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Key details

Course area
Fashion and Textiles
Student type
Courses for 19+ students
Course type
Part-time Further Education course
Course level
Entry Level

Course introduction

It is no longer possible to apply/enrol for this course as there are no course dates available. Please check back later as we may be offering it again in the future.

Community courses are “first steps” for adults to learn new skills, develop confidence, meet others in welcoming classroom. The purpose of courses is to support students into further learning or employment (paid or voluntary).

This practical course is perfect if you want to improve your existing sewing and dressmaking skills and acquire the confidence to produce professional looking items you may want to sell.

This course will teach you how to source materials, cost and price your projects and consider how you may sell the finished project. Topics include:

  • Developing a range of sewing skills for personal projects
  • Working with fabrics, lining and specialised materials
  • Garment construction and design
  • Altering existing patterns
  • Fitting garments
  • Finishing to a professional standard

On this course students will learn techniques and strategies to identify and achieve goals.

You should attend regularly and arrive on time to make best progress on course

You will complete a short diary weekly in class time, to record your progress and receive written tutor feedback.

You will use Microsoft Teams whilst on the course. Microsoft Teams is a free, safe online app used by Nottingham College for tutors to contact students.

Using Teams will also enable you to develop and feel confident using digital skills.

For more information on using Microsoft Teams and the induction process, please visit our Induction Information for Community Students page.

Course information

College Certificate

There are no formal entry requirements but a good standard of English is required. 

Tutors will give regular verbal and written feedback. You will be required to complete an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and encouraged to set your own personal targets as part of this course.

There may be opportunities to progress onto other courses both in the community and at Nottingham College centres. The course tutor can discuss appropriate opportunities if you wish to further your learning in this subject area.

Sewing machines and other large equipment is supplied, but you should aim to bring your own basic sewing kit of scissors, pins and needles, and a tape measure to the first session (all can be bought for about £5).

You will need to buy all materials and threads etc for your project, this cost depends on the fabric purchased, but we encourage re-using, recycling and love charity shops!

You can read more about community courses and your Individual Learning Plan in our Guidance for Community Learners booklet.

Tutor: Talent Nyandoro

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Sewing Machinists

Potential Earnings

£32,362.09

Average Earnings

£21,126.05

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Employment opportunities

The number of job postings in this career for previous years starting from 2022, the current year and projections for future years until 2033.

Sources: The Labour Force Survey (LFS), Working Futures (projections) data, and Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES).

Pathways

Processing and Machine Operation

People in these occupations set up, process, refine, and transform materials and operate industrial machinery.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

Access to Higher Education: Creative Industries (Fashion)

Advanced Fashion - Part-time

Dressmaking Techniques - Part-time