You master both sides of the craft — the hands-on skill, and the theory that makes it professional.

More than 150 sewing techniques, learned and practised across 13 real projects — from your very first drawstring bag to a fully tailored men’s shirt. Behind each simple-looking piece is a full syllabus of professional skill.

1. Drawstring Bag — machine basics: operating the machine, using your tools, changing feet, pinning, cutting, sewing a straight line, backtacks, a drawstring casing, a narrow seam allowance, and zig-zag edge-neatening.
2. Fold-Over Cushion — a simple seamed item: a wide seam allowance, straight seams, turning out corners, pivoting, finger-pressing, and slip-stitching an opening closed.
3. Placemat — edges & finishing: cutting corners, following guidelines, the Oxford stitch, quilting, and neat edge finishing.
4. Wrap-Over Skirt — your first garment: body measurements, tracing patterns, fabric layout, nap, warp & weft, selvedge & grain, top-stitching, seam finishes, overlocking, pressing, single- and double-fold hems, edge-stitching, making loops, and 1- and 4-step buttonholes.
5. Tote Bag — a lined bag with hardware: double-thread sewing, locking stitches without backtacking, lining, contrast fabrics, a magnetic snap, press-studs, a zippered pocket, decorative top-stitching, different strap methods, and appliqués.
6. Shell Top — shaping to the body: interfacing and fusing (Vilene theory), block vs piece fusing, facings, overlocking curves, understitching, clipping curves, sewing a slit, gathering, how patterns relate to body shape, and open vs closed seams.
7. Zip Cushion — professional zips: different kinds of zips, tacking, inserting a concealed zip, aligning front to back once the zip is in, overlocking in a circle, and stitch-length theory.
8. Leggings — sewing stretch: sewing with stretch, using a stretch guide, testing stretch, different stretch fabrics, choosing the right needles, overlocking with stretch, the stretch stitch, zig-zags on stretch, and attaching elastic.
9. T-Shirt — knit garments: twin-needle sewing, making cuffs, trimming seam allowance, inserting sleeves, sewing ribbing, finding the right neckline size for stretch, and neckline finishing.
10. Raglan Blouse — sleeves & detail: sleeve theory, the bias, raglan sleeves, making continuous binding, flounces, ease around the body, buttonhole placement, buttons by hand and machine, different buttons and their buttonholes, and piece fusing.
11. Casual Pants — trousers: elasticated channels, sewing pants, laying out pants, matching seams, shortening and lengthening, patch pockets, in-seam pockets, and sewing on an industrial machine.
12. Piped Cushion — piping: making piping from scratch and from ready-made, how to pipe, and piping neatly around corners.
13. Formal Men’s Shirt — the tailored capstone: double-line top-stitching, straight top-stitching with guide lines, a button stand, different collars, a two-piece collar, inserting sleeves on non-stretch, a yoke, a pleat, a narrow hem, sleeve cuffs, a placket, buttonhole rotation and placement, and identifying menswear vs womenswear by button placement.

By the time you finish, there's very little inside a professionally-made garment you won't understand — and be able to make yourself.

You earn a real qualification — assessed as you work, independently checked, then certified by the QCTO. Here’s how it works.

1. Assessed by doing — you pass by proving hands-on skill and actually making the pieces. Two parts: a practical assessment as you learn, then a final assessment at the end by a qualified, accredited assessor.
2. Checked & moderated — your work is checked twice: internally by our accredited assessors and moderator, then externally through QCTO quality assurance. That independent check is what makes your certificate credible — an employer knows it was properly earned, not signed off in-house.
3. Certified by the QCTO — once you’ve passed and been externally verified, the QCTO issues your official, nationally recognised certificate. We’re not permitted to issue it ourselves — which is exactly what keeps it credible.

A quick note: allow a little time after the course for your certificate to be published. We have to wait for the QCTO to issue it, so it’s genuinely not in our hands.

Our studio is big and professional, with room to spread out — and every student gets their own dedicated workstation.

Classes run Monday to Thursday, 8:30am–4pm, over five months — 72 teaching days of hands-on practical and theory. Day one is 17 August. There's just one intake this year, with enrolment open until 30 September.