Clothes Making Beginners: Understanding Fabric

About this course

Using a purchased commercial pattern, participants explore the principles of clothes making while working with a range of garment shapes. The course covers choosing an appropriate pattern size, making basic adjustments, interpreting pattern terminology and selecting fabrics before progressing to garment construction and finishing.

What you'll learn

• Select a commercial pattern size using personal body measurements
• Make basic pattern adjustments using simple methods
• Choose fabrics suitable for a garment project
• Interpret pattern terminology and instruction sheets
• Operate a sewing machine safely and correctly
• Construct and finish a simple garment to a good standard

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for complete beginners and learners with limited or no previous sewing experience. Participants work through demonstrations, examples and whole-class teaching, with individual guidance where appropriate. Basic English literacy and numeracy are required, and some activities involve standing at high tables and using a foot-operated sewing-machine control.

• Suitable for learners with limited or no previous experience
• Basic English speaking, reading and writing skills are required
• Basic numeracy skills are required
• Some pattern and fabric preparation takes place standing at high tables

Before you go

• Bring a pen, notebook and folder to the first lesson.
• A basic sewing kit and other equipment will be discussed in the first lesson and needed from the second lesson.
• Participants must provide fabrics and haberdashery for their project, and purchase a commercial pattern.
• Paper and card are available for use in the classroom.
• A sewing-machine bobbin is purchased through the tutor and is refundable at the end of the course.
• Pattern work and fabric cutting may involve standing at high tables; the tutor should be informed if this may be difficult.
• The fashion studios have lift access to the first floor.