12 Week Course // Tuesdays, September 2nd - December 2nd (no class October 14th & 21st) // 12pm - 2.30pm // Cost: £435 (includes pattern) // Level: Pure Beginner
Making your own clothes is about learning to BE YOURSELF. Choose your own fabric; fit it to your own unique body; express your own unique style. If you're tired of wearing low quality, ill-fitting and generic hi-street clothing, then this course is your opportunity to break from the herd.
About This Course
This is a 12-week, in-depth introduction to sewing clothes for beginners. The course will equip students with a comprehensive set of basic skills that will be applied to the construction of a zero waste top made to fit your own body. All body shapes and sizes welcome. We are a LGBTQI+ friendly and safe space. People of all genders, sizes, and backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to attend this course.
Topics Covered
Learn how to use and maintain a sewing machine, work with paper patterns, and understand different fabrics.
Practice basic techniques on small samples, including basic stitches and seams, finishing techniques, buttons and buttonholes and a choice of hem finishes.
Compile a sample book as a valuable resource for your future sewing journey.
Construct a simple top – a versatile zero waste pattern designed by The Stitchery founder, Cassandra that can be customised to suit your style, in a fabric of your choice and fitted to your body.
Learn how to take accurate body measurements and the basics of how to adjust patterns your body.
Learn about the practice of zero waste sewing. We’ll discuss zero waste patterns, fibres, textile production, and textile waste amongst other important topics.
A Making Clothes for Beginners e-book for future reference.
“This was a wonderful introduction to the basics of sewing, presented with a really helpful step-by-step approach, and has given me the confidence to read and understand patterns, and use the techniques learned to sew a well-fitting item of clothing! I would recommend this wonderful course to everyone. I found the classes really detailed but accessible. Cassandra is a lovely and extremely knowledgeable teacher. I’ll be signing up for more sewing with Stitchery in the future!”
Student Testimonial, 2021
Skill Level & Location
This is a beginner level course, which means it's suitable for absolute beginners, or anyone with limited experience who wants to firm up the basics.
Course Cost Includes:
12 x 2.5-hour lessons
Use of 230DC Janome computerized sewing machine each
Zero waste pattern, designed by Stitchery founder, Cassandra Belanger.
A Making Clothes for Beginners e-book.
Handouts for sample resource book.
We have a sewing machine available for each student, although you can bring your own if you like.
You Will Need to Bring
A basic sewing supplies kit. Here is what we recommend for a well-stocked kit.
Fabric of your choice (we will advise on what type, how much and where to buy it in your first lesson).
And don't worry if you might miss one or two classes; we've plenty of opportunities to catch up through our additional sewing sessions or private tuition.
Booking Your Place
To book your place on this course, please use our online booking system below. Please pay an initial deposit of £50. Once you’ve booked a place on the course we will get in touch to arrange the balance payment of £385. This is due no later than two weeks before the start of the course. Please familiarise yourself with our Terms & Conditions before making your booking.
You can pay by PayPal or any major debit/credit card. NOTE: You do not need a PayPal account to make a booking. Simply click on the link which says "pay with a debit or credit card". It looks like this. Please note that deposits are non-refundable. The deposit amount will be taken off the total cost of the course, leaving a final payment of of £385.
Subsidised Places
In response to the cost of living crisis, we offer one subsidised seat per class to ease the burden on our community. If you are committed to learning and experiencing financial hardship, please reach out.
About Your Tutor
Cassandra Belanger has 14 years of experience hosting workshops in sustainable design and sewing. Her work is an invitation to a more sustainable future and education is at the centre of her creative practice. She is the founder of The Stitchery Studio , is co-founder and Director of the ZWDC and a founding member of Sustainable Fashion Scotland. She is the resident sewing instructor at the Central Scottish School of Craft and a Fashion and Textile Lecturer at Glasgow West College. Her design and teaching practice challenges makers, designers and educators to think through the social and environmental impacts of their practice, exploring issues such as zero waste, intersectionality, transparency, colour therapy, feminism, sizeism, and body image. Cassandra is committed to decolonising her teaching practice.
More Info
During class tea, coffee and biscuits will be available.
All of our classes are suitable for over 18s, younger crafters may be accommodated if accompanied by a participating adult but please contact us before booking.
If the workshop you were looking at is fully booked drop us an email and we’ll add you to the waiting list.
If you need to cancel, we need at least two weeks notice. Please read our cancellation policy before booking.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Non-Refundable Deposit
All of our courses and workshops require a deposit to book your place. Please note that the deposit is completely non-refundable.
Cancellation & Course Fees Refund
Because of the popularity of our courses and the limited number of spaces available, we've now introduced a Cancellation & Refund Policy. If you cancel your booking 14 or more full days before the start date of your course or workshop, you will be refunded the balance of your fees. This is equivalent to your full course fees minus your non-refundable deposit.
If you decide to cancel your place in less than 14 days before the course has started or during the course, a refund is not guaranteed. In this situation we shall review the circumstances of the cancellation before deciding on an appropriate solution.