In-person course
in Nottingham Maker & location details

Sewing and Tailoring Workshop - Nottingham Trent University

Description

Dive into the dynamic world of tailoring and sewing on this exhilarating short course. If you're already skilled in using a sewing machine and are used to working with commercial patterns, this is your chance to take your skills to the next level and beyond. On this practical course you’ll develop your manufacturing skills to produce a tailored jacket (toile) from scratch, using industry-standard methods, techniques and equipment. The course reflects current industry practices and in-depth garment manufacture that is taught to NTU’s undergraduate students; from mastering industrial sewing machines and utilising fusing beds, to perfecting your techniques with steam presses, you'll learn the tools of the trade used by professionals. Whether you are already working in the industry, hoping to pursue academic study or are a competent home dressmaker seeking to take your skillset to a more professional level, this course will allow you to transfer tailoring construction methods to your own designs of women's or men’s garments. With a limited class size of twelve people, you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue making after the course. During this course, you will: • learn how to use industrial sewing machines, fusing beds and steam presses • cut out professional production patterns (working with industry-standard sizes, either a women's size 12 or a men's size 38 pattern, which you can take away with you) • practice lay planning, fabric marking, and cutting techniques on various fabric types • understand the order of manufacture, • practice making Jett pockets, vents, shoulder pads and roll, facings and linings • use specialist pressing techniques that elevate the standard of finishing. Depending on how you progress you might also: • sample using other fabric types • adapt the pattern for the perfect fit • experiment with new collar and lapel shapes • develop alternative pockets styles. Tutor profile: Jo West has had a varied and extensive career as a designer and pattern cutter across women’s and menswear, from high street brands including M&S, River Island and Topman to designer catwalk such as Kaufmanfranco in New York. Jo has been teaching pattern cutting and garment construction at Nottingham Trent University and DeMontfort University for over 10 years and enjoys combining this with freelance pattern cutting and garment development projects for customers including Oxford Products, Kit Change, Tu and Tesco. Level: Intermediate Entry requirement: No experience of industrial sewing machines is required, although you must have basic sewing skills and be familiar with cutting fabric. You must be confident using a sewing machine to construct garments from shop-bought patterns. By the end of the course, you will leave with a constructed, tailored jacket toile, constructed to a professional standard, and technical notes to continue developing your tailoring skills. You’ll leave with new professional skills and be able to transfer the methods practised to your own garments, and use them with commercial patterns, and enhanced your portfolio to widen your learning and employment opportunities in the future.

What's included in the price?

Whilst most of the materials, spare equipment and calico are supplied, you’ll need to start building your own tool kit so that you can continue sewing and tailoring after the course. You will also need to bring with you: • pencil and fine tipped felt pen • fabric shears • coloured tailors chalk or wax • pins • tape measure • weights (optional) • small pointed sharp scissors • notebook and camera phone for writing technical notes and capturing the processes covered.