Beginner Sewing Course – Auckland

Description

Aim of the course

The aim of this course is to equip you with the basic skills that you will need to start your sewing journey. Even though this is a beginner course, it does not just teach you to sew using a sewing machine, but also the essential skills that you will need in future to make your own clothes. We also sew a completed garment (a top that you can wear to work or for fun).

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand how to use any sewing machine (you will get exposed to different makes and models)
• Understand the different types of fabrics, their names, and which ones should be used for which type of garment
• Understand how to read a pattern envelope and how to determine your ‘pattern size’
• Understand how to make simple adjustments to patterns so that you can be sure that your completed garment will fit you
• How to lay out pattern pieces and cut your pattern pieces
• How to read and follow pattern instructions
• Know the basic hand stitching techniques you will need to finish off your garment
• Know how to sew seams on different types of fabric, how to sew hems, how to sew buttonholes
• How to install a facing into a top

Included in the course

You do not need to bring your own sewing machine, the workshop has enough machines and it is part of the course to be able to use different makes of machines. This will enable you to make an informed decision if you want to buy a machine.

If you do have your own machine you are definitely welcome to bring your own machine.

You will receive a sewing kit with essential sewing supplies that you can take with you to use as the basis of your sewing supply collection.

You will receive a copy of the pattern that we will be using for making the top (this is a free pattern, not a commercial pattern, since commercial patterns have restrictions on use and cannot be copied or used for commercial purposes, however, we will use commercial patterns during the course as examples to learn from in terms of pattern instructions, pattern envelopes etc.)

A workbook with printed material and sample fabrics, covering the course material, that you can use to make notes in and refer back to after the course.

Practice fabric swatches to practice sewing, stitches, seams and other sewing techniques (hand and machine).

All bobbins, thread and other supplementary fabric and haberdashery required to make your garment (although you might want to buy matching thread to match your selected fabric).

Tea, coffee and snacks.

What you need to supply

The fabric that you will need to make your top. Since this course takes place over two days during one weekend, the type and quantity of fabric to make your top will be discussed with you before the course and you need to make sure that you bring the fabric along to the course.