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Short course

Introduction to Professional Sewing Skills Short Course

Introduction to Professional Sewing Skills Short Course | On campus
Build your sewing confidence! Practical course covering machine sewing basics and essential skills. Learn professional techniques and create with confidence.

Next start months
October 2025
January 2026
January 2026
Tutor(s)
Banetta Sawyers
Siaw Lee Priddle
Price
From £720.00

Course description

Course overview

This practical sewing course will help you become familiar with the basics of machine sewing, help you build your confidence at working with sewing machines, and develop a range of related sewing skills. You will also make a tote bag and a skirt in this course.

You will be taught to look at the shapes of the fabric cutout pieces and learn how to place the seam allowance edges together and stitch into difference seams and their applications.

Many of the class exercises are to engage in how to stitch with accuracy, and therefore, you will find that the process sounds repetitive, however, often you are rewarded with an unexpected, pleasant surprise.

You will be encouraged to observe your seam allowance in the process of stitching and this repetitive move will enhance your visual abilities.

Who this course is for

This course is suitable for anyone, aged 18 and older, interested in the subject area and a desire to learn but no previous experience is required.

Key information

Topics covered

  • Looking at different needles and threads suitable for fabric types
  • Standard stitches
  • Seaming curved edges
  • Straight edges and gathered edges together
  • Various seam types including French seams and flat fell seams
  • Simple buttonholes
  • Topstitching
  • Trimming work and pressing

Learning outcomes

  • Have a collection of seam and hem samples and other creative techniques on samples for future reference
  • Have a clear understanding of how to apply these newly acquired skills in your sewing endeavours
  • Familiarisation with fashion industry sewing machines such as lockstitch and overlocker machines
  • Learn how to cut out from a given pattern to create a complete skirt with a zip insertion
  • Digital badge and certificate of attendance

Materials

  • Pencil, eraser and sharpener
  • Fabric shears
  • Small sharp pointed scissors
  • Stitch ripper
  • Fine steel pins
  • Metric tape measure
  • Tailors chalk

Tutor

Banetta Sawyers

Banetta has worked in various sample rooms over the years, including 10 years in Monsoon sample room after developing her skills, and for British Designer Matthew Williamson. Banetta has worked with UAL, London College of Fashion for over 24 years as a learning and teaching Specialised Garment Technician. This allows her to teach and explore different ways of imparting her skills to students.

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.

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