Sew capable course - Intermediate
Course duration: 12 hours total
Course price: £165
What will I make: a lined zipped bag, a blouse & pyjama bottoms
Course materials: £30 (optional)
Course Description
This is our most popular intermediate dressmaking sewing course. Our students usually progress to this course having already completed our Sew Complete course for beginners. The course is designed for those who know their way around a sewing machine and are ready to start sewing their next projects with more confidence. You need to be confident using a sewing machine, have already made a garment using a commercial pattern and are familiar with sewing a classic zip, button holes and hemming. With our help, you'll gain the confidence to apply professional finishing techniques to garments sewn using different type of fabrics.
Course Schedule
This dressmaking sewing course is usually made up of 4 x 3 hour sessions run over 4 consecutive weeks, but we also schedule crash courses. You can check our schedule by clicking the book button.
Session 1 - Make a Lined Pencil Case / Make Up Bag
During the first three hour session you will learn how to choose the appropriate fabric, get familiar with the sewing machine (unless you are bringing your own) and make a fully lined make-up bag or a pencil case. For this class you will need to bring along:
- Pencil case/make up bag fabric
- - 20-25cm of main fabric (your own choice to suit your taste)
- - 20-25cm of fabric for the lining
- - a regular 20-30cm zip depending on the bag size
- Buy fabric for the whole course for £30 when booking the course.
Session 2 - Using a Blouse Pattern
The first half of the session you will spend taking measurements, tracing a pattern for your blouse, understanding all pattern symbols, lay, mark and pin pattern to fabric, cut out and lean different ways of securing your fabric raw edges. The second half of the session you will have the chance to practice top stitching, learn a series of techniques including gathering, hemming, inserting elastics, attaching sleeves and working with bias. Please bring along the following materials:
- Blouse fabric - size 8-16
- - Either 2.0m (200cm) of 115cm wide lightweight cotton, linen blends, slightly drapey fabrics
- - Or 1.5m (150cm) of 140cm wide wide lightweight cotton, linen blends, slightly drapey fabrics
- - Matching thread
- - 2m of matching bias tape (ideally 2-2.5cm wide but slightly thinner is also possible)
- - 1.5m of thin elastic (1-1.5cm wide)
- Buy fabric for the whole course for £30 when booking the course.
Session 3 - Construct Your Blouse
During this session you will build on the work and skills covers in the last session. You will spend time putting together and completing your blouse and walk away with your brand new creation by the end of the class.
Session 4 - Make Pyjama Bottoms
During the last session we will be making ¾ or short style pyjama bottoms. This is a fun class where you can master a range of the sewing techniques. You can also choose from kids or mens pyjama pattern if you don’t fancy making one for yourself (please confirm your choice by email prior to the class). Please bring along the following materials:
- Pyjama fabric - ¾ style - size 8-16
- - Either 2.0m (200cm) of 115cm wide lightweight cotton, linen blends, jacquards (not very stretchy and thick fabric)
- - Or 1.8m (180cm) of 140cm wide lightweight cotton, linen blends, jacquards (not very stretchy and thick fabric)
- Pyjama fabric - shorts style- size 8-16
- - Either 1.0m (100cm) of 115cm wide lightweight cotton, linen blends, jacquards (not very stretchy and thick fabric)
- - Or 1.15m (115cm) of 140cm wide lightweight cotton, linen blends, jacquards (not very stretchy and thick fabric)
- Also required for either pyjama project
- - 1m (100cm) of matching ribbon for making the bow (optional)
- - Matching thread
- - 1m (100cm)of 2.5cm wide elastic
- - 1m (100cm) of matching ribbon
- Buy fabric for the whole course for £30 when booking the course.
Just to sew things up...
All machines, and equipment are provided, although if you would like to bring your own sewing machine to learn on, you are welcome to. You can buy all materials needed for this course for £30 (available when booking the class). Refreshments and biscuits are included and a glass of wine for all evening classes to help create a seamless atmosphere..
A few important T&Cs
Please take a moment to read the not so fun BUT nevertheless important terms and conditions regarding the sewing classes we run.
Gift vouchers
Looking for a different kind of gift idea? Learning to sew could make the perfect present. Check out our gift vouchers which can be used for any class or course.
Terms & Conditions
If you're looking for our T&C's then this is the place to look. Find all our terms and conditions about the sewing classes we run.
Work for us
Do you love sewing and crafting? Are you interested in working for us or looking for work experience? Send us your CV or a covering letter. We'd love to hear from you.
