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Thursday
Thursday
24 April 2025 - 3 July 2025 ( 30 hours, 10 weeks )
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Waterloo Centre
For beginners or for those returning to the subject, this structured course will provide you with a thorough introduction to the core skills of pattern cutting, enabling you to use basic blocks to create simple patterns. This course is also useful if you study textiles and want to create your own garments for your own fabrics. Using a standard size block, a different garment type is taught each term. NEW this year, we have introduced a wider range of garment shapes, allowing you to build confidence and extend your skills in support of your progression aims. Attending at least three terms of the course will build your knowledge and skills as you work on different garment types. Progression to Intermediate level is possible but you must have achieved competence at using basic blocks, making basic style manipulations and drafting simple patterns.
Teaching is both as a whole class and on an individual one to one basis, using lectures, demonstrations, examples, samples, handouts and any other support materials where appropriate. At the start of the course you will have an opportunity to discuss these with your tutor and set your own personal targets, linked to the learning outcomes and future goals, i.e. progression to an intermediate level course. In order to ensure that you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular feedback from your tutor, in a constructive and supportive environment. Attendance and punctuality is crucial to make the most of your course and achieve the learning outcomes.
This is a beginners course. All are welcome, suitable for people with limited or no previous experience. Students must be able to read, write and understand fluent English. Digital, mathematics and numeracy skills are desirable but not essential.
Activities in class can involve standing at high tables for a period of time. Please let the tutor know if this would be difficult for you. Sewing machines have a foot operated speed control. The fashion studios are on the first floor of the Nancy Seear building and there is lift access to the first floor. Please note eating and drinking is not allowed in the fashion studios - you are allowed to have bottled water.
Required tools and equipment include: paper scissors, fabric scissors, dressmaker’s pins, tape measure, tracing wheel, sewing threads, notepad and 2/3 colour pens, HB pencil, sharpener and eraser, A4 ring binder file. Some pattern cutting tools are provided for use in the studio and paper and card are available for use in the classroom. Calico for toiling is available at cost price from your tutor and you will need to purchase a sewing machine bobbin from your tutor for £1, refundable at the end of the course. ‘Metric Pattern Cutting’ 6th Edition by Winifred Aldrich is the reference book used on the course. It is useful to have your own copy.
