Introduction to Sewing (WHH) (Mon)
Course overview
Take your first steps into the world of machine sewing!
Want to start sewing with a machine but have no experience? Begin your journey and develop your skills with our range of sewing courses.
After this course, you will be able to sew independently and, optionally, progress and develop your sewing skills further with our Garment Sewing for Beginners and Improvers course.
Who is this course for?
This is a beginner-level course. It is suitable for:
- absolute beginners who have never used a sewing machine.
- those who learned to sew long ago and want to start fresh.
- anyone who wants to try sewing without buying a machine yet.
- learners who want a structured introduction to sewing.
Why choose this course?
You’ll benefit from working in a small group with lots of individual attention, delivered in well-equipped and professional workshops.
You’ll be guided by our expert sewing tutor Marrit Young
Working on three structured beginner-friendly projects—a fabric bowl, a patchwork pin cushion and a simple tote bag —you will gradually build your skills and confidence.
Each sewing project introduces new techniques while reinforcing what you’ve already learned.
With plenty of demonstrations and one-to-one guidance, you’ll feel supported throughout.
This is a very practical, hands-on sewing course. By the end, you will have completed a fabric bowl, a patchwork pin cushion and a simple tote bag, depending on your speed and time.
Whilst we do provide tools and equipment, it’s recommended you bring your own basic sewing kit consisting of fabric scissors, small scissors or snips, glass-headed pins, thread, hand sewing needles, tape measure, heat-erasable pen or chalk, and an unpicker.
You will be provided with suitable fabric for the pin cushion and tote bag.
This sewing course will give you the confidence to start basic sewing machine sewing independently and be ready to take the next course: ‘Garment Sewing for Beginners and Improvers’.
MEET THE TUTOR
Vee Tanner is a professional costume maker and sewing teacher with over 35 years’ experience in designing and sewing an array of garments and costumes. These range from competition ballroom dance dresses, wedding gowns, theatre, and historical wear, to everyday wear.
She leads the costume team at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, making historical costumes for the Inhabited Houses Project, and has costumed many theatre productions for award-winning Rickmansworth Players and leading theatre school, Italia Conti.
Vee founded Sew Bee Yourself, an online sewing club for budding dressmakers to improve their sewing skills and enjoys teaching adults sewing at various venues, including Activate Learning’s Reading College and Woodley Hill House.
You can read more about Vee here
Alternatively enrol by phone quoting CR/M/PX170
Meet the tutors
We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.
