My friends, you know how much I love picking up sewing tips and tricks from the internet (ah! my precious internet...), but I feel a sudden urge to sit in a classroom and learn some new things surrounded by other students. Do you have any recommendations for good sewing schools or intermediate level courses in London? There are a few I'm interested in at London College of Fashion (where I took a couple of pattern cutting classes last year), including vintage couture techniques and professional sewing techniques, and I'm hunting for other options which aren't too basic and which I think would add sufficient value to what I can learn online.
Have you been on any good sewing courses? Do you have any recommendations?
PS. I've got rubbish internet connection this week so apologies if I don't reply immediately, but rest assured I will get there!
PPS. Inna from Thewallinna and other creatures has volunteered to coordinate the Asia/Oz Sewing Social Twitter Chat - please coordinate with Inna directly either through her blog or via the comments on my previous post. Thank you!
[Soundtrack: 'This May Be the Last Time' by The Staple Singers]
Have you tried any courses at Morley College? They have a massive range of sewing courses for different levels. I've done a couple of pattern-cutting ones based on the Pattern Magic book - and have booked in for their one on the latest stretch fabrics book. And you always bump into a blogger or two!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I did a class at Morley College a while ago but it didn't agree with me for various reasons. I wouldn't rule it out completely if the right course came along though...
DeleteI don't have any recommendations as I live in the states but I think being in a studio surrounded by others is great idea. Good luck at finding a course!
ReplyDeletefashionantidote.com/ could be worth a look. They're based off of Brick Lane (at Unit F 23 Heneage Street, London E1 5LJ).
ReplyDeleteOoh yes, I was looking at them - thanks Claire. I imagine the classes would be very different to LCF.
DeleteI like Morley College as well. They've got a good range of classes at different levels, and some weekend ones as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Tilly, did you take Customized Pattern Cutting and Fitting 1 & 2 at LCF? I did part 1 a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. If you did part 2, would you recommend it? Sorry for not providing any suggestions!
ReplyDeleteAlix x
I did Womenswear 1 and 2 which are about drafting patterns from scratch. I'd recommend them if you are up for making your own patterns. Customised sounds great too, albeit very different I imagine.
DeleteI did the Customized Pattern Cutting and Fitting 1 & 2 at LCF in 2011. The "1" course lasts 9 weeks (3 hours per week - I took the 1-evening per week option), and you draft a bodice block, sleeve block, skirt block and trouser block for it. But instead of using standarized measurements to draft from (e.g. for a UK RTW size 12) you use your own personal measurement - so you learn to draft for a customized fit. In the no. "2" course you expand on basic blocks, and learn to draft a jacket, collar variations, learn about adding features like, pleats, dart manipulation into different style-lines, adding gathers etc. It was a lot of fun - and both of those courses are run by the author of this book: Pattern Cutting. He's a great tutor, I wish there was a Part 3 to his course so I could go & learn more :)!
DeleteThat sounds like a great option for anyone looking to make or alter patterns for themselves. And that book is great.
DeleteI heard about l'atelier de sumrie which was in Holborn but moved to Nottingham hill I believe.
ReplyDeleteOh I'd never heard of them, I'll check them out... ooh just looked, a bit out of my price range, unfortunately. Do you know what they're like?
DeleteAnother vote for Morley College. I'm doing the professional techniques course next term which does a feature each lesson eg different types of pockets, zips etc. The teachers are lovely and because it is government subsidised it is reasonably priced. I did the beginners clothes making all last year and Iearnt so much.
ReplyDeleteI've also discovered RAYSTITCH in Islington but I have nver taken one of their courses. http://www.raystitch.co.uk/classes
ReplyDeleteI'm halfway through a two week course at Raystitch, and loving it! However, I imagine that their courses might not be at the standard you'd need, my class is a beginner's A-line skirt class, and you've probably already got that one down!
ReplyDelete