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Clothes Making – an Introduction (Stage 1)

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

Overview

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own clothes? In this hands-on 10-week course for beginners, you’ll be sewing in no time. 

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. 

What you need to know

Autumn term 2025

Monday 6 October – 8 December 2025 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00-21.00)

Spring term 2026

Monday 12 January – 16 March 2026 (10 Monday 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.

Please note, in your first session there’ll be a sewing workroom machinery induction. You must attend this to comply to the university health and safety policy.

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.

£379  

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.

  • Dressmakers’ pins
  • Tape measure
  • Paper scissors, fabric scissors, small scissors, snips and quick unpick
  • Pencils: 2H, HB or B
  • Fabric/cloth marking pencil
  • Pen, rubber, pencil sharpener
  • A4 folder and plastic sleeves
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Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

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Short Courses 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.

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Short Courses booking T&Cs

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

About this course

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own clothes? This course is aimed at the complete beginner interested in learning a variety of sewing skills, techniques, and proficient use of a sewing machine, including anyone who already possesses some experience but wishes to perfect their techniques to achieve a professional finish.

This course is the ideal starting point for those wishing to make clothes for themselves, apply for a fashion degree or to gain industry level skills to eventually work within the fashion industry.

Based in our specialist BA (Hons) Fashion studios, fully equipped with various types of industrial sewing machinery and presses, you'll be introduced to a wide range of skills necessary to make garments to a professional standard.

Your specialist AUB fashion tutors, Gillian Kelly and Alice Kiernander, will guide you through a series of tutor-led demonstrations, discussions, and practical workshops where you'll learn the processes of pattern cutting and constructing a ladies fitted top with sleeves and a skirt to match.

As part of the course, you'll have the chance to use our industry-standard Size Stream body scanner to receive precise measurements of yourself which you can use to produce a bespoke block for yourself.

You'll then progress to making a top from the bespoke block created and with support from your tutors you'll be able to pattern cut and manufacture your chosen design. The course will give you the skills to competently apply the techniques you have learnt to the garment of your choice and will give you the freedom to make new pieces for your wardrobe.

  • Pattern manipulation of bodice darts
  • Seam and hem exercises
  • Attaching sleeves and facings to the sample bodice
  • Using the body scanner to take bespoke measurements, receive a bespoke block to then fit to the body
  • To create an upper body pattern from your bespoke block

At the end of the course you'll:

  • Be able to demonstrate basic clothes making skills, such as cutting fabrics and basic garment construction techniques for personal sewing projects in the future.
  • Possess improved sewing skills
  • Be knowledgeable in a range of garment construction techniques
  • Have your own fitted bodice block to your precise measurements.
  • Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
  • Have boosted creativity and imagination
  • Be encouraged to experiment and explore your ideas, remembering that there's no right or wrong way to be creative
  • Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
  • 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.

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Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your clothes making 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.

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Customised Pattern Cutting and Fitting (Stage 2)

This 10-week hands-on course gives you the essential skills of pattern making so you'll be able to create your own clothes with confidence.

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More information about evening and weekend courses

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Why choose AUB for your short course?

We're a first-choice provider of art and design short courses for anyone wishing to engage in art and design subjects in their spare time.

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There are plenty of reasons to consider studying a creative short course. Perhaps you want to retrain, learn new skills, or just have fun...

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How to book

Looking to book onto one of our Evening and Saturday courses? You’ll find everything you need to book your place here.

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