With Elaine Hobden

For adults

Transform Your Sewing and Unlock Your Overlock Potential! (Term-Time Only)

Join our friendly Autumn Term pop-up Saturday workshops for a relaxed yet informative three-hour session 13:00 - 16:00pm focused on mastering your overlocker (or serger, as it's also known).

You'll be guided through the process of achieving perfect results by understanding the interplay of threads and tension settings. You'll learn practical techniques, such as inserting elastic without specialised feet and adding elegant trims to your edges. We'll also cover creating beautiful hems and seams using 2, 3, and 4 threads, experimenting with different thread types and cords, and understanding how to use tension and loopers to achieve precise outcomes.

Whether you're passionate about crafting, bag making, or dressmaking and are considering an overlocker, or if you already own one and are keen to unlock its full potential, these workshops are designed for you.

What You'll Learn:

• Understand how to thread and operate an overlocker.
• Explore the various effects achievable with the machine.
• Create a sample book for future reference

Our experienced and qualified sewing and textiles tutor, Elaine, will provide clear and friendly guidance, supporting you in building a solid understanding of the fundamental skills required to confidently use your overlocker.

These pop-up workshops are ideal for both complete beginners and those with some experience who wish to deepen their knowledge of their machine and the impressive, professional finishes it can create.

What to Bring:

Please bring your own working 3 or 4 thread standard domestic overlocker along to the workshop. For everyone's safety, kindly ensure your machine has a current Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) certificate with an in-date sticker as confirmation before the session begins. (The Dart Team can also arrange PAT if you contact them)

We will provide all the necessary threads and fabrics for the learning activities. Please note that the focus will be on learning techniques and creating a useful collection of samples for your reference, rather than completing a specific project. We recommend bringing a notebook to secure your samples and jot down the settings used to achieve each result. The camera or video function on your phone can also be a helpful tool.

About the Tutor:

Hello, I'm Elaine Hobden, a lifelong garment maker with a passion for sharing the art of dressmaking. I honed my skills through a City and Guilds Fashion and Design course, where I learned the intricacies of designing garments, drafting and cutting patterns, and the professional techniques of garment construction. My unique touch involves combining hand embroidery with machine embroidery to add a personal flair to my designs.


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Autumn 2025

Overlocker Session - Saturday 4th October
13:00 - 16:00

Overlocker Session - Saturday 15th November 
13:00 - 16:00 

Overlocker Session - Saturday 13th November 
13:00 - 16:00

If you have any questions, call us on 01489 779471 or email community@thedart.co.uk.