Professional Sewing Techniques

On this course, you’ll progress through each of the sewing techniques, practising how to make a collar, cuffs, button stands, sleeves, plackets and button holes in calico fabric.

It’ll be intense - but great fun!

During the course, you will:

• learn about grain lines, fabrics and their suitability to different projects
• cut, lay, fold and bias cut on reverse fabrics
• fuse fabrics, and learn why fabrics are fused differently
• use an over-locker, and learn (or remind yourself) how to set one up
• make buttonholes and understand different buttonhole construction
• sew and assemble a shirt from start to finish in calico.

You’ll be introduced to the techniques through group demonstrations, handling samples, paper-based instructions and one-to-one feedback.

You’ll explore different types of fabric (with access to the university fabric store) and the various methods of cutting and over-locking.

What will I gain?

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to confidently create a garment with professional sewing techniques.

If you haven't completed your garment before the end of the course, you're welcome to take it home and your instructor will make sure you know the techniques needed to complete the project.

Level: Beginner / Intermediate

Entry requirement: You should have already made a few basic garments, and feel confident using a sewing machine and working from a commercial paper pattern.

Where you'll learn: You will be based in the Bonington building at the City Campus, our dedicated art and design hub.

You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the fashion studios, with industry-standard pattern cutting tables, professional mannequins and garment production machinery from domestic sewing machines to overlockers and button-hole machinery.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Tutor Profile: Deidre Niddrie has had a varied career working as a garment technologist and assistant designer for Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson and Victoria Beckham.

She is now an experienced fashion technician at Nottingham Trent University.