Dressmaking for beginners and improvers (am) new course starts September 2022
This 10 week course is for complete beginners to dressmaking or those with some sewing experience.
You’ll learn how to make a garment of your choice using a commercial (shop bought) pattern.
The course will take you through the whole process including taking personal measurements, selecting and cutting the correct size, cutting out fabric, sewing darts, pleats and seams, inserting zips and stitching hems. Sewing machines and overlockers are available to use although you may find it useful to have your own sewing machine to continue your garment and practise sewing techniques at home.
Please come to the first class with a dressmaking pattern and fabric. It is advisable to make up a toile (practise garment) first in calico or other cheap fabric to ensure a good fit, before making up the garment in a more expensive and higher quality fashion fabric. This will also give you the chance to try out the techniques needed for your garment without worrying about mastering these on the first attempt.
Complete beginners are advised to make a simple garment such as a skirt or loose fitting / pyjama trousers. Students can contact us in advance of the course for advice.
Those with experience of using commercial patterns can bring a pattern for a garment of their choice.
What you will need
Please come to the first class with a dressmaking pattern and fabric.
Complete beginners are advised to make a simple garment such as a skirt or loose fitting / pyjama trousers. Students can contact us in advance of the course for advice.
Those with experience of using commercial patterns can bring a pattern for a garment of their choice.
Please also bring with you a note book, your sewing kit (to include fabric scissors and snips, pins, quick unpick tool, hand sewing needles and thread.) If you’re bringing your own sewing machine please make sure you’ve got your power cable.
Covid precautions
Whilst we continue to live with Covid where at all possible please bring your own sewing machine and sewing kit. Resources are available on-site if necessary. Please view our Covid-19 page for the latest guidance.
Refreshments
Drinks and biscuits will be available but we recommend that you bring a packed lunch with you.
Photography
During all of our workshops photographs are taken for promotional purposes only. Please make us aware at the time of booking if you would prefer not to be included.
Tutor
Julia Hincks
Julia is a teacher, author and lover of yarn and fabric crafts. After completing a degree in Business and Management, Julia qualified as a mathematics teacher at Cambridge University in 2001 and has worked in education ever since, teaching at schools and colleges across Sussex. Julia has always sewn, knitted and crocheted and in 2006 she completed a Diploma in Art and Design, specialising in Fashion and Pattern Cutting. In 2008 Julia began teaching creative crafts to adults at City College in Brighton and has also worked at a number of other adult education centres in the city. In 2014 her first book 'The Overlocker Technique Manual' was published and has become a bestselling craft book. Her second book 'The Coverstitch Technique Manual' will be released in September 2021. You can find more about Julia and her latest projects on her website at www.juliahincks.com and www.houseofmisssew.com
