Create your own Sewing Tutor by making a portfolio of skill-samples which becomes your go-to guide for all your sewing projects! Group & 1-2-1 workshops, for beginners to intermediate.
Skills based workshops - these courses focus on making samples of a wide range of skills, to mount in your Sewing Tutor portfolio pages, and refer back to for help with further projects. Example Code L1S1
Project based workshops - the focus is on making skills-samples specific to a project, to mount in your Sewing Tutor portfolio pages, followed by making the project piece. Example code L1P5.
How to Use a Sewing Machine (L1S1) - WATCH OUT FOR MORE DATES COMING UP!
Sewing Skills for Beginners (L1S3) - Beginners
Sewing Skills Workshops (L2S1) - Beginners to Intermediate
5 stand-alone workshops, all separately booked
Home Decor: Cushion covers (L2P3) - Beginners to Intermediate
(L1S1) 1 Workshop, £46.21 Beginners
Content: Learn how to thread and use a sewing machine & make skill-samples of seams & hems.
Included: Sewing Tutor portfolio pages. Sewing machine (or bring your own). Equipment. Fabric & haberdashery for skill-samples.
What to bring: Pen or pencil. Optional - A4 folder for samples & notes. Own equipment if you have it.
Dates: Latest was Jan14 - NEW DATES POSTED SOON!
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Marine Parade, Dunoon (2nd floor, unfortunately no lift)
Further information:
Address & other info emailed 1 week prior to course.
Follow-on course suggestions:
Sewing Skills Workshops (L2S1), Sewing Skills for Beginners (L1S3), Home Decor: Cushion covers (L2P3) or Making a Bag with Pockets (L1P5).
(L1S3) 3 Workshops £137.22
Beginners to intermediate.
Course content - 3 workshops:
Refresh or learn how to thread & use a sewing machine by making skill samples of seams, hems & fastenings including a zip.
Included: Sewing Tutor portfolio pages. Sewing machine (or bring your own). Equipment. Fabric & haberdashery for skill-samples.
What to bring: Pen or pencil. Optional - A4 folder for samples & notes. Own equipment if you have it.
Dates: Jan 18,25 & Feb 1, 2025
Time: 1 - 3pm
Venue: Marine Parade, Dunoon (2nd floor, unfortunately no lift).
Further information:
Address & other info emailed 1 week prior to course.
Follow-on course suggestions:
Home Decor: Cushion covers (L2P3)
(L2S1) 5 Workshops, £46.21 each separately booked. Beginners to intermediate - must know how to use a sewing machine.
Content: Pick workshops according to a skill to improve or learn:
Seams - French, Bound & Double.
Zips - Basic, Exposed & Invisible. Hems - Invisible, Roll-Hem & Top-Stitch. Buttonholes - Machine, Bound & Rouleau Loop.
Pockets - In-Seam, Patch & Welt.
Included: Sewing Tutor portfolio pages. Sewing machine (or bring your own). Equipment. Fabric & haberdashery for skill-samples.
What to bring: Pen or pencil. Optional - A4 folder for samples & notes. Own equipment if you have it.
Dates: Jan 21,28 & Feb 4,11,18, 2025 Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Marine Parade, Dunoon (2nd floor, unfortunately no lift).
Further information:
Address & other info emailed 1 week prior to course.
Follow-on course suggestions:
Further Sewing Tutor project or skills based workshops.
(L2P3) 3 Workshops, £137.22
Beginners to intermediate - must know how to use a sewing machine.
Content: Make a cushion cover as a gift or for yourself, through learning specific skills including how to read & use a pattern, seams, fastenings and finishings.
Included: Pattern, Sewing machine (or bring own machine), Equipment, Sewing Tutor portfolio pages, fabric & haberdashery for skill samples.
What to bring: haberdashery & fabric for cushion covers, A4 folder for notes & skill samples, pen/pencil.
Dates: February 8, 15, 22, 2025
Time: 1 - 3pm
Venue: Marine Parade, Dunoon (2nd floor, unfortunately no lift).
Further info: address & fabric info emailed 1 week prior to course.
Follow-on course suggestions:
Grow your knowledge further through Sewing Tutor workshops as they come up.
Sewing Tutor© pilot course carried out on a converted, old but super strong, Singer sewing machine!
In 2016 I set up a series of sewing workshops called Sewing Tutor©. Students learn sewing techniques and create their own portfolio of sewing samples. As a how-to reference guide, this becomes their Sewing Tutor© as students progress through subsequent courses,
or work on individual projects.
Sewing Tutor ethos is in response to:
The impact of fast fashion on the environment - ST focuses on upcycling, customizing, repairing and altering clothing and household items wherever possible, in line with current trends.
The cost-of-living crisis - ST encourages reusing existing fabric items in new and innovative ways; opens professional pathways in the Entertainment, Retail and Creative Industries; has the potential to supplement income through developing and enhancing vocational skills; upskills and empowers in project planning for course projects and beyond.
Wellbeing & the mental health crisis - through in-person small group workshops, ST helps build: connections encouraging people out of isolation; confidence through learning new skills & enhancing existing skills; & through seeing one's skills applied; and Sewing Tutor works, is engaging and fun!
Since launching Sewing Tutor©, I have undertaken many voluntary workshops throughout Sri Lanka in collaboration with Child Action Lanka, for individual women and groups, to see underprivileged lives changed. Several women are now earning as a result of undertaking these workshops and three sewing centres have opened. Those who have been through the training in the UK also continue to make and earn.