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Sew Forest of Dean

Contact name: Jennifer Johnson
110
Total bookings
Rating
(51)
almost 6 years
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

In case we haven’t met before, I’m Jen Johnson and I run Sew Forest of Dean, teaching all aspects of sewing by machine or by hand. I’m also a crazy cat lady, wife to Ed and Mum to identical twins Oscar and Charlie. My workshops and courses take place in my purpose-built garden studio in Clearwell and my aim is very simple – to help get people sewing. My designs have been featured in British Patchwork and Quilting Magazine and I am qualified in Textiles, from Herefordshire Ludlow College.

Courses, kits & gifts

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"Through the Garden Gate" - Machine Embroidery Workshop
12 hours
Next date: 23rd Mar 2026
(2)
£130.00
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Beginner's Hand Embroidery Workshop
1 day
Next date: 27th Jan 2026
(1)
£65.00
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Beginner's Quilting Day "Wonky Donkey" with Sew Forest of Dean
1 day
Next date: 9th Jan 2026
(14)
£65.00
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Collage Quilting
1 day
Next date: 6th Feb 2026
£65.00
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Dressmaking Techniques
1 day
Next date: 19th Jan 2026
(2)
£65.00
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Fabric books and journals
1 day
Next date: 16th Mar 2026
(3)
£65.00
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Free machine embroidery - an introduction
1 day
Next date: 30th Jan 2026
(1)
£65.00
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Free Motion Quilting for the Terrified!
1 day
Next date: 6th Mar 2026
(3)
£65.00
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Improvisational Quilting
1 day
Next date: 27th Feb 2026
(2)
£65.00
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Learn to Love your Sewing Machine
1 day
Next date: 21st Jan 2026
(12)
£65.00
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Poppy Fields Hand Embroidery Day
1 day
Next date: 23rd Feb 2026
(1)
£65.00
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Quilting and Quilt As You Go
1 day
Next date: 13th Mar 2026
(2)
£65.00
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Reversible Tote Bag Pattern PDF Download
1 day
£7.80
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Sashiko Decorative Embroidery
1 day
Next date: 23rd Jan 2026
(2)
£65.00

Recent reviews

All maker's reviews
9 Nov 25'

Jodi reviewed: Poppy Fields Hand Embroidery Day

"I have just taken Jen’s Poppy Fields embroidery class and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am really happy with my embroidery. Jen is an excellent teacher and supplies a detailed handout to ensure you don’t forget any details if/when you’d like to make another embroidery. I would highly recommend taking the class. She also supplies a great homemade cake! "

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Hi Jodi, thank you for taking time to leave a review. You're embroidery was lovely and I really hope you make more in the future. I'm so glad you enjoyed the cake too! Best wishes and happy stitching, Jennifer"

7 Nov 25'

Selena reviewed: Beginner's Quilting Day "Wonky Donkey" with Sew Forest of Dean

"LOVED IT! Confess I was having a wobble by the time I turned up - I haven't done much machine sewing at all, and nothing for quite a long time. A little refresher on how to thread the machine the day before the workshop was all that I needed though - it's as simple as sewing simple straight lines. The instructions were clear and the workshop runs at a lovely steady pace - getting the hang of one thing before moving on to the next. It was great for those that were both fast and slow - those that can sew better just have less to do when they get home but each step can be practised with only a few pieces sewn together. To be clear, you won't come away with a completed quilt, but you will have practised the patchworking to make the patterned top, have made your binding for the edge of the quilt, and been shown how the rest of it comes together including really clear demonstrations and printed instructions and guidance. I am hopeful (and reasonably confident) that I will have a lovely squishy quilt in the next few weeks and that it will be the first of lots!"

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Thank you so much Selena, I'm so glad you had a good day and that you are now back up and running with your sewing skills. You made a really lovely job of all the tasks and you will have that gorgeous quilt finished in no time at all. Quilting is very addictive, here's to many years of happy sewing! Thanks again, Jen "

28 Oct 25'

Catherine Kangalee reviewed: Fabric books and journals

"Really enjoyed the day, Jen was very good at tailoring it to our needs and desires. Lovely space, relaxed day came away with new techniques and ideas. Would definitely recommend "

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Thank you so much Cath, it was lovely to see you and work on your mini landscapes. I can't wait to see how they all come together into your beautiful book. I hope to see you on another workshop, in the meantime, happy stitching 🧵"

16 Sep 25'

Sarah Miles reviewed: Beginner's Quilting Day "Wonky Donkey" with Sew Forest of Dean

"I am a beginner to patchwork and quilting and a day with Jen has inspired me to do more. Her competence and passion shone through and each stage was explained and demonstrated. And when it was our turn to give it a go, Jen was on hand to help. A thoroughly enjoyable day, thank you. "

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Thank you Sarah for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. It was a lovely, relaxing day with you all and the quilts were well on their way. I'm so pleased to have been at the start of your quilting journey. Happy stitching, Jennifer"

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