Clothes Making Advanced: Couture Garment Construction and Sewing Techniques

When & Where

14 January 2025 - 18 March 2025 ( 30 hours, 10 weeks )
Morning, Tuesday
View course timetable
Waterloo Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes
Tutor Vanda Finney
Course Code W24FASF02B
Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

Learn to cut, fit and construct beautiful couture garments in this project based course. You will be able to build on your existing knowledge and develop more advanced fitting, construction and couture finishing skills as you produce professional quality garments. This course is suitable for you if you want to produce these garments for yourself, or you want to earn a living producing these garments by running your own business or by working for a fashion company. During the course, you will be continuously introduced to new skills and tips and tricks of the trade through tutor demonstrations based on a different theme each term. You need to be able to work independently and have a good knowledge of sewing and making garments.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

to adjust/use commercial patterns with advanced construction features
to use advanced fabric and trimmings
to solve problems and develop independent thinking
to put into practice advanced features and finishing techniques following class tutorials

Cost

Full fee

£335

Concession fee

£250

Click here for information on Fees, Funding and Concessions (including financial support)

Class format and activities

Teaching is both to the whole class and on an individual, one-to-one basis using demonstrations, discussion, examples, samples, hand-outs and other technical support material where appropriate. You will receive feedback throughout your course to help you develop your skills. For you to be able to achieve on this practical class punctuality and attendance are key. Please inform your tutor of any absences. Microsoft Teams will be used for general class specific communication and for posting additional information. Health and safety inductions are planned into your course delivery, and you are asked not to use any machinery or specialist equipment until you have received specific training. Morley provides a positive and friendly atmosphere and to support this all students should be considerate and kind and work in a collegiate and collaborative way and to not monopolise the tutor.

Entry requirements

This is an advanced course. Make sure that you have the skills required to join by successfully completing some of our intermediate courses in a related field or be able to demonstrate an equivalent competence in the subject area. Students must be able to read, write and understand fluent English. Digital, mathematics and numeracy skills are desirable but not essential.

What you need to know before you enrol

Activities in class can involve standing at high tables for a period of time. Please let the tutor know if this would be difficult for you. Sewing machines have a foot operated speed control. The fashion studios are on the first floor of the Nancy Seear building and there is lift access to the first floor. Please note the eating and drinking is not allowed in the fashion studios - you are allowed to have bottled water.

What you need

A basic sewing kit: sharp fabric scissors, trimming scissors, dressmaker’s pins, tape measure a variety of hand sewing needles and sewing threads. A basic pattern drafting kit: pattern curves, pencils, sharpener, rubber, paper scissors, masking tape. A basic note taking kit: notepad, pens, pencils, sharpener, rubber, calculator, A4 ring binder for hand outs. You must provide your own materials, haberdashery, threads, etc. for your projects and this will be discussed towards the beginning of your course. Some specialised materials, including calico for toiling, are available for purchase from your tutor at cost price. Some pattern cutting and garment construction tools are provided for use in the studio. Paper and card are available for use in the studio. Depending on your class you may need to purchase a sewing machine bobbin from your tutor for £1, refundable at the end of the course.

What you can do next

Ready for more? So are we! Try our Costume or Tailoring specialist course next to continue building on your skills or explore some of our Fashion Design courses. Continue your journey with us in a variety of engaging courses on offer all the way up to a full BA (Hons) in Fashion Design. Visit www.morleycollege.ac.uk today for more inspiration and information!