Course Overview
Would you like to learn to sew, see if sewing is for you, learn to use your sewing machine or update and refine your skills in a lesson with an experienced industry professional?
Whether you are new to sewing, a or fashion student or haven’t sewn for a long time, master sewing basics and how to use your sewing machine, expand your sewing knowledge, have assistance with fitting or just enjoy the opportunity to sew for a day with help at hand if needed.
This 6 hour workshop is designed for the absolute beginner and those with some sewing skills.
Students will be taught how to sew a basic item of their choice using commercial patterns including taking measurements, pattern selection, alterations, layout, cutting, construction methods, fitting and sewing machine operation.
Participants should be able to complete a basic garment or item by the end of the course.
While basic sewing skills are an advantage, they are not a requirement for this workshop. We welcome all levels of experience, and our teacher will provide step-by-step guidance to ensure that everyone can successfully create their own beautiful A Line skirt. Join us in this fun and creative learning experience, and take your sewing skills to the next level!
Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!
What you will learn
Course outline
It is intended that the course will cover:
- Body measurements and how to take them
- Choosing a pattern, size and fabric
- Use and care of the sewing machine
- Pressing techniques
- Basic seams, seam finishes, darts, curves
- Understanding a commercial paper pattern
- Layup fabric, cut and mark fabric
- Sew a simple item using basic sewing techniques
Course outcome
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Take measurements
- Choose the correct size pattern
- Interpret information on the pattern envelope
- Purchase suitable fabric and haberdashery
- Use and care for the sewing machine
- Understand pressing techniques
- Interpret a commercial paper pattern
- Layup, cut and mark fabric
- Sew and finish basic seams, darts, curves
- Construct an item using basic sewing techniques
- Zipper insertion and buttonholes (time permitting)
What you need to know
Entry requirements
No prerequisites are required. This course is suitable for the beginner and those with some sewing skills.
What you need to provide
You will need to bring:
- Sewing machine (make sure it works and please bring all accessories and your instruction book) and spare needles
- 2 metres of butchers paper or other large sheets of paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Sticky Tape eg magic or invisible tape
- 30cm ruler (or a longer ruler if have one)
- Optional Set Square and French Curve (if you have them)/li>
- Scissors (fabric and paper scissors)
- Large quick un-picker
- Tape Measure
- Pins
- Needles
- Marking Chalk
- 1.5 metres x 115cm wide woven fabric pre-washed and ironed
- 20cm fusible interfacing
- 1 reel of matching thread (Metrosene, Gutterman or Rasant good quality thread)
- Fabric as per your pattern
- Fusible interfacing if required as per your pattern
- Other notions as per your pattern eg zipper, elastic, button, hooks and eyes
- A basic pattern such as Butterick, McCall’s or Simplicity NO BURDA for example:
- Boxer shorts or elastic waist pants McCall’s M8221 or M8160
- Basic skirt Simplicity S9648 view A,B,D
- Tessuti Free Patterns
- These patterns can be printed off at home and taped together or printed in AO size at Officeworks for around $13.00
- https://www.tessuti-shop.com/collections/free-sewing-patterns
- Libby A-Line Skirt Pattern or Multi Elastic Waist Skirt
Other information
- Purchase pattern according to your hip measurement for shorts, pants, skirts NOT your clothing size
- Students will work on their own choice of project
- Students will work at their own pace. Those students unable to complete their project on the day will receive instructions on how to complete their garment at home.
- Suggested Fabrics:
- Choose a stable woven fabric such as poplin, broadcloth, cotton blends, denim or linen. You may like to choose a cheaper fabric to use especially if you are fairly new to sewing or to trial your pattern.
- No knit, stretchy, shiny, slinky, stripey or check fabrics please!