Beginners sewing and dressmaking course

Duration - 6 weeks

Cost £180

This is a brand new 6 week course aimed at beginners and refreshers. Throughout the 6 weeks you will learn lots of essential sewing skills to take you right from learning the basics of the sewing machine, through to making a skirt with lots of fun along the way!! You will make a variety of projects throughout the course to practice your new skills, all to take home and show off! The 6 week course aims to build your confidence in using a sewing machine and develop and progress your skills. With 6 consecutive weeks and a massive 18 hours of sewing, it is an ideal opportunity to consolidate skills and really get to grips with sewing over a short period. Perfectly timed to put your new skills into practice with some handmade gifts for Christmas!

Week 1: Sewing machine basics and learn to make a cushion cover

Learn how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin, sew basic machine stitches (straight stitch, back stitch, zig zag) and simple trouble shooting tips. Put these skills into practice by making an envelope cushion cover.

Week 2: Consolidation of sewing machine skills and learn to make a tote bag with pocket

Continue building on skills learnt in week one. Learn about different seams and use a French seam to make a simple tote bag with internal/external pocket.

This simple tote bag is perfect for light shopping, folders or newspapers and for folding up into your handbag for those spontaneous trips to the shops. You could also choose to make a smaller bag for a little person in your life - just the right size for carrying their favourite toy or random bits and bobs that they tend to collect! They would make gorgeous gifts too! Customise for male/female/young/old by just choosing the right fabric.

Week 3: Learn how to insert a zip and make a zipped pouch

Learn how to insert a zip using a zipper foot and make a gorgeous lined zipped pouch. Choose from 3 different styles and a selection of fabrics to suit your style and the intended use. These zipped pouches can be used for literally anything - stationery, sewing kit, make up, board game pieces, playing cards, jewellery…….

They would make a fantastic personalised gift for someone.

You will learn:

Cutting out of fabric accurately
applying interfacing to give structure to projects
Changing feet on the machine and use of the zipper foot
Inserting a zip
Attaching a lining to the pouch
Top stitching
Sewing gusset corners if sewing the ‘boxy’ pouch

Week 4: Understanding commercial patterns

This week will be all about commercial sewing patterns which can be very confusing and baffling if you haven’t used one before.

You will learn:

How to measure yourself accurately
How to translate your body measurements and use the pattern tables to determine how which size pattern to cut and how much fabric and notions to buy
How to select which pattern pieces to use
Common symbols and abbreviations used on sewing patterns
How to identify the selvedge and grainline of fabric and layout your pattern pieces correctly on the fabric
Methods used to transfer pattern markings onto the fabric.

This session will prepare for the skirt project in weeks 5 and 6.

Weeks 5 and 6: Make a skirt

Bring together all of the skills you have learnt in weeks 1-4 and add some more!! Learn some new dressmaking skills and make either an A-line or pencil skirt! New Look 6843 is a classic skirt pattern and a perfect project for beginner dressmakers. This was the very first garment I made for myself 4 years ago!!

Additional skills you will learn:

How to lengthen/shorten pattern pieces if required
How to sew darts
How to attach a waistband
How to insert a standard zipper
How to sew an automatic buttonhole using the machine

What is included:

Janome sewing machines and basic sewing tools provided to use
Fabric and all materials included for weeks 1-3 (you are welcome to bring your own along if suitable)
Photographic step by step handouts with instructions to repeat the projects at home
New Look 6843 pattern for final skirt project worth £6.95. If this pattern is not the right size for you then another suitable alternative one will be sourced.
Tea/Coffee

What you need to bring:

Materials for final skirt project to include fabric, matching thread, zip and button. You will be advised on how much fabric to bring and what sort of fabric to choose during the course.

Additional information

**This course needs a minimum of 3 people to run.**

Maximum of 6 spaces.

You need to be able to attend all 6 sessions.

This is the first time this course will be run so there may be slight variations to the projects introduced along the way to enhance the quality of the experience and adapt to indiviual’s needs.

Lorna says:

“I am so excited to introduce this new course. It offers great value for money and combines several of my popular workshops all into a 6 week ‘intense course’. People will really have lots of opportunity to learn, develop and progress their skills all within a sociable and friendly setting. Learning together is so much fun and people really benefit from the support of others and sharing ideas. To be able to start right from the beginning as a sewing newbie or refresher, and end 6 weeks later by having made a skirt is very exciting. The New Look 6843 skirt was the very first garment I made for myself 4 years ago so I know it was a great start for me !!“