NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 1 | 2:30-5:30
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing
School
Sold Out
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Sunday, November 2 | 1:00-4:00
No-Two-Alike 9-Patch Technique
Empire Make Space
The 9-Patch block is a classic in traditional patchwork quilts. In this workshop, Johanna will show you how to easily make a coordinated set of “no-two-alike” blocks, taking the guesswork out of combining fabrics. We will cover practical cutting techniques, as well as how to achieve an accurate seam allowance and best practices for pressing.
Monday, November 3 | 11:00-2:00
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing
School
Sold Out
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Saturday, November 8
Secrets of a Patchwork Pro:
Quilt Math
Sew Squad with Libs
Elliott
Quilt Math can be fun! Let Johanna show you how to do the math that quilting often requires.
You'll learn how to calculate fabric requirements for sashings, bindings, borders, and backings, as well as for the patchwork units within quilt blocks. You will learn some handy formulas and practical strategies for using them to your best advantage.
Best of all, no math test at the end! Just a chance to feel more confident in your calculations and give your quilting skills a boost.
Sunday, November 9 | 3:00-6:00
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing
School
Sold Out
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Monday, November 10 | 7:00 pm
Talk: Modular Quilting: Making Big Quilts at Home
Durham Trillium
Quilters’ Guild
If actually quilting your quilts, even the small ones, is the part of the process you enjoy the least, you are definitely not alone. Let Johanna Masko help you get your quilts- ALL the quilts- finished! Save money and time by using her practical modular quilting techniques to complete even very large quilts, on your own, at home.
Friday, November 14 | 11:00-2:00
Herringbone Patchwork
Fabric Spark
Brick garden paths and ceramic tiles are often arranged in a beautiful, woven-look Herringbone pattern. In this workshop, we will learn to use “partial seam” construction to reproduce the Herringbone design in fabric. This gorgeous patchwork is an ideal project for using 2 1/2” pre-cut “jellyroll” strips, and is also a lovely way to use some of your favourite scraps.
Saturday, November 15 | 11:00-2:00
Patchwork Christmas Stocking
Toronto Sewing
School
Let's get in the holiday spirit together and join up to make Patchwork Christmas Stockings! We have sourced all kinds of wintry and Christmas-inspired fabrics for this fun and easy all-materials-included workshop.
Quilting and sewing expert Johanna Masko will walk you through this 3-hour workshop. You’ll learn quilting and construction techniques, and you’ll finish with a gorgeous, quilted Christmas stocking!
All materials, including sewing machine, are provided. Let's get ready for the holidays together and sew up this beautiful and festive project!
Saturday, November 15 & 22 | 3:00-6:00
QAYGO (Quilt As You Go) Tote
Toronto Sewing
School
QAYGO aka the “Quilt As You Go” technique accomplishes patchwork and quilting at the same time, which is well suited for small- to medium-sized projects that will additionally be lined. This roomy, practical tote can be made very simply with large-scale patchwork on just one side, or it can be constructed with a multitude of your favourite fabrics on both sides. Either way, your QAYGO Tote might just become your favourite bag, ever!
*LIVE ONLINE SERIES (4 DATES)
Monday, Nov. 17 & 24, Dec. 1 & 8 | 6:30-8:30
Around the Block With Johanna Masko
Fabric Spark
Are you hoping to become a better quilter? Do you want to set yourself up for success and a finished product you're happy with?
Johanna Masko has put together a fantastic series of block-based workshops to help take your quilting skills and confidence to the next level! She's chosen four block patterns and will hold a two-hour session on each block to help you master the skills to make that block. You'll learn techniques and methods that will allow you to take on more complex quilt patterns, and have more successful outcomes. This Friday evening class is a great way to end the week with a little creativity and skill building!
Each block workshop will help improve your:
▪ Block construction - piecing strategies, associated quilt math and efficient cutting and assembly.
▪ Fabric selection - incorporating feature fabrics, blenders, and getting more from your background fabrics. Working successfully with larger scale prints, directionality, and solids.
▪ Perfect vs. Workable and knowing when to pursue them - You'll be better able to set yourself up for success if you know when precision really matters and some great cutting, assembly and ironing tips to help you achieve that.
Block 1 - Lily - Learn how to use larger scale prints, create clean intersections and matching points, learn to assemble with squares on point, as well as how to choose impactful backgrounds.
Block 2 - Daisy Twist - Learn small-scale piecing, construct no-trim HSTs, create a flat "pinwheel" intersection.
Block 3 - Rosey Posey - Create a block construction strategy for less conventional blocks, including using a template, getting the right measurements, and cutting accurately.
Block 4 - Ocean Waves - Building on the diagonal, working with bias edges, and understanding fabric grain. You'll also learn mathematics strategies to calculate block measurements for efficient construction.
Who should take this class? You're already making quilts, but want to advance your skills. Maybe you have doubts, or have had mixed success in your making and want to add to your skills, abilities, and confidence to take on either a more complex quilt pattern, or to have better outcomes.
NOTE: This class will take place online (not at the store). Johanna will be teaching live, so you will be able to ask questions and get answers in real time!
Tuesday, November 18 | 6:00-9:00
Intro to Sewing: Envelope Pillow Case
Empire Make Space
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Friday, November 21 | 1:30-5:00
Cross Stitch
Fabric Spark
Science agrees with what many of us knew all along: Crafting provides creative satisfaction, boosts mood, improves cognitive function, and promotes overall mental well being. As a bonus, you have something beautiful to show for it!
In this introductory class, you will learn to read a cross stitch pattern, prepare your fabric, work with a frame, and my best methods for working with colour as you stitch an original floral design created just for beginners.
Saturday, November 22 | 11:00-2:00
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing
School
Sold Out
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Sunday, November 23 | 1:00-4:00
Patchwork Christmas Stocking
Empire Make Space
’Tis the season for cute, handmade patchwork stockings! This roomy “string-pieced” stocking has great proportions - big enough to hold lots of goodies for your favourite folks! This delightful striped stocking is constructed using the “foundation piecing” technique, giving us a durable patchwork panel with a built-in lining. The simplified construction makes quick work of whipping up personalized stockings for your friends and family, even when the holidays are fast approaching. Workshop students will be offered a beautiful variety of pre-cut strips - as well as backing fabric options - so we can focus on making the best stockings, ever!
Tuesday, Nov. 25 & Dec. 2 | 6:00-9:00
QAYGO (Quilt As You Go)Tote
Empire Make Space
QAYGO aka the “Quilt As You Go” technique accomplishes patchwork and quilting at the same time, which is well suited for small- to medium-sized projects that will additionally be lined. This roomy, practical tote can be made very simply with large-scale patchwork on just one side, or it can be constructed with a multitude of your favourite fabrics on both sides. Either way, your QAYGO Tote might just become your favourite bag, ever!
Wednesday, November 26 | 6:00-9:00
Learn To Sew Workshop: Machine Sewing For Beginners
Hemme Custom
Discover the joy of making something beautiful with your own hands. This 3-hour evening workshop is designed for absolute beginners — whether you’ve never threaded a machine or it’s been years since your last stitch.
You’ll leave with new skills and a finished piece to show off — plus, fair warning, a budding fabric addiction and a growing stash of remnants. Come for the craft, stay for the creativity (and the good company)!
Saturday, November 29 | 3:00-5:30
Simple Mending For Busy People
Toronto Sewing
School
Sold Out
You only need a needle, thread, and a pair of sharp snips to repair your clothes and to maintain your everyday home textiles!
In this workshop, you will learn the basics of sewing by hand with the most useful stitch techniques to prolong the life of your favourite clothes and household goods. Learning this important life skill will build your confidence in doing things for yourself and will help you save money, too!
Sunday, Nov. 30 & Dec. 7 | 3:00-6:00
Wholecloth Baby Quilt
Toronto Sewing
School
Whether you’re new to quilting or have been making quilted projects for some time, the Wholecloth Baby Quilt will change the way you think about quilt construction! Using one piece of fabric for the top (the “whole cloth”) and another single piece for the back, this little quilt proceeds directly to finishing techniques - offering clear and simple answers to the “what should I do next?” question. The Wholecloth Baby Quilt is made entirely by machine in this two-part class.
DECEMBER
Wednesday, December 3 | 6:00-9:00
Learn To Sew Workshop: Machine Sewing For Beginners
Hemme Custom
Discover the joy of making something beautiful with your own hands. This 3-hour evening workshop is designed for absolute beginners — whether you’ve never threaded a machine or it’s been years since your last stitch.
You’ll leave with new skills and a finished piece to show off — plus, fair warning, a budding fabric addiction and a growing stash of remnants. Come for the craft, stay for the creativity (and the good company)!
Saturday, December 6 | 11:00-2:00
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing
School
Sold Out
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Wednesday, December 10 | 6:00-9:00
Learn to Cross Stitch
Hemme Custom
Looking for a creative project that travels well — something you can pick up whenever inspiration strikes? Cross stitch embroidery is a beautiful way to slow down, work with your hands, and create something meaningful with minimal setup.
This beginner-friendly, 3-hour evening workshop is designed for those with no experience or novices looking to improve their skills.
Saturday, December 13
Improvised Patchwork Lettering
Sew Squad with Libs
Elliott
Make a statement with Improvised Patchwork Lettering!
In this workshop, we will break down the alphabet into groups with similar characteristics. By applying specific construction strategies, we will bring our bold letterforms to life in fabric.
Johanna will discuss effective fabric selection and share a variety of typeface inspiration to help you confidently have your say in patchwork.
Tuesday, December 16 | 6:00-9:00
English Paper Piecing
Empire Make Space
A great choice for precise, geometric patchwork, English Paper Piecing is sewn completely by hand. This fun, take-it-anywhere technique shows off clever fussycuts and is a beautiful way to use your favourite scraps. In addition to traditional hexagons, this method works equally well for diamonds, half-hexagons, jewel shapes and more. This 3-hour workshop is suitable for all levels, from beginners to veteran sewists.