Beginners Sewing & Dressmaking

Beginners Sewing & Dressmaking

The Beginners Sewing & Dressmaking course is the Whole Shebang. It combines the best of both worlds; a beginners’ sewing course with an added introduction to dressmaking.  So it will teach you to use a sewing machine and learn some foundation skills. Then you’ll learn how to understand the ‘language’ of commercial patterns so you can start making your own clothes. This has been running as a popular 10-week course for many years.

While some course providers are packing in as many as 12 people per class, Artisan Stitch has a maximum of 4-6 places per course. Not only does this create a relaxed and friendly vibe, but it enables me to make your tuition personal with more 1:1 time. The most exclusive sewing courses available!

Course Description

This course is a combination of my award-winning Beginners Sewing Course XL that will teach you how to use a sewing machine. You’ll learn lots of useful foundation skills, an understanding of different types of seams and hems, how to insert zips and make buttonholes.  These are all necessary skills for making clothes. You’ll also make two lovely projects to practice your fabric-cutting skills and learn how to follow a pattern. Then comes the introduction to dressmaking section – over the next 5 weeks, you’ll make your choice of a simple skirt, a dungaree dress or pyjamas using a commercial paper pattern.
(You will need to bring your own pattern and fabric for your projects, and your sewing kit – see below. You’ll need to book early to allow time to obtain these items.)

Level: Beginners (or as a refresher if you haven’t sewn for a while)
Duration: 10 weeks (2.25 hours/week)

Who is this aimed at?

• Absolute Beginners. No previous sewing experience is required.
• If perhaps you’ve had a long break from sewing, this class is suitable as a refresher.

What will I learn?

• how to use a sewing machine
• how to sew straight lines, curves and turn corners
• basic seam types
• how to take up hems
• how to insert zips and make machined buttonholes
• two craft projects to give you experience measuring and cutting fabric.

A simple ‘A-line’ or pencil skirt, a dungaree dress or pyjamas or a dressing gown are all good first clothes-making projects once you’ve learned how to use a sewing machine. These will teach you foundation dressmaking techniques. You can then progress to more complicated clothing projects with the help of the experienced team at Artisan Stitch.

Course arrangements

Fabrics are provided for the tutorials and craft projects.  You’ll need to bring your own pattern and materials for your clothing project.  I’ll provide a list of things you need once you’ve booked.

Sewing machines are provided or you can bring your own if you prefer. Please bring the instruction manual, bobbins, all the accessories (presser feet), and check that you have your power cable/foot control.

Artisan Stitch holds a Certificate of Excellence and is rated Best sewing classes in Edinburgh.  They won the UK Enterprise award for Best Sewing classes 2020, an Education and Training award for Best Private Sewing Tuition and Scottish Prestige awards for 3 consecutive years up to 2024/25. They are recommended by Queen Margaret University for sewing training.

Useful links:

Fabric Focus is a gorgeous local shop where you can buy patterns and fabric. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

How to choose a pattern size  – sewing patterns aren’t sized in the same way as shop-bought clothes, so you can’t make the same size and expect it to fit well. This blog will help you understand how to get a good fit to your home-made clothes.

Please read my blog about the items you’ll need in a basic sewing kit. Here’s where you can buy sewing equipment: Hobbycrafts, The Range, Fabric Focus, Edinburgh Fabrics &  Dunelm Mill.  I have a mini shop in my studio stocking a small range of quality fabric shears, marking pens/pencils, pins etc at very reasonable prices otherwise everything can be obtained from Amazon.