Sewing - Essential Skills - Stage 1 [HPT]

Course intent

Learn essential sewing skills needed to help you on your journey to finding employment. Build your knowledge and practise to create clothes on this structured learning programme. You will learn how to sew an apron and a simple, sleeveless top. All the class will be following the same pattern.

This course is primarily funded by the Henrietta Parker Trust, and as such learners will only need to pay a minimal course fee. For further information, see the dedicated page on our website here

What will I learn?

You will learn:

• How to thread and use a sewing machine, using basic machine feet and stitches
• Troubleshooting
• Machine stitching - straight and curved lines
• How to use a sewing pattern - overview of body measurements, different fabric types, choosing suitable fabrics for different projects
• Cutting out fabric
• Make an apron using your skills
• Basics of interfacing
• Make a simple camisole top with all-in-one facing

  Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

  This course is for:

Beginners who are looking to upskill for employment.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

You need to bring:

• A notebook and pen
• some fabric to sew samples with
• You will need a basic sewing kit (hand sewing needles, scissors, sewing thread, seam ripper, details below with suggestions of where to buy:
• Good quality fabric cutting scissors Recommendation: Fiskars £16.99 (For right handers) https://amzn.to/3S6zoyg For left handers £17.18: https://amzn.to/3zGkvfT
• Fiskars needlework scissors £12.99 https://amzn.to/3zJGp1K
• Snips/Seam ripper set £3.98 https://amzn.to/4cYkxhp
• Plastic bobbins (set of 25) £3.99 https://amzn.to/4cI9NUA
• Heat erasable pens in different colours £6.49 https://amzn.to/4cH4p3Y
• Glass headed pins £4.79 https://amzn.to/3XXTDC1
• Tape measure £2.99 https://amzn.to/4bHyxem
• Washi Tape £4.99 (pk 12) https://amzn.to/46lxlwk

After the first lesson, your tutor will advise you on what paper patterns and fabric you will need to buy. Or you will need to download and print this free apron pattern: https://sweetredpoppy.com/free-apron-sewing-pattern/

What can I do when I finish the course?

This programme has 3 stages in one academic year. Learners can progress through the stages supported by the HPT funding scheme. After this, you can progress onto further learning, gaining additional skills towards employment.

For Terms & Conditions, please see the dedicated page on our website. Adult Skills Development Charitable Trust | Surrey UK (henriettaparkertrust.com)

Additional information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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