Short Course

Sewing for Beginners

Name: Hereford College of Arts
Price range: $

Duration

10 Weeks
Cost

£375
Tutor

Stuart Askew
When

Tuesday Evenings

Learn the basics of machine sewing through fun projects, and gain the confidence to use a pattern to create your own personalized garments, all with friendly guidance and support.

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Overview

This course is the perfect opportunity to dust off your sewing machine and master it's use with confidence. We'll begin by teaching the machine basics and the principles of sewing such as seam allowances, pattern reading, and fabric behaviour. Once you have that mastered, we'll guide you through the techniques involved in making a shirt or blouse from scratch using a pattern, which you will work on over the remaining weeks.

By the end of the course, you'll not only be sewing with confidence, but will also be able to read and follow commercial patterns, understand basic garment construction, and you'll be able to leave wearing a custom tailored shirt or blouse.

All basic materials will be provided on the course. If you would like to bring in your own fabric that suits your style for the projects on the course, speak to Stuart at the start of the course and he will be able to advise you on what fabric to use.

Colourful zipped pouches made on the Beginners Sewing Short Course.

Katie explaining something to a short course student.

About the Tutor

Stuart Askew appeared in Series 11 of 'The Great British Sewing Bee' and has been sewing for many years, specialising in vintage-inspired and tailored garments. Alongside running Social Sews in Hereford, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and introducing new sewers to the pleasure of following a pattern and creating their own clothes. Stuart also co-hosts the 'Make and Tailor' sewing podcast with Dan and Caz from the series.

See more of Stuart's work

Term Dates

Term starts on Tuesday 14th April. There will be 10 sessions with a break for half term on 26th May. The final session will be 23rd June.

A wide shot of the Folly Lane Print workshop. Various students are working at different workstations throughout the workshop. The room is filled with old fashioned printing presses, ink stations and is flooded with natural light from big windows.

Industry standard workshops and studios

This is where you make your ideas happen. Find out more about the professional kit and spaces we provide at HCA.

Workshops and Resources

FAQs

All basic materials will be provided including fabric, scissors, thread, and sewing machines.

You may want to bring a sketchbook for taking notes. You may also want to bring in fabric to cater to your own taste. You will be advised on what fabrics you may want to use whilst on the course.

Make sure to bring some water, and dress appropriately for using college equipment (for example, no open-toed shoes, long hair tied back when using workshop equipment).

Courses like these can look great on your CV and are good for professional development. Therefore, we award certificates at the end of the course, provided that you attended enough of the sessions.

Our short courses are non-credit bearing programmes.

This course is aimed at complete beginners, but will also be suitable for people with some sewing experience who would like a refresher.

This course will be held at our Folly Lane Textiles Workshop.

This course will take place over 10 sessions with a break for half term. Please see dates listed above.

Sessions will start at 6.30pm and will finish at approximately 9pm. You may have to arrive earlier on your first week for registration.

This course is suitable for anyone over the age of 16.

We recommend that attendees between the ages of 16 and 18 are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also a paying participant.

We keep our class sizes small so that you benefit from a lot of contact time with the tutor. There will be a maximum of 7 people attending this course.

Yes, there is parking available on campus. Please use the car park at the back of our Folly Lane Campus, just off Whittern Way.