Dressmaking skills: Skirts (09C27FC/24)


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Adult Learning Cottingham
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Course details

Applicable fees
Total £91.00
Tuition Fees£81.00
Materials£10.00
This is a full fee course

Have you always wanted to make your own clothes for yourself and your family?

Perhaps you have a sewing machine but don’t really know how to use it to its full potential?

Making your own clothes means that you’ll save money, be able to recycle old clothing into new and unique garments and enjoy a rewarding and relaxing hobby!

On this four- or six-week course you will make a skirt and learn how to use your sewing machine safely and competently, how to correctly choose and use a commercial sewing pattern, the best fabrics and seams to use, and how to master zips and buttonholes.

This course is ideal if you have some very basic dressmaking skills and you’d like to brush up on your skills or learn more. You will be able to take home with you any pieces you make on the course.

What will I learn?

You will learn:

  • about sewing machine functions: threading, tension, stitch length, cleaning etc.
  • how to sew basic seams (Plain, French, straight lines and zig zag)
  • how to read a pattern
  • how to transfer pattern markings etc
  • how to sew a zip and buttonholes

How much will it cost?

The cost of this course is visible at the top of this page.

What is it like to learn with East Riding Adult Learning and Employability?

At East Riding Adult Learning and Employability we pride ourselves on the support we give to our learners, from the very first time you contact us, to the day you achieve your goals.

If you choose to join this course you will be supported by our dedicated staff, learn in a small friendly and welcoming group, have the opportunity to take part in activities to practise your skills, be encouraged to continue to practise when you are away from the classroom and receive lots of encouragement to help you build both your skills and your confidence.

As well as working in groups, you will benefit from regular time working with your tutor, discussing your progress and planning your next steps. They will also tell you about all of the other great opportunities that you have access to including help with developing your skills, joining one of our creative skills classes or sessions to improve your health, wellbeing, confidence or resilience. If you are looking for work or aiming for a change of role, then your tutor will also make you aware of the employability programmes we have available to support you in achieving your employment goals.

Our team will be there to support you at every step of your journey and we always welcome your feedback to help us ensure that you feel safe, happy, supported and welcome.

What do I need to join the course?

It would be useful if you have already attended our Try Dressmaking course but this is not essential.

Some basic knowledge of how to use a sewing machine would be beneficial as well as some basic maths skills as you will need to be able to do some simple calculations to use rulers and other measuring equipment.

What do I need to provide for the first session?

You will need to bring along a pattern and either cotton fabric or poly cotton with matching thread. This will be needed from week two so please wait and talk to your tutor in week one. If you have your own dressmaking scissors, chalk, pencil and tape measure then please bring them with you, however, don’t worry if not, as we will have supplies available in the classroom.

What could I do next?

You may wish to develop your skills further with our other dressmaking skills courses. Your tutor will

provide more information about this at the end of your course.

You may also consider some of our other Adult Learning courses such as soft furnishings, machine embroidery, mindfulness, photography or computer skills, English, maths and employability courses.

Can we help you to learn?

You can find more information on the Financial help and additional support page or you can contact us to talk about this and any other support we can provide.

Venue Details

Adult Learning Cottingham
Adult Learning Centre, Hallgate, Cottingham
HU16 4DD

01482 842329