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. 

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 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've learnt to the garment of your choice and 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.

Meet your tutor

Mixed media collage with yellow and orange abstract elements on left, central figure in blue top and white trousers, black ink portrait on right.

Alice Kiernander Technician Demonstrator

BA (Hons)

Email me akiernander@aub.ac.uk

What you need to know

Autumn term 2025

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

Spring term 2026

Wednesday 14 January – 18 March 2026 (10 Wednesday 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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Suggested Suppliers

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

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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.

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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

Clothes making gallery

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

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

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

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

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.

A person smiles and sits working at a sewing machine.

Textiles students interacting around a large table

Image of a women setting up a sewing machine

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.

Two people working by a sewing machine in a studio.

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

A short tweed suit jacket hangs on a mannequin against a plain wall.

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.