A0525 - Creative Essentials: sewing skills to upcycle and make clothes

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Start Date: 06/11/2026      End Date: 04/12/2026        Start Time: 10:00      End Time: 12:30        Hours per Week: 2.50      No of Weeks: 5
Fees:      £100.00 (tuition)     £176.00 (overseas)     £42.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Liliane Fontaine        No of Places: 11
Shadwell Centre

Course Overview

Course Overview
This short 5-week upcycling and repurposing course, focuses on transforming existing garments, mending, repairing, and altering as well as using the garment to make a template for a similar garment in a new fabric. Learners will bring their own items to work on and use practical skills in unpicking fabric and preparing to make a copy and use a range of stitch types and seams when sewing.
You will explore construction techniques, including alteration, using various seam finishes. The course supports sustainable making and can be re-joined to further develop skills using a wide range of fabrics and creative stitching.

This course is suitable for beginners and returning learners.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Assess and prepare garment or item for mending and alteration and reconstruct pattern shape to be used.
* Use pattern-cutting techniques to reshape or redesign item or garment.
* Apply a range of hand and machine seam finishes appropriate to item or garment.
* Transform an existing item or garment into functional or decorative use, using finishing techniques and reconstruction.
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
None
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
For the first lesson you need to bring a note book and pencil. You will also be given a list of equipment that you require for the course.
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, enabling you to rejoin the course with tutor guidance to reinforce skills, build confidence, and consolidate techniques through repetition before progressing to Explore level 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
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