Sewing - Make an Ingenious and Useful 'Rice' Bag [SSK]

Course intent

A Japanese Rice Bag or Komebukuro bag is a beautiful and useful boxy, draw-string bag, traditionally used in Japan to carry rice offerings to temple during important ceremonies or made to hold a gift for a special friend or relative for a special event. Enjoy a creative day of sewing in a relaxed and friendly environment. Make an attractive, lined Rice Bag, approximately a 6 inch cube, that can be drawn up at the top and tied to secure its contents. Close it up to transport, then open it up to easily see what is inside. Choose to make it to suit any occasion – an environmentally friendly gift bag, an organiser for small things for those flying the nest or going on holiday, a smaller one could contain rose petals or confetti for brides-maids or a slightly larger one could store nappies. It’s so versatile.

What will we cover?

This hands-on workshop will suit beginners and improvers. You will be lead through the following using instruction and tutor demonstrations:

• The safe and effective use of a rotary cutter and sewing machine
• Preparation of fabrics and components
• Optional decorative techniques – applique, patchwork, addition of other components
• Optional pockets
• Machine quilting
• Construction of cube corners
• Making and attaching the lining

There will be opportunities to share ideas with other learners and have individual progress discussions with the tutor. Recording pertinent points from discussions and important technical points in a note-pad would be beneficial to refer to at a later date. Creativity will be encouraged.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

This workshop will suit beginners and improvers to sewing and patchwork. Familiarity with fabric, thread and the ability to straight stitch on a sewing machine will be beneficial.

As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

A ‘needs list’ will be sent out before the start of the workshop which will include what you need to bring and where to source fabrics.

• You are required to provide your own fabrics, thread and additional components for your individual project and for testing techniques and machine stitches.
• You will also need basic sewing equipment, eg pins, tape measure, fabric marker and scissors etc.
• A notepad, pen and pencil will always be useful.

Rotary cutters, mats, cutting rulers and sewing machines belonging to the centre are available to use during the workshop.

What can I do when I finish the course?

Learners can progress onto other Arts & Crafts courses with SAL.

The tutor will be happy to assist learners wishing to build a portfolio of work for entry to Further Education or alternative courses of study with other providers.

Additional information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class. Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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