Welcome to our summer term 2024 course offer

Enrol onto a course to improve your wellbeing, bring out your creative talents or enhance your personal and professional development. There are courses in English and maths available, and we offer a range of vocational courses and qualifications from Entry Level to Level 3.

Our courses are now mainly onsite at the Thomas Calton Centre, Alpha Street, SE15 4NX, with a small proportion of courses available online.

Please enrol online by completing our enrolment form where possible. You can also visit the Thomas Calton Centre Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm.

Fashion, textiles and crafts

Sewing skills for beginners

Who the course is for

This course is suitable for absolute beginners, those with no sewing experience at all, those who did a little bit of sewing at school and need a refresher or those who would like to progress their skills from a little basic knowledge.

It's a fun, learner-centred, practical-based course full of content. Students have the opportunity to make at least one finished item to take home.

Course location

  • Thomas Calton Centre, Alpha Street, SE15 4NX
  • fully equipped sewing rooms

What you’ll learn

  • how to thread a domestic sewing machine safely and correctly
  • the basic operational symbols and functions of a sewing machine
  • the purpose of different machine feet
  • create a folder of sewing samples including different seams
  • practice a range of sewing techniques
  • manipulate fabric to create pleats and gathers (optional)
  • make at least one stitched item to take home
  • projects will include cushion covers for beginners and aprons/shopping bags for improvers (those with some sewing experience)

How the courses are taught

Courses are taught using demonstrations, videos and digital links, visual samples, group discussion as well as one-to-one support. Learners are also encouraged to support each other and discuss their work and progress.

Materials you’ll need

  • a folder
  • blank A4 paper or notebook
  • pen
  • pencil
  • ruler
  • eraser 
  • you may like to bring your own fabric scissors, pins, needles, tape measure

Please note the £5 materials fee for these courses covers sundry items used in the first few weeks of your course. For your subsequent projects, you will need to provide your fabric, threads and other relevant materials.

What will I be able to do after my course?

Make your own items and have increased confidence in taking on projects. Progress to further fashion, textiles or crafts courses at Southwark Adult Learning, or at City Lit or Morley College and into Further Education.

How to enrol

Complete an enrolment form online

Find out how to enrol, locations and more about our services.

Course details

Title

Days and times

Course code, start date, number of weeks

Fees

£5 annual registration fee also applies

Sewing skills for beginners

Monday

6pm to 9pm

FT 3018                 

13 May 2024  

8 weeks

£120 standard  

£ 60 concession Materials fee £5

Sewing skills for beginners

Tuesday

11am to 2pm

FT3020                 

23 April  2024  

10 weeks

£150 standard

£75 concession

Materials fee £5

Sewing skills for beginners

Saturday

10am to 4pm

FT3024                     

15 June 2024  

2 weeks

£55 standard

£27.50 concession

Material fee £5

Contact information

Southwark Adult Learning Service 

Page last updated: 27 March 2024

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