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Course intent

Focus on building your sewing skills while promoting sustainability by upcycling and altering pre-existing garments. You will learn how to repurpose, reinvent, and extend the life cycle of garments or textile items, completing your own designs to a professional finish. This course will empower you to make thoughtful, creative decisions that reduce waste and make fashion more sustainable.

What will I learn?

You will learn:

• Material Knowledge: Repurpose used materials and transform them into unique, wearable pieces. Develop an understanding of sustainable fabric choices and how to work with existing textiles.
• Design Techniques: Use a mannequin to bring your designs to life on a three-dimensional body. Experiment with various techniques to visualize your designs before making alterations.
• Production Process: Repurpose or reinvent pre-existing garments to create something new and functional. Master basic garment alterations (enlarging or reducing) within a workable range. Apply simple textile embellishments to enhance your designs.
• Craftsmanship: Hone your technical skills, ensuring a high-quality finish on all alterations and upcycled pieces. Focus on precision, neatness, and durability in your sewing.
• Studio Practice: Understand the importance of a safe working environment and H&S requirements.

  Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

  Stage 1 - This stage is for learners who are new to their chosen subject area. With the focus on introducing individuals to basic materials, tools, and techniques, and to inspire confidence in creative expression.

  What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

  You need to bring:

• Fabric scissors
• Paper scissors
• Tape measure
• Ruler
• Dressmaking pins
• Sewing machine thread
• Hand sewing needles
• Pencil, eraser and note pad.

Any project you have in mind such as:

• Garments - Can be jackets, shirts, dress, jeans, skirts etc.
• Fabrics - Any fabric, table wear, bedlinen, curtains, scarfs and ties or any off-cut fabric big or small.
• Images - Photos, magazines, prints etc.
• Embellishments - Any threads, knitting yarn, sequins & beads, buttons, zips etc.
• Patterns - In order to turn any textile into a garment, bag etc., please bring a commercially available dress pattern or the patter of the item you would like to make.

We have sewing machines in our class, but you are welcome to bring your own.

We will discuss your project in the first class individually in case you need other/more material.

What can I do when I finish the course?

In discussion with your tutor, you may like to enrol onto a Sewing - Stage 2 course, workshop or other Arts & Crafts courses at SAL.

Additional Information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

We value and support equality, diversity and inclusion by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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