Basic Sewing Machine Skills

Ages: 18+
Term: Autumn, spring
Length: 10 weeks

Overview

This 10-week course is the perfect introduction for machine sewing. You’ll be taught the essential skills and master the techniques needed to stitch your projects to life.

To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

About this course

Maybe have a sewing machine and you've never really got to grips with it, or possess some experience but wish to tie up the loose ends in your practical knowledge and understanding. This is the perfect starter course for those new to machine sewing craftsmanship.

This course will teach you the essential technical skills of operating a sewing machine safely and allow you to maximise your creative potential, designed for complete beginners and sewing enthusiasts eager to build a strong foundation in using their own sewing machines confidently and efficiently.

This course is a hands-on journey that covers the crucial skills required to operate a sewing machine with ease, from understanding the anatomy of a sewing machine to mastering various stitches and techniques, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to bring your sewing projects to life.

The course is the ideal starting point for someone who has an existing interest in sewing but would like to further their knowledge in sewing machines to help take their projects to the next level, like mastering more complex techniques such as buttonholes and gathering. Through a series of immersive tutor-led demonstrations, discussions and practical workshops, you'll learn the essential processes, allowing you to build upon your new skills for future sewing projects.

Introduction to sewing machines and construction
Machine setup and maintenance
Stitches and stitching techniques
Fabric handling and cutting
Basic sewing projects

At the end of the course you'll:

Feel confident approaching new clothes making projects using your new sewing machine skills and techniques.
You'll have a comprehensive overview, understanding and hands-on practical experience working with various fabrics, styles, and methods.
Group share of work produced at the end of each session with the intention to support, inspire and encourage each other’s learning.
Possess improved artistic skills.
Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired.
Have boosted creativity and imagination.
Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course.
You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at academy@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed.

Will I be assessed?

No, there's no formal assessment. As the course progresses, your tutor will measure your overall performance and offer essential guidance and feedback so you know how you're getting on.

Meet your tutor

Chloe Scrivener

Chloe Scrivener is a professional Milliner with more than 20 years experience working in the fashion industry...

What you need to know

Autumn term 2025

Tuesday 7 October – 9 December 2025 (10 Tuesdays evenings, 18.00-21.00)

Spring term 2026

Tuesday 13 January – 17 March 2026 (10 Tuesday evenings, 18.00-21.00)

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£359

Any additional costs

You'll need to provide basic materials. This'll incur an additional cost if you need to purchase one for the course. See the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

Course materials included in the price

Any additional materials and resources not listed below will be provided by AUB.

Attendees shall be required to bring their own personal domestic sewing machine for all sessions, ideally with the information user guide/manual.
Your sewing machine will be electrically PAT tested in the first session.
Basic sewing kit: small scissors, needles, pins, threads, tape measure
Notebook and pen.
Students may wish to purchase specific fabric for their personal projects, your tutor will advise you further in your first session.

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

A flower and a pair of sunglasses rest on a pair of boxes. A stiletto heel shoe and a handbag are sitting in front of another box. The other stiletto heel shoe is on top of one of the boxes.

AUB Academy FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

A person leans in and looks closely at a big display board with assorted pieces of graphic design work.

AUB Academy booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

Book your place today

Book now

Sewing gallery

A person smiles and sits working at a sewing machine.

A person sits in a costume studio at a bank of sewing machines and works on a piece of fabric.

Close up of a pair of hands feeding fabric through a sewing machine

Image of a women setting up a sewing machine

A person stands at a table with a large piece of paper unrolled in front of them. There are two dressed mannequins in the background.

A person sits a table and works with a fabric trim.

Textiles students interacting around a large table

A person sits working and concentrating at a sewing machine.

Person sits at a table with a sewing machine on it and draws on a piece of paper.

A person sits smiling at a desk with a sewing machine on it.

Two people working by a sewing machine in a studio.

A person stands at a table and prepares to draw on a large piece of paper.

A person sits working with a piece of fabric at a sewing machine.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your sewing skills with another short course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.