Cushion making – designs & skills for confident beginners/ improvers
This short course is aimed at returning learners, or new learners who can already sew competently. It will continue to develop your sewing & construction skills, and you have the choice of making either scatter cushions with decorative detailing, a cylindrical shaped bolster or potentially a box seat cushion. This would be ideal for Upholstery learners who want to make a specific seat cushion for a current project, and any other interested learners who are already confident sewers and want to build more soft-furnishing skills. Depending on your project choice, you will learn all or some of the following: how to calculate, cut & shape panel pieces, match patterns, make piping, insert a covered zip and assemble your cushion/s to a professional standard. You may also wish to experiment by mixing different fabrics, patterns & plains, and adding other decorative finishes.
Course fees
Or call us: Call this number: 020 8314 3300
Monday - Friday 10am-3pm
Cushion making -getting started with a first project – free taster
If you are keen to either start sewing or to develop your machine sewing skills and learn to make some gorgeous cushions to personalise and decorate your home- then this introductory session is a perfect starting place! Join freelance Upholsterer & tutor to discover, discuss, and ask questions about what you will be able to make on her short upcoming courses & what essential materials you will need to complete your projects. She will give you guidance on fabric & other materials sourcing, including upcycling or re-purposing garments or other household textiles- and will demonstrate how to make & use edge piping.
Course fees
Or call us: Call this number: 020 8314 3300
Monday - Friday 10am-3pm
Scatter cushions for beginners
Would you love to have the satisfaction of making your own scatter cushions to add a personalised splash of colour, texture or print interest to a room? You will learn all the essential professional standard skills & techniques you will need to make a pair of standard sized square cushions of your choice. These will not only be unique to you, but will also have real longevity- they can be made plain or with edge piping, and have a concealed zip fastening
Course fees
Or call us: Call this number: 020 8314 3300
Monday - Friday 10am-3pm
How to enrol
After you’ve chosen which course you want to do, you need to enrol. You should enrol before the course starts to make sure you get a place.
You can enrol up to three weeks after the start date if there are spaces available.
Enrolment
You can enrol online for most courses on the course page.
Phone: 020 8314 3300
Monday to Friday: 10am-3pm
Evening and Saturday mornings:
Phone: 020 8314 3300
Monday to Thursday: 4.30-7.30pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm
For enrolments during term time only.
You can also enrol in person at any one of our adult learning centres.
We can only accept debit or credit card payments.
Requirements
If this is your first enrolment you’ll need to provide proof of identity. We will accept a photo of one of the following:
- passport
- driving licence
- national ID card
- birth or adoption certificate
- National Insurance card
- credit or debit card
- recent utility bills or bank statements
- Freedom Pass
How to enrol if you get reduced fees
Find out whether you’re entitled to reduced fees when paying for your course.
If you’re entitled to reduced fees, you can enrol online, but you’ll need to pay for the course then claim a partial refund – you can do so by sending copies of any benefits you’ve claimed in the last three months to adultlearning@lewisham.gov.uk.
Cushion making – designs & skills for confident beginners/ improvers
Course information popup. Press Escape to close. Tab to move through the content.
Learning aims
- To correctly calculate the cushion panel measurements, and fabric requirements, as appropriate to your project
- Sample and use a range of techniques, including piping and zip insertion
- Complete your cushion/s to a professional standard
- N/A
What prior knowledge do I need
This course is not suitable for those who have no previous, or very minimal, machine sewing skills- it is essential to be able to use a sewing machine confidently, as basic sewing skills won’t be covered. Maths using addition, subtraction and multiplication are required on this course in order to make calculations for your projects & reading skills are essential to be able to interpret patterns and follow technical instructions. Learners are, therefore, expected to have at least Entry Level standard in Maths and English. Before enrolling, please contact the curriculum leader if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the course for you
What teaching methods
The tutor will use a range of methods during the session, and these will include demonstration, discussion, Q&A and one to one guidance, where applicable
What assessment methods
The course tutor will use a range of methods to assess progress on the course. These may include: Observation, completion of an Individual Learning Plan which will be updated regularly, evaluation of work samples, question and answer sessions
Extra work
Extra work is not essential but will enable learners to practice techniques and progress their projects at a faster pace.
Materials needed
Depending on your chosen project, you will need the following to make each cushion: approximately 50cm- 1m of (at least 120cm wide) soft furnishing/medium weight fabric of your choice, 1-2 reels of good quality polyester machine thread & zips to match your fabric, and a cushion insert pad or piece of pre-cut firm seating quality foam. Your fabric should ideally be either 100% cotton or predominantly cotton based, and if you choose to make self or contrasting piped edges, you will need an additional (20cm) of full width cotton fabric. You may wish to mix patterns and plains, and have the front and back made from different fabrics, in which case you would be able to work with smaller quantities. Very importantly- do NOT bring velvet or other fabrics with directional surfaces unless you are an experienced sewer, as these are particularly difficult to work with! Please also bring any of the following if you have your own: dressmakers’ pins, a tape measure, fabric cutting scissors and a stitch ripper
What to bring
You will need to bring all of the listed items as applicable to your chosen project & any of your basic sewing kit essentials- as well as a pen, pencil & notebook, and your phone/camera will also be useful for photographing ideas & techniques
After completion
The department offers a wide variety of fashion and textile courses at different levels. Information about progression courses is available through the tutor, the Curriculum Leader or the online Adult Learning Lewisham programme. There are also a range of courses at a higher level offered across London and the South East by Colleges, Community and Adult Education providers and through local craftspeople. For more information about higher level courses currently available, please speak to your tutor or the Curriculum Leader.
Contact details
Denise Darlow
Curriculum Leader for: Textiles and Floral Design
Phone:
020 8314 7309
Email:
denise.darlow@lewisham.gov.uk
Cushion making -getting started with a first project – free taster
Course information popup. Press Escape to close. Tab to move through the content.
Learning aims
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
What prior knowledge do I need
This session is equally suitable for complete beginners to the subject, as well as those with rusty skills that they would like to refresh!
What teaching methods
The tutor will use a range of methods during the session, and these will include demonstration, discussion, Q&A and one to one guidance, where applicable
What assessment methods
No formal assessment, the tutor will provide feedback on your progress.
Extra work
No additional work outside of class is required.
Materials needed
N/A
What to bring
You might find it useful to have a notebook & pen to jot down any essential information or ideas and/or your phone or camera
After completion
The department offers a wide variety of fashion and textile courses at different levels. Information about progression courses is available through the tutor, the Curriculum Leader or the online Adult Learning Lewisham programme. There are also a range of courses at a higher level offered across London and the South East by Colleges, Community and Adult Education providers and through local craftspeople. For more information about higher level courses currently available, please speak to your tutor or the Curriculum Leader.
Contact details
Denise Darlow
Curriculum Leader for: Textiles and Floral Design
Phone:
020 8314 7309
Email:
denise.darlow@lewisham.gov.uk
Scatter cushions for beginners
Course information popup. Press Escape to close. Tab to move through the content.
Learning aims
- Sample & confidently use a range of machine sewing techniques
- Understand how to calculate, measure & cut your materials accurately
- Use specialist materials & equipment correctly and safely.
- To complete at least one of your cushion projects
What prior knowledge do I need
The class is designed for complete beginners or those who have very rusty skills they want to refresh & develop. It is suitable for learners with no previous experience of using a sewing machine- but if you do have basic machine skills this would be an advantage, and enable you to progress slightly faster. Maths using addition, subtraction and multiplication are required on this course in order to make calculations for your projects & reading skills are essential to be able to interpret patterns and follow technical instructions. Learners are, therefore, expected to have at least Entry Level standard in Maths and English. Before enrolling, please contact the curriculum leader if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the course for you
What teaching methods
The tutor will use a range of methods during the session, and these will include demonstration, discussion, Q&A and one to one guidance, where applicable
What assessment methods
The course tutor will use a range of methods to assess progress on the course. These may include: Observation, completion of an Individual Learning Plan which will be updated regularly, evaluation of work samples, question and answer sessions
Extra work
Extra work is not essential but will enable learners to practice techniques and progress their projects at a faster pace.
Materials needed
You will need the following to make each cushion: approximately 50cm of (at least 120cm wide) soft furnishing/medium weight fabric of your choice, 1-2 reels of good quality polyester machine thread to match your fabric, and a cushion insert pad. Your fabric should ideally be either 100% cotton or predominantly cotton based, and if you choose to make self or contrasting piped edges, you will need an additional (20cm) of full width cotton fabric. You may wish to mix patterns and plains, and have the front and back made from different fabrics, in which case you would be able to work with smaller quantities. Very importantly- do NOT bring velvet fabric as this is particularly difficult to work with! Please also bring any of the following if you have your own: dressmakers’ pins, a tape measure, fabric cutting scissors and a stitch ripper
What to bring
As listed, your fabric, thread and any basic sewing kit items you have - as well as a notebook & pen. Your phone/camera would also be useful for photographing ideas & techniques
After completion
The department offers a wide variety of fashion and textile courses at different levels. Information about progression courses is available through the tutor, the Curriculum Leader or the online Adult Learning Lewisham programme. There are also a range of courses at a higher level offered across London and the South East by Colleges, Community and Adult Education providers and through local craftspeople. For more information about higher level courses currently available, please speak to your tutor or the Curriculum Leader.
Contact details
Denise Darlow
Curriculum Leader for: Textiles and Floral Design
Phone:
020 8314 7309
Email:
denise.darlow@lewisham.gov.uk