This is a course not only for beginners who wish to create or alter a simple garment or something for the home. It is also for intermediates sewers, who wish to delve deeper into sewing and fashion a more challenging creation. We will cover basic techniques, such as different seams and when to use them. We will cover different fabrics and their qualities so you will be confident about how to use them. You will get an understanding of patterns, layout, cutting and their sewing instructions up to making the all important toile. With the toile made, then fitting and making any necessary adjustments, then, finally creating the final project. It is strongly recommended that you purchase your fabric after the first lesson as the course will commence discussing each and everyone’s patterns and preferred fabric choices.

Course Outline:

In our first lesson, participants will discuss their individual choice of pattern, and then, following on from finalising their pattern, discuss which fabrics will suit, and briefly, how they will suit their desired pattern and whether their particular project has a need for other specialised sewing aids or techniques, such as fusing, boning etc for their individual project. If time allows, we will quickly discuss colour and the role of colour in styling. It is desirable that fabric choices are purchased after this first lesson.

For the remainder of the course most of the following will be covered, but not necessarily in this order:

• Taking measurements and undertaking fittings and the need for ease and allowing for simple adaptations for different figures
• Knowledge of the nature of different fabrics, how to use them as well as fabric qualities such as grain, pile and selvedges and the role fabrics play in the overall effect, especially for different figure types
• Important sewing techniques and when to use them
• Understanding commercial patterns and basic hand-made patterns and how to make simple adjustments if needed for a better fit, or improved styling
• Develop proficiency in understanding the steps to undertake a sewing project, from pattern and fabric choice to understanding the need for particular equipment, cutting layouts, specialised techniques, making toiles to making any necessary adjustments prior to creating the final project.

By the end of the course you will have crafted your chosen project and have developed more confidence in both techniques and sewing creatively.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop more skills in;

• Sewing and sewing techniques
• Fabric knowledge
• Taking measurements, using patterns and adapting patterns if necessary
• Understanding how to use patterns, layouts and cutting
• Creating toiles and doing fittings
• Understanding of all the necessary steps undertaken in a sewing project

What to Bring:

• Optional: Bring your own sewing machine
• Calico- sufficient to make a toile for your outfit plus a little extra for sampling techniques
• Paper, such as butchers paper or light cardboard in case you need to alter your pattern
• Bring the pattern of your own choice, or a sketch or picture of a garment that you wish to source a pattern for, to the first lesson, or, if you are altering an existing pattern, do bring that etc.
• Dressmaking scissors, machine and hand sewing needles, pins, clippers, a ripper, bobbins
• Paper scissors, measuring tape, long ruler, a square, sticky tape, fabric marker/chalk
• Fabric of your own choice for your finished garment, not needed for the first lesson as we will discuss fabrics at the first lesson
• Notebook and pen
• Students must wear closed-in shoes, no sandals or thongs

About the Tutor:

'Elissa has many years of experience in dressmaking, creating patterns and knitting. She has qualifications in Fashion Production & Technology from TAFE. Elissa is keenly aware of the importance of sustainability in fashion and prefers to work wherever possible with natural fabrics that are kinder to the environment and to adapt limited-life garments, yarns and fabrics in order to give them a new lease of life. As well as teaching, she does customised creative mending, alterations and made to measure garments and millinery. She enjoys sharing expertise supporting students to forge ahead on their individual creative journeys. She says 'It’s a magical experience!'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.