Learn To Sew

By Keeva Stratton

While the knitting fad seems to have lost a stitch, the latest fashionable creative outlet appears to be increasingly popular ‘learn to sew’ classes. Perhaps it’s inspired by Project Runway, or possibly the driving force comes from leaving the nest and realising the cost of caring for garments; regardless, knowing your way around a sewing machine (and, dare I say, a haberdashery store) offers endless possibilities, from the humble hem to haute couture.

Rescu. hunted down some of the hottest classes in town, sew you can get stitching.

The Beginner

Even Valentino had to start somewhere, right? Well, if you know not your bobbins from your backstitch, then a beginner’s class is the best place to, well, begin. Learning to sew can be a great cost-saver, and thankfully classes held at community colleges, and in the community, are also light on the purse.

Sydney Community College offers Sew Simple, a 12-hour machine basics course, for $205.00.

Artspark in inner west Rozelle offers a course of five 2-hour adult workshops for $130.00 (and they offer sewing birthday parties; presumably for children!).

Or, if you have specific aims, the Sew Inn classes held by fabric favourite Tessuti Fabrics in Melbourne deal specifically with areas such as sleeves, or transforming high street clothing into the perfect fit for your body.

The Intermediate

When you’re starting to master the basics, it might be time to really unleash your creativity with some intermediate courses, with skills such as pattern making, or even a more specialised field such as millenary.

You’ll find some interesting short-course options at TAFE NSW and Melbourne’s Designer Stich; or learn the art of Millinery with Jane Stoddart.

The Budding Designer

If learning to sew has you unable to stop, perhaps it’s time to think about a career in fashion and design. TAFEs, colleges and specialist design schools offer a range of intensive and professional courses that could get you runway ready.

For full time courses, Sydney-siders should check out The Fashion Institute, FBI Fashion College or the Whitehouse Institute of Design (which also has a Melbourne Campus).

If you’re in Melbourne, you may want to visit the Melbourne Fashion Institute, Melbourne School of Fashion, or even RMIT.