Sewing Clothes for Beginners

The course is intended to equip you with a comprehensive set of basic skills that you can develop and apply to a range of clothing types. Learn how to use and maintain a sewing machine, work with paper patterns, and understand different fabrics. We’ll practice basic techniques on small samples, then apply them to constructing a simple top – a versatile pattern that can be customised in many ways to suit your style, in a fabric of your choice. Please let us know your UK dress size in the comments section at checkout so that we can order you a pattern to fit. Students will be walked through the process of making a garment with sustainability in mind. We’ll talk about fibres, textile production, and textile waste amongst other important topics. You will be encouraged to develop a practice of zero waste sewing.

Sewing clothes for beginners is suitable for complete beginners, or anyone with limited experience who wants to firm up the basics. We have a sewing machine available for each student; but you can bring your own if you like. And don’t worry if you might miss one or two classes: we’ve plenty of opportunities to catch up through our additional Sunday Sewing Sessions or private tuition.

Outcomes

1. A basic set of sewing skills; a basic understanding of how to make clothes; and the confidence to go on and try more.
2. A beautiful top made by you, to fit your body and in the fabric and style of your choice.
3. A sample book, made by you and full of the techniques you’ve learned. Use this for future reference.
4. An understanding of how to make clothes that consider the impact on people and the planet.
5. A Making Clothes for Beginners e-book for future reference.

Course cost includes: 

• 10 x 3-hour lessons
• Use of 230DC Janome computerized sewing machine each
• Use of 6234XL overlocker (shared between students)
• Top pattern (please let us know your UK dress size in the comments section at checkout so that we can order you a pattern to fit)

Course cost excludes:

• Cost of fabric and haberdashery

Topics Covered:

• How to use a sewing pattern (including zero waste sewing patterns)
• Taking body measurement and determining pattern size
• How to cut fabric
• Parts of the sewing machine
• Sewing basic stitches and  seams
• Fitting tips
• Darts, gathering and pleats
• Seam finishes
• Hems