A0521 - Creative Essentials: visible mending and repair

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Start Date: 04/11/2026      End Date: 02/12/2026        Start Time: 18:30      End Time: 21:00        Hours per Week: 2.50      No of Weeks: 5
Fees:      £100.00 (tuition)     £176.00 (overseas)     £42.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Eileen Wedderburn        No of Places: 12
Idea Store Watney Market

Course Overview

Course Overview
Over five weeks gain confidence as you learn how to mend, alter, repair, and transform existing items using both hand stitching and basic sewing machine techniques. The course covers a range of basic stitch types, seams, fastenings, and pressing methods all taught with an emphasis on control, consistency, and good working practice. Visible mending techniques that you will use include appliqué and visible darning. These are used as creative and ethical responses to repair, reinforcing your understanding of how your choice of construction and materials influence outcomes.
You are encouraged to bring existing garments or textile items to repair alter or reuse. The focus remains on technique and process supporting skill development that can be applied with confidence across a wide range of projects.
This course forms part of the Essentials Repeat Pathway, allowing you to revisit and consolidate repair and making skills over time. Emphasis is placed on building technical confidence, supporting sustainable choices through competence and understanding, with creative interpretation developed later in the learning pathway.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Identify and use a range of hand and basic machine stitching techniques for repair and construction.
* Repair, alter, or transform garments and household textiles using appropriate mending methods.
* Apply visible mending techniques, including appliqué and visible darning, to strengthen and decorate textiles.
* Use basic garment construction techniques, including seams, fastenings and pressing, to improve repaired items.
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
None
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
Please bring your items to repair or reuse. We will provide some basic materials such as calico. Haberdashery materials will be required throughout the course, your tutor will advise on essential equipment.
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
ou 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 and help you work towards 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
After completing this course you can progress to onto a range of Fashion and Textiles courses. Please see our website for further information or speak with your tutor.
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
f 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