Making, Mending and Upcycling Clothes

About this course

This course develops clothes-making skills through projects focused on constructing, mending and restyling garments. Participants work with commercial patterns, calculate sizing from body measurements and make basic adjustments for individual fit. Upcycling techniques include appliqué, embroidery, couching and decorative stitching, alongside pattern layout and garment construction methods. Learning takes place through interactive workshops, experimentation, collaboration and individual project work. Progress is monitored through project work and participation in class.

What you'll learn

• Construct and finish a garment using a commercial pattern or by refitting and restyling an existing garment.
• Calculate pattern sizes and make basic adjustments using individual body measurements.
• Apply mending and upcycling techniques including appliqué, embroidery, couching and decorative stitching.
• Interpret pattern layouts, grainlines, selvedges and instruction sheets during garment construction.
• Use garment-making machinery safely and correctly.

Is this course right for you?

The course is open to complete beginners and learners with limited or previous sewing experience. Participation centres on interactive workshops, collaboration and individual project work. Learners should be able to speak, read and write in English; basic numeracy may help but is not essential.

• Suitable for learners with limited or previous sewing experience.
• English speaking, reading and writing skills are expected.
• Basic numeracy is helpful but not essential.

Before you go

• Additional costs for materials apply.