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This is a beginners' course for people who have an interest in making their own garments from commercial patterns. It is designed for students who have limited or no previous garment making skills. Come along and share your interests and ideas with friendly people in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. This course is the perfect place to pick up useful garment making tips with a highly experienced tutor.
Students will work from an easy commercial pattern to construct a garment. Learn what the symbols on patterns mean, selecting appropriate fabric for your pattern, positioning pattern pieces onto the fabric, transfer markings onto the fabric and finally cut out and construct using a limited range of sewing skills learnt on the course.
With tutor support, by the end of the course students will be able to:
Take a full set of measurements.
Confidently choose a suitable commercial pattern.
Select appropriate fabric for a pattern.
Identify pattern symbols to be able to lay a pattern onto fabric, cut out and mark up.
Construct a garment using simple sewing techniques.
Understand and use some basic garment making terminology.
Create a safe working environment.
What will it be Like?
Teaching methods: Skills and knowledge will be learned initially through weekly visual demonstrations and verbal descriptions. Students will then work with tutor support to develop their skills.
Learning methods: hands-on practical activities, reading handouts, following verbal and written instruction, group discussion.
Your progress is assessed by questions and answers during group discussions and individual support. Practical work produced is evidence of learning. Individual advice is always available and verbal feedback, support and encouragement is given to you throughout the course.
What will I need to do or buy?
Students will need to buy their own suitable fabric. Advice will be given at the start of the course. All students are advised to begin with a simple pattern, chosen with help form the tutor and easy to handle fabric such as cotton, cotton blend or linen. Students should get the following equipment for themselves. A list of suppliers will be available at the beginning of the course. You will need a tape measure and notebook for the first lesson.
Pens, pencils, sellotape
30cm ruler
Folder with plastic pockets for keeping hand-outs and samples
Notebook
Tailors chalk
Hand-sewing needles and threader
Sewing thread - good quality strong, fine sew all thread such as Gutermann
Fabric scissors
Paper scissors.
Un-picker or small embroidery scissors
Pins.
Tape measure.
Other clothes making courses with Mary Ward and any of the masterclass series throughout the year.
See how long it will take you to get to college. Please select the campus of the course you wish to study.