What you'll learn
Learn sewing for beginners with our sewing short courses in Sydney!
Sewing Essentials is a basic sewing skills course for anyone wishing to learn to sew. These comprehensive sewing classes will teach you machine set-up, maintenance of equipment and troubleshooting, how to control your machine and get to know its stitch capabilities. You will also learn about different seams and finishes, pattern cutting and by the end of the course, you will have made a complete garment using all the skills you have learned.
This sewing course will teach you the sewing basics and have you well on the way to altering, repairing, and producing beautiful garments for yourself and your family. You will find this course very enjoyable whilst learning a worthwhile skill for life. Once you have made your first garment this course will have you addicted to sewing!
Learning outcomes
By the end of these sewing classes, you should be able to:
- Maintain and make adjustments to machines
- Perform basic sewing and pattern cutting skills
- Make a complete garment
- Complete a beginner sewing project
After finishing this course, you might like to enrol in our Sewing Extension Course
Course content
What will be covered in this sewing course?
- Machine set-up and maintenance
- Basic sewing and pattern cutting
- Machine techniques and applications
- Sewing a complete garment
Lesson 1: Get to know your machine
- Safe sewing tips
- Learn about different machine parts and how they work
- Machine set-up and adjusting thread tension
- Machine maintenance, clean and oil
- Stitch capabilities of the machine, zigzag, stitch length, etc.
- Practice controlling speed, stopping and starting, and practising on calico with thread
Lesson 2: Different seams and finishes
- Sewing a flat seam, an open seam, and a French seam and learn when it is appropriate to use each seam for different fabrics.
- Sewing a stitched hem, a double turned hem. Other hem finishes.
Lesson 3: Learn about patterns and cutting
- Discuss a commercial pattern and get to know the terminology on the pattern and what all the various markings are.
- Fabric selection and spend some time learning about the perfect fabric/pattern design marriage.
- Cutting efficiently and learning about why some fabrics must be cut a certain way i.e. stretch fabrics, velvets, cords, and one-way prints.
Lesson 4: Machine techniques
- Various machine techniques will be covered in this lesson, like gathering, pleats, pockets, and various other applications.
Lesson 5 & 6: Individual project work
- You will have a choice of a range of simple garments that will be discussed at the beginning of the course.
Intended audience
Who is this sewing course for?
This course is for any beginners who want to learn to sew, or anyone looking to brush up on their basic sewing skills.
Course venue
2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)
Course materials
What to bring to class
The following items must be supplied by students and will be needed on the first night:
- 2 meters of calico (120cm width)
- Clear plastic Singer bobbins × 1 packet of two
- Pins and hand sewing needles
- 1 reel of white and 1 reel of dark coloured sewing thread
- 1 pair of fabric cutting scissors
- 1 pair of small thread cutting scissors or clippers
- Measuring tape
- Notebook, ruler, pen, and pencil to take notes
- You are welcome to bring along your own machine (if portable) if you would prefer to learn on it
- Machine needles: The machines on campus take standard domestic sewing machine needles. They will have 130/705 H on the packaging somewhere to tell you they are domestic type, which is different from the code for the size of the needle (an 80 or 90 size needle is best for use with sew-all thread).
- Bobbins: They must be plastic, not metal. They must be designed for top-loading or drop-in machines. The best bet is to buy a pack that says it's suitable for Singer Drop In machines or Janome Drop In machines (either one will work on both machines). Avoid "universal" bobbins as there is no one-size-fits-all bobbin.
- Thread: a quality thread brand is recommended. Some of the more common household brands are Gutermann, Rasant, Mettler, Aurifil.
Additional information
Please note the following:
- Additional fabric will need to be purchased for the various projects of your choice. The tutor will advise you on what you will need to buy.
- For classes running all day, a 30-minute lunch break will take place halfway through the class. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch, alternatively, there are cafes and takeaway restaurants nearby on Darling Street.
- Please wear closed-in shoes.
Course testimonials
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Thomas said: Great teacher and the intensive classes worked well.
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Georgia said: Absolutely brilliant! Ilona is incredibly knowledgeable and skilled and is a wonderfully supportive teacher. Can’t wait to do the extension course with her as well!
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Jenni said: The Tutor, Joanne, was very knowledgeable and encouraging. Because of her expertise I was able to learn all of the necessary skills to complete a garment within the time frame of the course....very satisfying! Thanks
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Gregory said: Such an enjoyable course, our instructor was very patient and helpful and had a lot of knowledge. I wish it went longer!!
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Daniel said: The Sewing Essentials course gave me the opportunity to learn lots of basic skills on my sewing machine. I now feel confident to sew on my own. I have made a pair of shorts & a toddler's dress. It's good that we also got to use & learn about the overlocker.
Course tutors
Sylvia Murray
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
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Classes Online Courses
<p>Learn sewing for beginners with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a basic
...<p>Learn sewing for beginners with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a basic
...<p>Learn sewing for beginners with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a basic
...If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Sewing Essentials Course
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Sewing Essentials Course
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