Cath Kidston patchwork course in Cornwall

Kirsten doing patchwork on Cath Kidston course

Photo Credit: David Griffin

There’s something incredibly satisfying about the thrift craft of patchwork. Combining pieces of fabric to create something new means you can constantly recycle clothes, furnishings and oddments of fabric.

I’ve been learning patchwork for the last couple of years and have made a few quilts and cushions. However, the emphasis in Cath Kidston’s new book 'Patch!' is very much on household items rather than quilts.

Projects include a laundry bag, cushions, a curtain panel and a stuffed dog. It’s a beautiful book, full of stunning photography, and is sure to inspire anyone who loves fabrics and sewing.

Having seen the book, I was really excited about going on the Cath Kidston patch break at Bedruthan Steps Hotel in Cornwall, which is for beginners and expert crafters alike.

The hotel
Bedruthan Steps is a large, four-star eco hotel situated between Newquay and Padstow in the seaside village of Mawgan Porth. It was built in 1959 and, although the exterior looks rather brutalist, the interior is a haven of comfort and style. Our room was large and bright with a spectacular view over the bay.

It’s a family-friendly hotel, with indoor and outdoor pools, childcare services and children’s clubs on offer. This being term time there were very few children about, although there were some parents with young babies. Thoughtfully, there are separate dining areas for families so that adults without children can eat in peace.

The hotel spa has an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, an oversized spa pool and various spa treatments on offer. We luxuriated there at the end of the first day to swim and relax our tired sewing muscles – fabulous.

The course
On the first morning I headed down to the craft room, where our teacher Lisa awaited us. The room was a patchwork of floral designs, with every table covered in a different Cath Kidston tablecloth. There was a large work table and several smaller tables with sewing machines.

There were six of us on the course, with varying degrees of experience. Lisa explained that the first thing we would be making was a patchwork tote bag. She handed each of us an envelope containing two lengths of Cath Kidston fabric and explained how to draw out the shapes on the back of the fabric using a ruler and set square. We had to cut out 17 squares from each piece of fabric, plus a pocket, base and handles, which took most of the morning. (These days, most experienced patchworkers use rotary cutters, self-healing mats and quilter’s rulers to cut out their shapes, but for beginners it’s best to start with scissors.)

Lisa was an attentive teacher, explaining and demonstrating the techniques very clearly and going around the room to check how we were doing. It soon became apparent that some of us were slower than others, and Lisa handled this by dividing the class in two and explaining the next step in turn to each group. She also mucked in with the cutting and ironing, which was a great help.

Once we’d cut out our shapes, we machine-sewed the squares in rows of three, alternating the fabrics. We then sewed the rows together to make one long rectangle, joined the ends to make a cyclinder, put in the base, sewed the lining and base together, attached it to the bag, sewed on the handles and voilà – a tote bag (left). That makes it sound easy, but it took about five hours in all. We were all very proud of our bags at the end of the day. In fact, I used mine to carry my towel and swimsuit to the spa later!

The next day’s project was a Dresden plate cushion (top left), which uses a combination of patchwork, appliqué and hand-quilting and involves sewing around paper templates. It’s a really effective design, and Cath Kidston’s book comes with all the fabric you need to make one for yourself.

By now we were all a lot more relaxed with one another and had a great time sitting around the large work table, chatting and sewing. None of us managed to finish this one but we’ve all promised ourselves we will soon…

Find out more
The next Cath Kidston patchwork weekends will be held at Bedruthan Steps on 29-31 January 2012 and 9–11 March 2012 and cost £340 per person for a two-night break. All materials and kit are supplied, as well as Cath Kidston’s book, a pin cushion and tape measure.

Welcome drinks and dinner are provided on your arrival day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and morning and afternoon refreshments are provided on day one of the course, and breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon refreshments are provided on day two (departure day).
This break is led by Lisa Comfort from London sewing café Sew Over It on behalf of Cath Kidston.