Sewing and Craft Workshops in Manchester

Ministry of Craft is a sewing and craft workshop provider in Manchester, and it has been running classes since 2008. The workshops are friendly and sociable, and they are open to adults of all ages and abilities. The courses fall into three groups: Sewing, For the Home, and Knitting, Crochet and Sashiko. Owner Alison Leese leads the sewing classes. She is an experienced seamstress and a qualified textiles teacher. Private workshops can also be booked.

The prices vary a lot depending on the length of the course. Learn to Sew in a Day costs £95.00, while the Learn to Sew Course costs £110.00 and runs over three weeks. The first week covers threading, bobbins, seam guides and making a tote bag. The second week covers cushion covers, one-step buttonholes and attaching buttons, and you need to bring 50cm of medium-weight woven cotton, two buttons of about 25mm and matching thread. The third week is about zips, and you make a lined makeup bag. Shorter options include the Fabric Lampshade at £45.00, where you make a 30cm drum shade in fabric of your choice with a kit included, and the Arm Knitted Blanket at £35.00. The Introduction to Bodice Fitting costs £85.00 and suits people who already have some machine experience. You do not bring your own sewing machine, as the workshops use Janome computerised machines and overlockers. You can bring your own manual, and tea and coffee are provided. Lunch is recommended.

There are three workshop venues in Manchester, and each one hosts classes on different days. Bamber Sewing Machines, at 445-449 Liverpool Road, Eccles, M30 7HY, holds workshops on Saturdays. It is about a minute from Junction 11 of the M60, next to the Trafford Centre. There is a free car park at the rear of the shop and some on-street parking. The classroom is up one flight of stairs. Buses 10 and 67 stop outside The Grapes Hotel, and Eccles Tram or Train Station is about a 30-minute walk away. Home Studio Chorlton, at 204 Oswald Road, M21 9GW, runs workshops on weekdays and weekends. There is on-street parking nearby, Firswood tram stop is a five-minute walk away, and bus 86 stops on Manchester Road, about four minutes on foot. Humbug Art, at The Yard, 1A Chadwick Road, Eccles, M30 0NZ, hosts workshops at weekends. It has its own small car park and is a few minutes' walk from Eccles town centre and Metrolink.

Ministry of Craft has a 5-star rating on Google Maps from 85 reviews. Customers often mention Alison Leese, describing her as clear, friendly, patient and informative. One Facebook review says the writer loved the last three weeks of the course and called Alison an amazing teacher.

All courses must be booked and paid in full in advance, through the website by card or PayPal. Bank transfers are possible if you contact the business first. Workshops are non-refundable, but you can switch to another date with 14 days' notice. Gift and workshop vouchers are also available. Bookings for people aged 13 to 17 need to be discussed with the business, and children and unbooked guests are not allowed. You can reach the team on 07740 860390 or at info@ministryofcraft.co.uk.