Introduction to Machine Sewing Course - 6 Weekly Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 5 (reduced due to social distancing measures)
Our popular Introduction to Machine Sewing course is an intensive six-week programme for complete beginners. Each 3 hour session occurs at the same time each week for 6 weeks.
This is the ideal way to start your journey to being a competent sewist and will also cover the basic techniques needed to start making simple garments. After completing the course you will have the confidence to work on a wide range of different projects at home.
We start right from scratch in week 1, familiarising you with the sewing machine itself, showing you how to wind a bobbin, thread the machine up and change the tension. Then we start building on your skills with each new projects, you will cover a wide range of invaluable sewing tips and techniques over the duration of the course and learn how to trouble shoot any machine issues as you go along.
The breakdown of this six week course is as follows:
Week 1 - Make a Tote bag with front pocket and reinforced straps
- Familiarise yourself with the sewing machine and how it works
- Learn how to sew straight lines, corners and curves using a seam allowance
- Lay a paper pattern correctly, pin and cut the fabric,
- Learn how to press your fabric and finish seams with a zig zag to stop them from fraying.
Week 2 - Accomplish all the essential processes that you need to know in order to start making your own clothes
- Marking the fabric
- Straight darts
- Insert an invisible zip
- Basting/hand tacking
- Alternative finishing techniques
- Three types of pleats (box, inverted & knife)
- Create gathers
- Hemming
Week 3 - Make a zipped lined pencil case or make up bag
- Practice and develop your skills
- Notches, grain line and seam allowance
- Insert a zip
- Learn how to do top stitching and hand slip-stitching.
Week 4, 5 and 6 - Make a fully lined large holdall bag
- Put all your new skills into practice for a more advanced project
- Create & sew an inside patch pocket,
- Reinforced stitching for strap handles
- Insert a channel zip
- Insert a lining
- Make and attache your own piping
During the time that you will be constructing the holdall your teacher will impart a variety of sewing tips which will help you master more advanced techniques.
Materials: All materials will be provided for weeks 1, 2 & 3 however in week 4 you will need to bring with you the materials needed to make your final project, details for this will be given in class. If you wish you buy these from our shop you will be entitled to 10% off everything for the duration of your course and one week following. Our shop team are happy to help and advise on fabric and notions for your bag.
Please bring with you: A sewing machine and scissors will be allocated to you. We also recommend you either bring with you, or purchase from Ray Stitch, small tools such as pins, a tape measure, unpicker, needles, and thread snips.
If you are under 16, you will need to bring a responsible adult with you who has also booked a place.
If you would like to learn to sew on your own machine, please get in touch so that we can notify the teacher. Please note we can only accept machines that are less than 10 years old.
Testimonials:
“Brilliant course! Very high quality information. I learnt far more than I thought I would and I’m very happy with my Holdall, proud to be using it!” - Will
“An excellent introduction to sewing on a machine. We covered so much in such a short period of time and great to have something new to take home every week.” - Laura
“I’d sewn before, but had never really taken the time to learn the basics of how to use my machine properly. This course has given me the confidence to get my machine out at home and feel like I know what i’m doing. Can’t wait for Intro to Dressmaking next! Lovely environment to learn a new skill among friendly people!”
“Perfect course for the beginner. Great for confidence building and very patient teachers, I'm looking forward to my follow-on course in the New Year” - Emma