Clothes making II

About this course

The course combines practical demonstrations, workshop practice, group discussion and individual guidance. Participants work from a commercial pattern to cut and assemble a fitted top in stretch fabric, with the option of adapting it into a dress. Techniques include sewing neat seams, attaching collars or sleeves, inserting optional fastenings, pressing the garment and creating a hem with a twin needle. The course also introduces domestic sewing and overlocker techniques, grain lines and methods for handling stretchy fabric. Extension activities may include embellishment and additional work outside class.

What you'll learn

• Read and assemble a commercial pattern for a stretch-fabric top, or extend it into a dress.
• Cut fabric accurately while following grain lines.
• Construct neat seams suitable for a stretchy garment.
• Attach a collar, sleeves or fastenings where selected.
• Create and press a garment hem, including a twin-needle hem.
• Produce a finished top or dress using the techniques covered.

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for improvers with some basic sewing experience, as well as learners who want to refresh existing skills. Participation includes following written and spoken instructions, practical workshop work, group discussion and feedback. Learners should be able to use numbers and complete simple measurements and calculations.

• Suitable for learners refreshing basic sewing skills.
• Includes individual guidance alongside group discussion and feedback.
• Additional tasks may be set for completion at home.

Before you go

• Learners need to buy fabric and a suitable pattern for their chosen top or dress.
• Guidance on the pattern style, fabric type and quantity, haberdashery and relevant calculations is provided in the first week.
• The purchased pattern and fabric are needed for the second session.
• Other items may need to be purchased between sessions. Home tasks may require fabric scissors, pins and a tape measure.