We Covered in Our First Workshop

Ever wanted to fix a button, mend a hem, or sew by hand but didn’t know where to start? That’s exactly what we explored in my first beginner-friendly sewing workshop at the Cove Civic Centre.

The goal wasn’t perfection. It was confidence and learning skills you can use every day. In a calm, welcoming space, we stitched slowly, practised the basics, and built practical hand sewing skills anyone can use at home.

Practising blanket stitch to applique a fabric letter, which is one of the many stitches we explored in the workshop.

What We Covered

We focused on practical, everyday stitches that form the foundation of visible mending and basic hand sewing. These are skills you can use to repair clothes, sew on buttons, or start small handmade projects at home.

Here’s what we practised:

Straight stitch aka Running stitch: Simple and versatile. Great for gathering fabric, quick seams, and stitching sashiko.

Backstitch: Strong and neat, ideal for mending seams that need to hold.

Whipstitch: Easy for beginners and perfect for sewing up holes or attaching patches.

Blanket stitch: Decorative and functional. Great for edges and visible mends.

Ladder stitch: Ideal for invisible seam repairs, especially on stuffed animals or lined garments.

Hem stitch: A tidy, almost invisible way to secure hems by hand.

Sewing on a button: A simple but essential skill that comes in handy more often than you'd think.

We also covered how to thread a needle, knot thread effectively in a few different ways, and tie off stitches securely, with a focus on keeping things simple and stress-free.

Watch the Stitches in Action

If you’d like to see a quick overview of these stitches, I’ve put together a short YouTube video that demonstrates each one. It’s not a full tutorial, but it gives a clear look at how each stitch works and what it’s used for.

Watch the video below:

What Participants Said

One of the most meaningful parts of running this workshop was hearing how it helped participants feel more confident and inspired to sew.

“There were stitches I have wanted to learn for years, and after just this short class, I feel confident enough to keep practicing and improving.”

“It reminded me of the baby clothes I have been saving in my garage for over a decade with the dream of turning them into something special – and now, thanks to her, I finally feel like I can start that project.”

“Connie provides a welcoming and friendly space for her crafting workshops. Here I built upon my existing skills and learnt new skills too. Highly recommended”

One lovely workshop participant, Nicole, holding her stitched sampler.

This kind of feedback is exactly why I run these sessions, not just to teach stitches, but to help people reconnect with making, mending, and creating in a meaningful way.

I’m so grateful to those who came along and trusted me to guide them through something new. Thank you for showing up with open minds and willing hands. It was an absolute joy to share these skills with you.

Want to Learn These Stitches Too?

If you’re curious about hand sewing but couldn’t make it to the workshop, I’ve put together a free downloadable guide covering the same stitches we practised in class.

It’s all on one page, so its printer friendly, and is a great starting point for anyone wanting to build confidence with a needle and thread.

You can also check out my recent blog on 6 Essential Stitches for Hand Sewing here.

And if you’d like to be the first to hear about future workshops, feel free to join the mailing list (sign up at the bottom of this page) or follow along on social media. I’d love to see you at the next one!

The demo sampler I used to show each stitch during the workshop. A simple reference to help participants during the workshop.