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Learn how to make clothes from commercial patterns. You will learn to select your patterns, lay and cut your fabric and construct your garment using a range of sewing techniques.
This is an intermediate course for people who have an interest in making their own garments from commercial patterns. It is designed for students who have previous garment making skills, or those who have limited skills that they want to improve. Students should be able to confidently use a sewing machine. 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 and creative garment making tips.
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 range of sewing skills learnt on the course.
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 a range of sewing techniques.
Understand and use garment making terminology.
Create a safe working environment.
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 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.
Students are encouraged to do the series of six masterclasses that run throughout the year. This course could also lead to other textile courses at the Mary Ward Centre or another further education college. Students could continue on this course, take a follow up short course or a longer term or year long course. There is detailed information in Reception about all our courses at the Mary Ward Centre and a library of prospectuses for other London colleges to help you continue your studies. If you need more detailed advice, please ask a member of reception staff, and a half-hour guidance interview can be arranged for you.
See how long it will take you to get to college. Please select the campus of the course you wish to study.