The Complete Sewing and Garment Making Short Course
Course description
Course overview
On the Complete Sewing and Garment Making Short Course students learn various industry techniques to achieve a professional and accurate finish. This course is geared towards aspiring professional sewers or garment makers, such as for the fashion industry, or those who want to improve their sewing practice.
During the course, students will be introduced to professional sewing and garment construction methods through a number of garment-making workshops to achieve a quality and professional finish. We will cover cutting and making up of garments such as skirts, blouses and shirts, with reference to multi-size patterns for your making.
You will also learn different methods of making garment components, such as zip insertion, pockets collars, waist bands etc. in relation to how to lay patterns, cutting, and the order of assembly on garment construction. You will also undertake market research which will include window shopping for garment ideas on your own or as a group.
Workshops will cover the following garments: skirt, blouse, shirt, shorts, jacket (manufacturing process), t-shirt, leggings, and a boned bodice (evening/occasion wear).
To make the most of this course it is recommended that students practice skills gained during lessons in their own time.
Who this course is for
This course is suitable for aspiring professional sewers or garment makers, such as for the fashion industry, or those who want to improve their sewing practice.
Important information for international students
International students must ensure their visa, short term or otherwise, is valid for the full duration of their course. Please visit our immigration guidance page for any questions about Standard visitor visa you may have. For instructions on how to apply for a Standard visitor visa and everything you need to know before and after receiving your visa please visit UAL website.
Payment plans
The Complete Sewing and Garment Making Short Course is eligible for a payment plan and must fit the following criteria to request:
- The course start date must be at least 4 months away from booking
- The course fee must be paid in full 4 weeks before course start date
A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is divided into 3 monthly payments, payable via Flywire. The course fee is GBP 4,950, 50% of this is due upon booking (£2,475), followed by 3 monthly instalments of GBP 825 per month. Normal UAL Short Course T&Cs apply.
Contact ualshortcourses@arts.ac.uk for more information.
Key information
Topics covered
Week 1:
- How to use a sewing machine and safety rules
- Needles and threads
- Seams - plain seam, pinking seam, French seam, run and fell seam, piped seam, overlocked seams, open and close seams
- Pressing procedure
Week 2:
- Finishing a circular hem
- Stitching an enclosed seam
- Tucks and pleats
- Top stitching
- Gathering and stitch a corner
- Assemble front skirt
- Preparation for Zip insertion
Week 3:
- Zip insertion to continue / Method 2 Channel Zip
- Attach skirt waist band
- Overlock skirt hem and stitch to complete this skirt workshop
Week 4:
- Blouse - cutting and making
- Students to receive fabric and a blouse pattern for this exercise
- Single binding and double binding
- Stitching a curve seam to insert sleeves
- Multi-size pattern preparation
- Zip and fusing
Week 5:
- Binding
- Single binding with edge stitch, double binding with sink stitch
- Revisit both skirt and blouse making to ensure the garments have been completed to a reasonable standard
- How to choose the size in relation to one;s body measurements
Week 6:
- Shirt workshop including:
- Component making
- Two-piece collar construction / front opening
- Two sleeve openings - continuous strip and placket as in men's shirt construction
- Assembly process
- Attach sleeves - one side with overlock closed seam
- Shirt hemming
- Buttonholes
Week 7:
- Homework preparation - organise work for Fly Front Making in stage sample making
- Garment making: based on a multi-size pattern - choose a shirt style to make
Weeks 8 and 9:
Short workshop including:
- Component making
- Fly front zip
- Two x in-seam pockets
- Single Jetting pocket
- Apply binding on waist band finishing
- Assembly process
- Attach pieces to form a pair of shorts
- Hemming on legs - circular stitching and hand felling for classic look
- Fly Front sample making
Week 10:
- Fitting and adjustments
- Revisit on exercises that require remaking or fixing to achieve an acceptable manufacturing standard
- Easter break homework
Week 11:
- Jersey Experiment - induction on different types of Jersey specialised sewing machines such as coverstitch, coverstitch binder and 3 and 4 thread overlockers
- T-Shirt Workshop - students to cut a t-shirt each with the provided pattern and fabric for this exercise
Week 12:
- Leggings making
- Experimenting on mixed jersey and woven fabrics
- Front placket opening and side opening
Week 13:
- Vent opening
- Bias Skirt
Week 14:
- To cut and sew a full-size (student's own size) soft fabric skirt with lining
- Technical details - tutor will demonstrate this exercise with the students
- Invisible zip. Waist band, hemming
- Bias skirt to complete
Week 15 and 16:
Jacket Workshop including:
- Component making
- Welt pocket
- Rever collar
- Join front and back facings
- Two sleeve openings
- Attach both sleeves to the jacket
- Show easing technique, add sleeve-head and shoulder pad on one side of the sleeve only
- Stitch jacket lining pieces together
- Stitch lining to the jacket with enclosed seams on jacket hem stitch in place and press off to complete this workshop
Week 17 and 18:
- Evening wear exercise workshop including:
- Methods of fastening
- Construction on a Boned bodice (Bustier) - pattern will be provided
Week 19:
- Garment making from multi-size pattern for occasional wear
Learning outcomes
- Be confident in carrying out a range of sewing and construction methods
- Know how to work with a wide range of fabrics and different types of sewing machines
- Learn garment processing skills such as how to construct types of pockets, zip insertions etc
- Develop the confidence to accurately determine measurements
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Notebook
- Pen / Pencil
- Sharpener
- Eraser
Tutor
Siaw Lee Priddle
Siaw's passion for bespoke tailoring started as a student and developed in the years by further building on her technical skills. Siaw has over 12 years of extensive experience in the fashion industry, having worked for several manufacturing outlets, including Marks and Spencer suppliers as a sample machinist, where she learnt how to operate all the machines in the workroom. Her experience led her to become a Senior Specialist technician at the University of the Arts London, where for the last 25 years she has been helping students understand all the technical and digital processes of garment construction.Book a course
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