35 Courses

Practical Creative Pattern and Gament Making Course, for teachers of GCSE D&T and Art & Design Textiles.

Learn to make on-trend garments, develop your sewing & pattern cutting skills, whilst getting into the mind of a designer. We have a range of compelling and sustainable workshops taught by expert tutors and industry professionals.

Take your sewing skills to new heights with 'Sew Beyond Basics.' Enhance projects from our beginners' course, mastering zips and stabilising fabrics. Join us for creative stitching exploration!

learn how to replace broken zips and how to add decorative or functional zips to your clothing.

Learn to create cushions for your home, we will cover a basic cushion and also piping, ruffles and zip insertion.

'You Touched My Heart' Appliqué class is a great introduction to raw edge appliqué, quilting, adding a flange and top stitching. For the cushion, you'll be adding a zip. This doesn't have to be scary

Runs on Sundays 25th Februrary and 2nd March 10:30-3:30 Make the fab Tilly and the Buttons Coco or Billy dress in this one day class. These dresses are made from knitted fabric and therefor a great pattern to make in a short time - No zips or buttonholes! It should just fit straight out of the envelope. This is a good class to learn about using stretch fabrics on a domestic sewing machine. For a more in-depth class covering fitting please join the 3 day dressmaking course instead.   The pattern for this garment is included in the class fee, as are the machines, haberdashery, endless tea and coffee. All you'll need to bring is the fabric for your dress, I will discuss the exact amount and what kind is suitable once the class is booked.    This is a small class so you will get lots of time with me. I will have a maximum of 4 students in the class but usually we just have 2 or 3.  Event Terms & Conditions Classes need to be paid for at the time of booking. They will only run once the minimum number of students is met. My studio sadly isn’t accessible to those with mobility issues. I have cats but no soft furnishings or carpets in the studio so most people with allergies are fine with antihistamines.

This fun one day course is for a small group of students looking to develop the skills and knowledge to make a box cushion. All materials and equipment will be provided and the course will take place in our purpose built workshop in Almondbury

MASTERCLASS: LEARN PROFESSIONAL LEATHER CRAFT, SEWING AND LEATHERGOODS CONSTRUCTION SKILLS One teacher, five students KEY FEATURES OF THIS COURSE:– Understanding and working with leather– Learning leather hand sewing– Learning leather machine sewing– Realising samples of bag features– Realising two finished leather items Experience a comprehensive two-week Leather Craft and Sewing Masterclass, merging theory with hands-on learning Explore essential techniques for working with leather, vegan alternatives, and fabric. Proficiently handle hand tools, master hand-sewing, and operate industrial machines. Cover material selection, finishing and construction methods.Gain insights into the technical aspects of leatherworking, including preparation, marking, cutting, gluing, reinforcing, skiving, debossing, and more.Participants receive thorough instruction in professional sewing techniques on diverse industrial machines, along with specialised saddle stitching training. Create personalised samples to enhance practical skills.Conclude the masterclass with the ability to craft entirely handmade simple leather items, showcasing acquired skills in both machine-stitched and saddle-stitched styles.Facilitated by a prototype maker and manufacturer, the course offers a professional journey into common leatherworking practices.Participants also receive valuable handouts and curated lists of leather and tool suppliers for ongoing reference.   Here is a concise summary of the topics covered during the classes: LEATHER, VEGAN LEATHER, AND HAND TOOLS:Understanding leather types, tanning, finishings and best useExploring different types of vegan leathers and their featuresComparing leather and vegan leather: pros and cons from a manufacturer’s perspectiveImportance of choosing the right materials and tools for projectsLeather preparation, pattern placement and markingCutting complex shapes with various toolsUsing leather punches, skiving, beveling and creasingFinishing leather edges: painting vs. burnishingUtilising leather glues, tapes and reinforcementsExploration of prototyping and manufacturing leather goods, encompassing varied working methods, machines, and tools.   MACHINE AND HAND SEWING:Understanding industrial sewing machines and their differencesSelecting the right sewing machine for specific materials and constructionsOperating a lock stitch walking foot machineThreading industrial sewing machinesAchieving correct tension in sewingUnderstanding thread types and needle sizesLearning to sew leather, distinguishing it from other materialsCorrectly sewing various leather types, ranging from thin to very thickSewing straight lines, curves and creating parallel seamsProducing various seams and seam finishesBasics of saddle stitching leather and understanding related tools and materials   CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES:Sewing and finishing a simple zip on leatherCutting, assembling and sewing simple straps/handlesIncorporating basic lining types in projectsConstructing and sewing common gussetsComprehending the use of reinforcements and stabilisers and their application in the craft of accessory making   LEATHER GOODS MAKING:Creating two finalised leather items from chosen designs such as card holders, purses, clutches, glass covers and similar accessories.# By the end of the tuition, you will have:– Developed confidence in utilising specific tools for leather preparation, marking, finishing, cutting and fastening fittings.– Acquired an understanding of working with diverse leather types and thicknesses, with the ability to source and select appropriate tools and materials for your projects.– Mastered essential leather sewing techniques, troubleshooting common sewing issues and handling challenges such as curves, multiple layers of leather and various surface textures.– Learned to sew fundamental bag components like simple zips, straps, and gussets, along with reinforcing specific areas of a bag.– Built confidence in sewing with both industrial machines and by hand, gaining the skills to independently create simple leather items. Included in the course:You will be provided with useful paper handouts which contain:– A list of tools and materials used during the lesson(s), including a description of what they are and how they are used– A list of recommended suppliers for both leather and fittings (physically in London and online)– A glossary containing essential key words related to the topic of the lesson– A glossary containing information about leather types and characteristics– A glossary containing information about needle and thread types   What are the entry requirements? This course is suitable for total beginners, beginners with some experience and intermediate.You should be able to use measurements and understand verbal and written English instructions.   Are there any other costs? Materials are included.   Is there anything I need to bring? Feel free to bring a notepad, if you would like to take some notes, we will provide the rest.   How long is this tuition? This tuition will require two consecutive weeks / 50 hours to be completed.We aim to provide customised and high quality tuition services and by only allowing up to 5 students at a time, we are able to focus on each person needs and interests.   IMPORTANT TO KNOW: We aim to cover as much of the syllabus as possible. Depending on your ability and prior experience, we may not complete the entire program or we might delve into additional techniques related to the listed topics, including:Advanced finishing techniques (piping, binding, folding)More complex styles of zipsUtilising different machine feet, tools, and equipment in your sewingExploring various fittings, closure types, fastening techniques, and tools (sam browns, magnets, pop buttons, eyelets, etc.)Understanding the importance and application of construction sequences and reference notes during item construction

(5-7yrs) The syllabus is based on the ISTD grade however we do also incorporate an imaginative playful approach to the work to keep the Ballet fun. As well as using a range of music from the latest pop songs to great musical theatre songs (old and new!) JazzPops offers a range of dance throughout the term with a dash of some musical games Downstairs Dance Studio Please bring: - Comfortable clothes to move in (no zips or demin) - No ballet shoes required for the trial Please contact info@whizzdance.com for more information on how to book your free trial.