Sentimental Stitching: Keepsake Quilt Workshop

Create a meaningful keepsake quilt from treasured fabrics with our textiles & fashion short courses in Sydney!

Turn much-loved clothing and textiles into something you can use, display, and treasure for years to come. In this hands-on Sentimental Keepsake Quilt Workshop, you’ll learn how to transform personal fabrics—such as baby clothes, family garments, or special textiles—into a thoughtfully designed quilt.

Designed with beginners in mind, this workshop focuses on simple, accessible techniques and a supportive, step-by-step approach. You’ll learn how to select suitable fabrics, plan a patchwork layout, and construct a small quilt while building confidence with each stage of the process.

Working with your own garments and materials, you’ll create a small cot-sized or lap quilt (approximately 60 × 80 cm). Along the way, you’ll explore how colour, pattern, and fabric choice can help tell a story through your design.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed your quilt top, prepared the quilt layers, and practised simple quilting or finishing techniques. You’ll also receive guidance on how to complete or extend your quilt at home if needed.

This workshop offers a practical introduction to quilting and upcycling, and a rewarding way to give new life to fabrics that hold personal meaning.

Below is an example of a quilt created by our tutor, Mora, to illustrate the techniques used in this workshop. Please note that this image does not represent the size of the blanket made in class.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Sentimental Keepsake Quilt workshop, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

• Selecting and preparing suitable garments and textiles for quilting
• Planning a simple patchwork layout for a small quilt
• Cutting fabric accurately and safely
• Using a sewing machine to assemble a quilt top
• Layering and preparing a quilt for basic quilting or finishing
• Understanding how to complete or extend your quilt at home

Course content

What will be covered in this Sentimental Keepsake Quilt workshop?

During the workshop, participants will work with techniques and ideas such as:

• Choosing and preparing upcycled fabrics
• Colour, pattern, and layout planning
• Cutting and organising patchwork pieces
• Constructing a quilt top
• Preparing quilt layers (top, batting, backing)
• Simple quilting and finishing techniques
• Tips for continuing or expanding your project at home

Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and the tutor’s approa

Intended audience

Who is this Sentimental Keepsake Quilt workshop for?

This workshop is ideal for beginners with little or no quilting experience, as well as confident beginners looking to build their sewing skills.

It’s ideal for anyone interested in creating a meaningful, handmade quilt from personal fabrics, or exploring sustainable textile practices through upcycling.

No prior quilting experience is required.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Accessibility: This class takes place in an upper-level room accessible by stairs only. The lift is currently out of service. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Course materials

What to bring to class:

Participants are asked to bring:

• Upcycled garments or fabrics for the quilt top (e.g. baby clothes, adult clothing, or other textiles)
• Each item should be large enough to cut 15 × 15 cm squares
• Approximately 20 squares in total
• Backing fabric (new or repurposed, such as a sheet)

The tutor will provide:

• Quilt batting / wadding
• Fusible interfacing
• Quilting spray adhesive

Further guidance on materials will be provided prior to the workshop. All sewing machines and basic tools are provided.