10 Week Course // Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 9pm // Cost: £385 (includes pattern) // Level: Pure Beginner // April 8 - June 24 (No Classes May 27 & June 3)
Instructor: Cassandra Belanger Founder of The Stitchery, Co-Founder of Zero Waste Design Collective and Founding Member of Sustainable Fashion Scotland // Location: The Stitchery Studio, 2/2 203 Deanston Drive, G41 3JT
Making your own clothes is about learning to BE YOURSELF. Choose your own fabric; fit it to your own unique body; express your own unique style. If you're tired of wearing low quality, ill-fitting and generic hi-street clothing, then this course is your opportunity to break from the herd.
About This Course
Led by Stitchery Founder Cassandra Belanger, this is a ten week, in-depth introduction to sewing clothes for beginners. The course will equip students with a comprehensive set of basic skills that you can develop and apply to a range of clothing types. Learn how to use and maintain a sewing machine, work with paper patterns, and understand different fabrics. We’ll practice basic techniques on small samples, then apply them to constructing a simple top – a versatile zero waste pattern designed by Cassandra that can be customised in many ways to suit your style, in a fabric of your choice. Students will be walked through the process of making a garment with sustainability in mind. We’ll talk about fibres, textile production, and textile waste amongst other important topics. You will be encouraged to develop a practice of zero waste sewing.
All body shapes and sizes welcome. We are a LGBTQI+ friendly and safe space. People of all genders, sizes, and backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to attend this course.
“This was a wonderful introduction to the basics of sewing, presented with a really helpful step-by-step approach, and has given me the confidence to read and understand patterns, and use the techniques learned to sew a well-fitting item of clothing! I would recommend this wonderful course to everyone. I found the classes really detailed but accessible. Cassandra is a lovely and extremely knowledgeable teacher. I’ll be signing up for more sewing with The Stitchery in the future!”
Student Testimonial, 2021
Skill Level & What to Bring
This is a Beginner level course, which means it's suitable for absolute beginners, or anyone with limited experience who wants to firm up the basics. There is a sewing machine available for each student, although you can bring your own if you like.
And don't worry if you might miss one or two classes; we've plenty of opportunities to catch up through our additional sewing sessions or private tuition.
Outcomes
A basic set of sewing skills; a basic understanding of how to make clothes; and the confidence to go on and try more.
An item of clothing made by you, to fit your body and in the fabric and style of your choice.
A sample book, made by you and full of the techniques you've learned as part of the course that you can reference in the future.
An understanding of how to make clothes that consider the impact on people and the planet.
An understanding of zero waste sewing.
A Making Clothes for Beginners e-book for future reference.
Booking Your Place
To book your place on this course, you will pay a non-refundable Booking Deposit of £50 + fees through Eventbrite which goes towards total course cost. The remaining balance of £335 is due no later that 14 days PRIOR to course start. Once you’ve booked a place on the course, you will receive the details to bank transfer the final amount. We divide course costs in this way to additional external fees. Please familiarise yourself with our Terms & Conditions before making your booking.
In response to the cost of living crisis, we offer one subsidised seat per class to ease the burden on our community. If you are committed to learning and experiencing financial hardship, please reach out.
NOTE: You can pay by PayPal or any major debit/credit card. You do not need a PayPal account to make a booking. Simply click on the link which says "pay with a debit or credit card". It looks like this. Please note that deposits are non-refundable.
About your Tutor
Cassandra Belanger (she/her) has 14 years of experience working in sustainable design, textiles and garment construction with a Masters in Fashion + Textiles focussing on zero waste design. Her work is an invitation to a more sustainable future and education is at the centre of her creative practice. She is the Founder of The Stitchery Studio, Co-Founder of the Zero Waste Design Collective and Founding Member of Sustainable Fashion Scotland. She is the Resident Sewing Instructor at the Central Scottish School of Craft and previously a Fashion and Textile Lecturer at Glasgow West College. Her research interests centre around sustainable fashion and textile design education and fashion systems for a post growth economy. Her design and teaching practice explores issues such as zero waste, waste colonialism, transparency, feminism, sizeism, and body image. Cassandra is committed to decolonising her teaching practice.
More Info:
During class tea and coffee will be available.
All of our classes are suitable for over 18s, younger crafters may be accommodated if accompanied by a participating adult but please contact us before booking
If the workshop you were looking at is fully booked drop us an email and we’ll add you to the waiting list.
If you need to cancel, we need at least two weeks notice. Please read our cancellation policy before booking.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions please have a look at our FAQs page. If you don't find your answer in either of these places, then please feel free to contact us.
The Stitchery operates under a business model of full transparency. If you have any questions about how we cost our courses and what the breakdown of costs is, please feel free to get in touch for more information.
Non-Refundable Deposit
All of our courses and workshops require a deposit to book your place. Please note that the deposit is completely non-refundable.
Cancellation & Course Fees Refund
Because of the popularity of our courses and the limited number of spaces available, we've now introduced a Cancellation & Refund Policy. If you cancel your booking 14 or more full days before the start date of your course or workshop, you will be refunded the balance of your fees. This is equivalent to your full course fees minus your non-refundable deposit.
If you decide to cancel your place once the course has started, a refund is not guaranteed. In this situation we shall review the circumstances of the cancellation before deciding on appropriate solution.