Christmas Sewing Day

The SewCiety School is running a Christmas Sewing Day at St Paul's Church on Tuesday 22 December, from 9.15am to 3.15pm. It's for children aged 7 to 12, and the whole day is built around them picking their own festive project — a garment, a cushion, a bag or a handmade gift — and working through it from start to finish.

They don't just assemble a kit; they go through the full process. That means reading patterns, cutting fabric, construction and using a sewing machine, with beginner-friendly tuition to guide them. Once the sewing is done, they personalise the piece with festive fabrics, trims, embellishments and fabric paints, so they leave with something they've actually made themselves. All the materials and machines are provided, and beginners are more than welcome, so there's no need to bring your own kit.

There's a lunch break in the middle, so children will need to bring a packed lunch, snacks and a water bottle. The SewCiety School runs small-group sewing courses and creative workshops for children, teens and adults, with a St Albans programme based at St Paul's Church Hall. The venue itself, in Fleetville, is a church and community hub that hosts public talks, workshops and community events alongside its regular church programme.

The sewing day is part of a wider family-friendly winter programme of sewing workshops for children and teens, plus an adult sewing course and a flamenco performance. The day costs £120 and runs from 9.15am to 3.15pm on 22 December at St Paul's Church, Blandford Road, St Albans, AL1 4JP.