Fashion and textiles

Our courses are aimed at learners of all experience levels and will introduce and develop all the key garment construction skills and techniques you’ll need to be able to make your own clothes to a professional standard.  You’ll learn how to use and understand commercially bought patterns, and how to adjust them for a more personalised fit, as well as choosing suitable styles and fabrics.

You’ll make a garment of your choice, which is appropriate for your experience level, and learn and sample a variety of additional techniques throughout the course.

These absorbing classes are aimed at learners of all experience levels – and will either teach you to knit or crochet from scratch or will develop your existing skills while you work on your chosen project.

Explore these mindful crafts and have fun being creative in a supportive group. You will also learn stitch patterns, experiment with colour and design, pattern reading, and professional finishing.

These fun and creative courses will introduce you to machine and handstitched patchwork and quilting techniques, including Foundation Piecing and English Paper Piecing.

You will learn to measure, cut and assemble your fabrics, consider the use of colour, pattern and overall design, as well as finishing techniques. After learning and sampling essential skills, you will be able to work on a small-scale project of your choice.

These courses are aimed at people who already have clothesmaking experience using commercial patterns, and who now want to learn to make personalised fitting patterns and garments.

You will use traditional drafting and block-making skills to create a pattern and calico toile, or freehand drafting techniques which create garment patterns directly onto either calico or paper, based on specific body measurements.

These courses are aimed at people who have never sewn before, or who want to update their skills. You can learn to use a sewing machine in just one or two sessions or build your skills further on a longer course by making a simple craft item such as a bag or cushion.

Our short overlocker machine course is perfect for learners who can already sew but want to learn how this specialist machine can be used to achieve a professional finish and working with stretch fabrics.

These short courses will give you the satisfaction of making cushions to add a personalised splash of colour, texture or print interest to a room. You will learn essential professional standard skills and techniques, even if you are new to sewing. Designs will cover standard sized square scatter cushions for beginners, through to more advanced level bolster and box cushions.

These short, creative courses will introduce you to hand and sewing machine-based techniques that are both decorative and useful. Hand-stitching can be a relaxing and mindful activity and is the focus for visible mending and darning – a great way to be more sustainable, and to revive or upcycle much loved clothes and other textiles.

Would you love to be able to upcycle and personalise furniture for your own home or for family and friends? Or even to kick-start a potential new career?

Our courses will help you develop skills in traditional and modern techniques, upholstery materials, and the use of specialist tools and equipment. You will also have the opportunity to explore your own style and design ideas.