FASHION SEWING: ESSENTIAL GARMENT-MAKING TECHNIQUES - Saturday 31 October

Ready to move on from beginner sewing? Build your dressmaking skills in a day with key garment-making techniques at Conway Mill, Belfast. So, you can sew — what’s next? Spend a day immersed in a real fashion design studio and take your sewing skills to the next level with must-know garment-making techniques. This all-day intensive course is designed for those who already know how to confidently thread and sew on a machine and are ready to move beyond the basics. Building on your existing skills, you’ll learn a focused range of essential techniques used when making clothes, giving you the confidence and know-how to progress your sewing. Learn professional techniques used within the fashion industry - the same core skills taught within fashion college and degree programmes, explained step by step in an easy-to-follow way. This all-day class is taught by studio owner MaryRose McGrath, a womenswear designer with thirty years of experience in the fashion industry. During her career, she has designed in London for many high street brands, including M&S, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Oasis & Arcadia. The studio is the ultimate place to learn, as students are surrounded by the workings of a real fashion design studio — sketches & swatches, designs in work, mood boards & mannequins. One-to-one tuition is guaranteed for every student in class, and the course has been specifically designed to fast-track your sewing skills in one focused session, so you leave with a wealth of new knowledge, stronger skills and the confidence to tackle techniques with precision. For past student feedback, see our 5-star course reviews below. YOU WILL LEARN: • Machine-sewn hems — learn how to achieve even hems with a neat, professional finish. • Zip insertion — learn how to insert a standard zip neatly and accurately • In-seam pockets — learn how to add beautiful neat pockets that sit in the side seam of a garment. • How to sew a collar — learn how to construct and shape a collar • Clipping & notching — learn essential techniques for achieving smooth curves and sharp corners. • Sewing darts — learn how to sew clean, accurate darts to create shape and contour in clothing. • Working with boning — discover how boning is used to add structure and support to clothes and learn how to insert it correctly. • Bias binding — learn how to attach binding neatly for a clean, polished look around garment edges. • Elastic casings & waistbands — learn how to create a casing and insert elastic or drawcords neatly for waistbands and other gathered finishes. • Gathering fabric evenly — learn how to create and control even gathers for skirts, sleeves and frills. • French seams — discover how to construct this immaculate seam finish used in couture garments. • Accurate seam allowances, construction & pressing — learn the essential techniques used throughout garment construction that make a huge difference to the finished result. As you progress through the day, you’ll create your own sewn samples of each technique, building a go-to swatch collection to take home and use for future sewing projects. What makes this class different from the rest? Step inside a real working fashion studio and discover key garment-making techniques, using the methods and skills found in the fashion industry. Taught by a fashion designer with over 30 years’ experience, you’ll learn the right way to achieve professional results with expert, in-depth tuition. Enjoy a whole day sewing in an inspiring fashion studio, with professional tools, fabrics, trims and threads provided for you to work with throughout the day. It’s the perfect next step to elevate your sewing skills, leaving you inspired, confident and equipped with a whole new set of practical skills, ready to take on your own sewing projects at home. Come along on your own, or make a day of it with a friend. It’s a fun way to learn, meet new people and enjoy sewing together. Who is this class suitable for? This course is for sewers aged 18+ who already know how to use a sewing machine. You should be able to thread your machine and bobbin, sew seams and have completed some beginner sewing projects. Whether you’ve learned through a class, taught yourself at home or completed our Beginner Sewing course, if you’re comfortable with the basics and ready to build on your skills, this is the perfect next step. Please note: Beginner sewing and machine basics are not taught during this class. This course is not suitable for complete beginners or anyone who needs help threading, setting up or using a sewing machine. If you're new to sewing, please join one of our Beginner Sewing courses first. Upcoming dates can be found on MaryRose McGrath Design's Eventbrite page. Where is the course held? The course is held in MaryRose's fashion design studio in Conway Mill, Belfast. The address is Conway Mill, 5-7 Conway Street, Belfast BT13 2DE. How old do you need to be to take part in the class? You must be aged 18 or over to attend this course. Do I need to bring a sewing machine with me? Yes. Please bring your own sewing machine with you, as you should already be familiar with using it. If you don't own a sewing machine, or would prefer not to bring yours to the course, you can hire one of our studio machines for £10 for the day. Please book machine hire in advance by adding Sewing Machine Hire to your booking at checkout. If you bring your own machine and it is not working on arrival, a studio machine will be provided for you to use during the class, with the £10 hire fee payable on the day. What is the price of the class? The course costs £99 per person and includes at least 6 hours of tuition, use of the design studio and equipment, along with the fabrics, trims, threads and handouts used during the class. How do I book the course? Book online via Eventbrite: You can book this course online through Eventbrite using PayPal. An online booking fee applies when booking online. Book directly through the studio (no booking fee): To book through the studio, please email [email protected] What do I need to bring with me? Please bring the following to the course: • A large notebook for taking notes and for pinning in your technique swatches for future reference • A pen for taking notes • Your sewing machine in full working order (studio machines are available to hire if you do not have one or would prefer not to bring your own) • Glasses, if required, for close-up work and threading small needles Please ensure you have used and checked your sewing machine before attending the course and that it is in full working order. If your machine requires servicing or repair, this should be arranged before the class. The full day is dedicated to teaching and practising techniques, so your tutor is unable to check, troubleshoot or repair sewing machines before or during the class. If your machine is not working when you arrive, you will need to hire one of our studio machines for the day. Can I buy a professional sewing kit? Professional results require professional tools - during class you will use studio equipment, and your pre-ordered kit will be ready for you to take home afterwards. This way you are guaranteed to have the correct tools required to continue sewing successfully at home. Pre-order price: £29.99 (pre-order at checkout) Studio price: £35 - limited availability Kit includes: * 25cm Fabric shears * Snips * Dressmaking pins * Magnetic pin holder * Seam allowance guide * Tailors chalk * Air erasable fabric marker * Tape measure * Hand sewing sharps needles Other questions are answered in the FAQ section below. Where to Meet Before Class Starts:The studio is closed before class begins. MaryRose will meet all students at Conway Mill reception (on the ground floor) at 9:30 a.m. and will bring you to the studio on the second floor. Both lifts and stairs are available. Terms and conditions of booking: 1.