Clothes Making Intermediate: The Tailored Trouser

About this course

Participants work from a basic trouser pattern to cut and construct a pair of men’s or women’s trousers, with scope for personal customisation according to their skills. The course combines production and craft methods, including construction of darts, slant pockets, a zip front fly, waistband and hems, alongside pressing techniques. Teaching alternates between whole-class demonstrations, discussion and examples, and one-to-one guidance. Hand-outs, samples and technical support materials are used where appropriate, with feedback provided during the course. Health and safety inductions cover the use of machinery and specialist equipment.

What you'll learn

• Interpret the overview and requirements of a basic trouser pattern
• Lay out, mark and cut trouser pieces
• Construct darts, slant pockets, a zip front fly and hems
• Apply pressing techniques during construction and to the completed garment

Is this course right for you?

This intermediate course is intended for learners who are beginners to tailoring but already have intermediate sewing skills. Hand sewing experience is not essential, although it would be advantageous. Classes combine group teaching with individual guidance, and activities may involve standing at high tables.

• Learners should be able to read, write and understand fluent English
• Digital, mathematics and numeracy skills are desirable but not essential

Before you go

• Bring a basic sewing kit, including fabric and trimming scissors, dressmaker’s pins, a tape measure, hand-sewing needles, a tracing wheel, an unpicker, a thimble, tailor’s chalk, paper scissors, matching thread, a notepad, pens, an HB pencil, sharpener and eraser.
• Participants must purchase their own fabric, haberdashery, interfacing and threads. A list of suitable materials and suppliers is provided during the first week; approximately 1.5 metres of fabric is recommended.
• Some activities involve standing at high tables. Learners should inform the tutor if this may be difficult. The studios have lift access to the first floor.
• Food and drink are not permitted in the fashion studios, although bottled water is allowed.
• A health and safety induction is provided before learners use machinery or specialist equipment.