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African fashion – make a drawstring skirt or trousers and a boubou or kaftan top

Learn how to do free-hand cutting techniques for traditional African-style garments.

Check timetable and enrol

This dynamic two-day course will introduce learners to free-hand cutting techniques for simple, traditional, African-style garments, for example, without patterns and help develop an interest in African fashion and cultural dress.

The skills developed will be used to cut and sew a drawstring, mermaid-style skirt (or suitable, similar trousers) and a boubou/kaftan-style top.

You’ll learn 

  • how to measure the body for this type of garment
  • how to cut directly onto the cloth and then
  • how to sew your garments together 

Basic sewing machine skills are an advantage but are not essential as the course will include how to prepare and use a sewing machine. 

Learners with some previous experience can explore:

  • alternative top and/or skirt styles, for example, different necklines
  • more advanced finishing techniques

How the course is taught 

Courses are tutor-led with demonstrations and one-to-one support. 

You'll also be encouraged to support and learn from each other through group discussions on work in progress and finished work.

What to bring

All materials will be provided for this course. You may like to bring a folder, blank A4 paper or notebook, pen, pencil, ruler, eraser, your own choice of fabric for your project, fabric scissors, tailor's chalk, tape measure, needles and pins.

After the course

On completion, you can continue learning on one of our other sewing or craft courses, or attend similar courses at City Lit or Morley College.