12-week course // September 2nd - December 2nd (no classes 14th & 21st October) // 6.30pm - 9pm // Skill Level: Beyond Beginner // Cost: £445

Instructor: Cassandra Belanger, founder of The Stitchery, co-founder of Zero Waste Design Collective and founding member of Sustainable Fashion Scotland.

Make yourself a pair of trousers and learn how to get a really good fit.

Finding high-street trousers that are good quality, well-fitting, and suit your style can be difficult at the best of times. Learn with us how to make your very own trousers, as well as understanding the process of getting a good fit.

About this Course

This 12-week sewing course for ‘beyond beginners’ and improvers will take you through making your own trousers. You will learn how to work from a pattern, take your body measurements and choose the correct size for your body shape. 

We'll also be introducing you to a number of beyond beginner techniques, such as: a variety of waistbands, tapered cuffs, a variety of hem and seam finishes, sewing a fly zip, belt loops, and patch, slash and welt pockets. You’ll come away with a resource book full of beyond beginner techniques.

Depending on your skill level and sewing experience you will have a choice of zero waste trouser patterns to choose from, ranging from a simpler style with elasticated waist and standard pockets to the more complex style with full fly zip and welt pockets. 

A choice of trouser patterns will be available to choose from to suit your taste. Not only will you leave with a pair of trousers fitted to your body and style but you will also be equipped with the know-how to make other trouser patterns that fit you and your unique style.

As always, classes at The Stitchery have a focus on zero waste design and sewing - we’ll introduce you to the principles of zero waste sewing and share techniques and tips for a more sustainable making practice. 

Skill Level

This is an intermediate level sewing course for ‘beyond beginners’ and improvers, which means it’s suitable for returning students, or anyone with previous experience of basic sewing and garment making. 

Course cost includes:

• 12 x 2.5-hour lessons

• Use of Janome 230DC computerized sewing machine each

• Use of Janome 6234XL overlocker (shared between students)

• Use of Janome 2000CPX coverlocker

• Handouts for resource pack

We have a Janome 230DC computerised (with speed control) sewing machine and Janome overlockers (varying models) and a coverstitch machine available for student use; although you can bring your own if you like. And don’t worry if you might miss one or two classes; we’ve plenty of opportunities to catch up through our additional Sunday Stitchery Sessions or private tuition.

Course cost excludes:

• Cost of fabric and haberdashery

You will need to bring:

• A basic sewing kit

• Fabric (a list will be provided after booking)

• Thread (available to purchase at the studio)

Topics Covered:

• How to use a zero waste pattern

• Taking body measurement and determining pattern size

• Pattern alterations

• Cutting fabric

• Garment construction for a pair of trousers including: seams and seam finishes, elasticated waist or fly zip closure, pleats, darts, patch pocket and in-seam pocket, hemming.

• Fitting trousers

Booking Your Place

To book your place on this course, you will pay a non-refundable Booking Deposit of £50 + fees through Eventbrite which goes towards the total course cost. The remaining balance of £ is due no later than 14 days PRIOR to course start. Once you’ve booked a place on the course, you will receive the details to bank transfer the final amount. We divide course costs in this way to avoid additional external fees. Please familiarise yourself with our Terms & Conditions before making your booking.

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 (she/her) has 14 years of experience working in sustainable design, textiles and garment construction with a Masters in Fashion + Textiles focussing on zero waste design. 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, Co-Founder of the Zero Waste Design Collective and Founding Member of Sustainable Fashion Scotland. She was previously the Resident Sewing Instructor at the Central Scottish School of Craft and a Fashion and Textile Lecturer at Glasgow West College. Her research interests centre around sustainable fashion and textile design education and fashion systems for a post growth economy. Her design and teaching practice explores issues such as zero waste, waste colonialism, transparency, feminism, sizeism, and body image. Cassandra is committed to decolonising her teaching practice.

More Info:

• During class tea and coffee 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 have a look at our FAQs page. We also recommend reading the relevant page on our Student Resource Page, where you can find useful insights on the course structure and what supplies you'll need to bring to class.

If you don't find your answer in either of these places, then please feel free to contact us.