Womenswear Design and Making

Do you dream of designing then making your own clothes? But not sure how to get started? This fashion design course will take you step by step from your initial design to constructing your completed garment.

Garment production:

For the first part of the course you’ll cover the practical elements needed to help create your garment. There will be an introduction to using the industrial sewing machines, learning the key techniques to help put your garment together.

Design:

You’ll start by visiting a gallery/museum for inspiration to explore a concept to begin your design research. Here you’ll investigate different methods of research. You’ll also be shown how to create concept boards, research, and current trends and colour boards using different media to express your ideas both digitally and by hand. You’ll then design your own skirt range, through a range of mix media methods, which are initially developed through experimenting with paper creations. You will also learn how to create digital flats, in order to clarify in detail your design ideas.

Pattern cutting:

You’ll then move on to learn the fundamentals of womenswear pattern cutting for skirts. Using a ½ scale standard size 12 skirt block, you’ll investigate how to create a range of pattern pieces for different skirt styles. The course will also cover a brief introduction to grading and how to modify your pattern for a better fit, and how to translate your design onto a full scale pattern.

Garment development:

For the final part of the course you’ll select your chosen skirt design (under the guidance of the tutor) and be helped through the process of using all your newly learnt skills to bring your design to life as a completed calico sample garment either in ½ scale or full scale to enable future independent development in dress fabric. A shopping trip is included in the course where the tutor will advise on the correct fabrics and trimmings for your garment. Purchase of fabrics and trimmings is optional.

Beginners. You should have an interest in the subject area and a desire to learn but no previous experience is required.

Your course place is confirmed once you have booked online or via the phone using a credit or debit card. There is no deadline for booking. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, and all courses have a maximum number of students. We suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.