B3702 - Creative Essentials: sew your own garment

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Start Date: 15/01/2027      End Date: 19/03/2027        Start Time: 10:00      End Time: 12:30        Hours per Week: 2.50      No of Weeks: 9
Fees:      £180.00 (tuition)     £316.00 (overseas)     £75.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Eileen Wedderburn        No of Places: 8
Idea Store Watney Market

Course Overview

Course Overview
Over nine weeks, this course introduces the fundamental techniques used in garment construction, with an emphasis on precision, understanding, and consistent working practice. Learning is structured and progressive, allowing your skills to be built and reinforced through repetition.
You will learn how to operate a sewing machine with confidence, including threading, tension control, bobbin winding, and stitch selection. You will learn how to cut and handle simple fabrics accurately, develop an understanding of seam selection and purpose, and apply core techniques such as tacking, permanent stitching, and finishing methods.
As the course progresses, you will be introduced to additional construction skills including inserting zips, working with fastenings and buttonholes, and using pressing and steaming techniques to achieve a neat, professional finish. Instruction prioritises accuracy, control, and reliable results rather than creative interpretation.
This course forms part of the Essentials Repeat Pathway, supporting you to revisit and consolidate garment construction skills over time. The focus is on building technical confidence and competence as a foundation for more advanced making and creative development in later stages.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Operate a sewing machine confidently and safely, using appropriate settings and stitches.
* Accurately follow a commercial or vintage sewing pattern to construct a garment.
* Cut and handle fabric correctly using suitable tools and preparation techniques.
* Apply a range of sewing techniques, including seams, fastenings, and garment construction methods.
* Finish a completed garment using pressing and steaming techniques to a wearable standard.
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
No previous experience is necessary and you do not need to own a
sewing machine.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
For the first lesson you only need to bring a note book and pencil.
At the first lesson you will be given an equipment list as some haberdashery materials will be required
throughout the course. Your tutor will discuss this list with you.
Prosp User 9

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.
Prosp User 12
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 self-assessment at the beginning, middle 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.
At the end of the course you will receive written feedback.
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
This course forms part of the Essentials Repeat Pathway, supporting you to revisit and consolidate garment construction skills over time. The focus is on building technical confidence and competence as a foundation for more advanced making and creative development in later stages. Your tutor will support you in researching these and other courses outside of Idea Store Learning.
Prosp User 10

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.
Prosp User 13

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