Dressmaking for Beginners
Booking for September - dates TBC in late summer
Dressmaking for Beginners
Sewing your own clothes is a thoroughly rewarding, enjoyable and addictive hobby. On this ten week course, you will learn how to get the best out of your sewing machine and learn dressmaking skills and techniques in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Course Content This course is entry-level and designed for people who want to learn basic sewing terminology, technique, tool fundamentals, fabric cutting and pattern reading. It is ideal for people who have never sewed or who are beginner sewers looking to improve their skills. This ten-week interactive course combines theory and practice, and will cover:
- Essential sewing tools and sewing machine fundaments
- Stitching varieties
- Fabric types and behaviours
- Pattern reading
- Cutting techniques
- Sewing a variety of seams
- Basic zip insertion
- Making and attaching pockets
- Sewing fasteners
- Button holing
- Sewing hems and attaching decorative edges
- Sewing darts, pleats, and gathers
- Taking body measurements
- Adapting patterns to fit
- Sewing machine (essential)
- Snippers or embroidery scissors
- Seam ripper
- Pins and pin cushion
- Bobbins
- Thread (spooled)
- Cutting scissors
- Tape measure
- Pencil and notepad
About the tutor
Helen Goddard
I am a garment maker with many years of experience, a sewer and designer for theatre for the last ten years, a constructor of all things made from textile as well as enjoying making textile art. I have been teaching people to sew for over 40 years, have teaching qualifications and qualifications in many elements of textile surface design. I really enjoy teaching people to sew, and develop their creative skills. Clothing design and construction techniques are a particular interest to me as are the qualities of textiles and the use of the sewing machine.
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