A3063 - Creative Essentials: sewing machine basics

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Start Date: 26/09/2026      End Date: 26/09/2026        Start Time: 10:00      End Time: 14:00        Hours per Week: 4.00      No of Weeks: 1
Fees:      £32.00 (tuition)     £56.00 (overseas)     £13.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Christina Simpson        No of Places: 5
Shadwell Centre

Course Overview

Course Overview
This short introductory course teaches you how to operate a sewing machine safely and confidently. Learn how to thread a sewing machine correctly, wind and insert a bobbin, and set appropriate tension for stitching. The course introduces essential machine stitches, their correct names, and practical uses.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Operate a sewing machine safely and confidently, following basic health and safety guidance.
1. Operate a sewing machine safely and confidently, following basic health and safety guidance.
* Thread a sewing machine and wind a bobbin correctly, setting appropriate stitch length and tension.
* Identify and use basic machine stitches, understanding their names and common applications.
* Construct and finish a variety of sewn seams and samples.
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
This course is suitable for beginners or those with no sewing or pattern cutting experience.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
We will provide the basic materials. You will need to bring a note book and a pen. You may wish to bring an unpicker/seam ripper or ruler.
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How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
You will have an ‘Individual Learning Plan’ where the course learning outcomes are shown and where you can set your own learning goals and monitor your own progress. You will need to evaluate your own progress and manage your time. Your tutor will give ongoing feedback and will keep you informed of your progress.
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At the beginning of the course the tutor will carry out an initial assessment to help identify the level of experience, knowledge or skills in this area.
The tutor will also carry out informal assessments to check your understanding, there is no exam.
You will complete a short self-assessment at the beginning and end of the course.
Your tutor will let you know how you are getting on throughout the course to you will help you work to your full potential.
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Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
After completing this course, you can progress onto a follow on course: Creative Essentials: pattern cutting using your measurementsfollowed by Creative Essentials: sewing machine basics Both are four week courses with Christina Simpson.
Please see our website Idea Store - Learning for further information or speak with your tutor. Your tutor will support you in researching these and other courses outside of Idea Store Learning.
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Other info

Other info
We have high expectations regarding attendance and punctuality. We expect 100% attendance for all scheduled sessions and that you do so punctually and are ready to start learning at the start of the class.
We acknowledge the rare occasions when that will not be possible, please inform us before the class by emailing ideastoreadmin@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
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Extra Support

Extra Support
If you have declared a learning difficulty, disability or support need whilst enrolling and you require support/assistance in class or to complete your course, please discuss your needs with your tutor at the first lesson.
If you intend to take an examination and feel you have an additional learning need or special requirements, you must declare them to your tutor within the first 2 weeks of your course.
If you are studying in an online group, then you can arrange a one-to-one online discussion with your tutor, after the session, or by email.
Where we aim to make reasonable adjustments to support our learners, please note we are unable to provide any type of in class or in person support if your course takes place online.
Prosp User 14