Author: Collette Costello

Join this session to learn how to stitch a dress with an elasticated waist skirt. To help you practise sewing techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Kit
• Iron/ Protective Sheet

Pre-cut Kit Includes:

• 1 x Top Front Dress
• 2 x Top Back Dress
• 1 x Front Skirt Panel
• 1 x Top Front Facing/ Interfacing
• 2 x Back Front Facing/ Interfacing
• 2 x Back Skirt Panel
• 2 x Patterned Strips
• 1 x Elastic Strip

You will need to be able to:

• Thread-up a sewing machine
• Stitch straight/ zig-zag stitch

Introduction How to Sew a Dress

To stitch a dress with elasticated waist. Complete the tasks in the step by step videos below.

Extras:

• This dress is stitched with a seam allowance of 1.5cm.
• Facing pieces are used to line the neck on your dress.

Task 1 – Attach Interfacing & Overlocking Edges

Task 2 – Attach Facing & Turn Out Straps

Task 3 – Attach skirt Panels

Task 4 – Stitch Dress Straps

Task 5 – Stitch Side Seams & Iron Flat

Task 6 – Fitting Elastic to Waist Seam

Task 7 – Pin & Stitch on the Elastic

Task 8 – Close Back, Top Stitch Neck Opening

Task 9 – Stitching Rolled Hem

Support Video – How to Shorten Hem

Task 10 – Stitch on Ruffles

How to Add Gathering Ease (Ruffles)

How to Stitch on Hook & Eye

End of Session

Join this session to learn how to stitch an elasticated waist skirt. To help you practise sewing techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Kit
• Iron/ Protective Sheet
• Bodkin or Large Safety Pin

Pre-cut Kit Includes:

• 2 x Fabric Strips
• 2 x Pattern Fabric
• 1 x Elastic Strip

You will need to be able to:

• Thread-up a sewing machine
• Stitch straight/ zig-zag stitch

Introduction How to Sew Elasticated Skirt

To stitch an elasticated skirt. Complete the tasks in the step by step videos below.

Task 1 – Over-lock Edges

Task 2 – Stitch Side Seams, Iron Flat

Task 3 – Fold, Iron, Attach Waistband

Task 4 – Insert Elastic into Waistband

Task 5 – Adjust Elastic Size Waistband

Task 6 – Stitch Side Seam Closed

Task 7 – Hemming Skirt

Support Video – How to Shorten Hem

End of Session

This session is designed to help you learn how to use your sewing machine and practise basic stitches.

The session includes 6 tasks to practise stitching basic stitches:

1. Straight Stitch
2. Zig-zag Stitch
3. Stitching Corners
4. Stitching Curves
5. Sewing a Star
6. Over-locking Edges

Use your basic stitches practise sheet during this session. To complete tasks in the step by step videos below:

Top Sewing Tips

Before you start this class, to get the most out of learning to sew online.

Watch any videos that you find helpful in the ‘Sewing Support“ section. Videos include advice on how to thread a sewing machine and many other top tips.

Get to know your sewing machine

For extra help with your sewing machine see to video below, with top 10 tips on what to do when your machine gets jammed:

• Top 10 fixes, my machine won’t sew 

Introduction to using a sewing machine

Now you are ready to start practise sewing basic stitches on your sewing machine, by following the step by step videos below.

How to make your practice sheet:

Task 1: Straight Stitch

Task 2: Zig-zag Stitch

Task 3: Stitching Corner

Task 4: Stitching Curves

Task 5 Stitching a Star

Task 6 Over-lock Edges

How to Make Tote Bags

During this session, you will learn how to stitch a tote bag. To help you practise basic sewing techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Scissors
• Dressmaking Pins
• Iron/ Protective Sheet
• Tote Bag Kit

Pre-cut Kit Includes:

• 2 X Pattern Fabric
• 2 x Straps

You will need to be able to:

• Thread-up a sewing machine
• Stitch straight/ zig-zag stitch

Introduction How to Sew Tote Bag

To stitch a tote bag. Complete the tasks in the step-by-step videos below.

Task 1 – Over-locking Edges

Task 2 – Hemming Top Edges

For extra support see video: What are notches?

Task 3 – Pinning Straps

Task 4 – Stitching Straps

Task 5 – Layering & Pinning Fabric

Task 6 – Stress Seams

Task 7 – Stitching Seams

Task 8 – Turning Bag Inside Out

You can reinforce handles by stitching a cross across them.

End of Session

Join this session to learn how to stitch an eye mask. To help you practise sewing techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Kit
• Iron/ Protective Sheet

Pre-cut Kit Includes:

• 1 x Elastic Strips
• 1 x Fabric Strip
• 2 x Eye Mask Fabric
• 1 x Wadding Fabric

You will need to be able to:

• Thread-up a sewing machine
• Stitch straight stitch

Introduction How to Sew an Eye Mask

Task 1 – Folding Fabric Strip

Task 2 – Marking Fabric & Elastic Strips

Task 3 – Pin Elastic to Fabric Strip

Task 4 – Stitch on Elastic Strip

Task 5 – Mark Notches with Chalk

Task 6 – Layer and Pin Pieces

Task 7 – Trim Wadding and Snip Edges

Task 8 – Top Stitch Opening

Join this session to learn how to stitch a cushion cover. To help your practise basic sewing techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Scissors
• Dressmaking Pins
• Iron/ Protective Sheet

Pre-cut Kit Includes:

• 1 x Front Fabric
• 2 x Back Fabric

You will need to be able to:

• Thread-up a sewing machine
• Stitch straight stitch

Introduction How to Sew a Cushion Cover

To stitch a cushion cover. Complete the tasks in the step by step videos below.

Task 1 – Over-locking Edges

Task 2 – Using Notches

Task 3 – Ironing Hems

Task 4 – Layering Fabric

Task 5 – Pinning Edges

Task 6 – Stitching Seams

Task 7 – Task 7 Cutting Corners

Task 8 – Turning Cushion Inside Out

End of Session

Join this session to learn how to stitch a drawstring bag. To help you practise sewing techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Kit
• Iron/ Protective Sheet
• Bodkin

The ‘Sewing for Success’ drawstring kit will includes:

• 2 x Paper Patterns
• 1 x Cotton String (5mm)
• 2 x Bag Fabric
• 1 x Pocket Fabric

How to Sew a Drawstring Bag Online Classes

You will need to be able to:

• Thread-up a sewing machine
• Stitch straight stitch
• Zig-zag Stitch

Introduction How to Sew Drawstring Bag

Task 1: Check Notches & Overlock Edges

Task 2: Pin and Stitch Pocket

Watch video on how to top stitch pocket hem edge:

Task 3: Stitch Pocket Edges

Task 4: Stitch Bag Edges & Opening

Task 5: Fold & Stitch Casing

Task 6: Thread Cord Through Casing

Join this session to learn how to stitch a pair of coasters. To help you practise basic sewing techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Scissors
• Dressmaking Pins
• Iron/ Protective Sheet

Pre-cut Kit Includes:

• 1 x Interfacing
• 2 x Fabric

You will need to be able to:

• Thread-up a sewing machine
• Stitch straight/ zig-zag stitch

Introduction How to Sew Coaster

To stitch the pair of coasters. Complete the tasks in the step by step videos below.

Task 1 – Layering Fabric & Interfacing

Task 2 – Using Notches

Task 3 – Straight Seams

Task 4 – Stitching Seams

Task 5 – Cutting Corners

Task 6 – Turning Right Way

Task 7 – Top Stitching

End of Session

Join this session to learn how to stitch a pair of trousers with an elasticated waist. To help you practise basic dressmaking techniques and become more confident at sewing.

To take part you will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Basic Sewing Kit
• Iron/ Protective Sheet
• Bodkin or Large Safety Pin

Pre-cut Kit Includes:

• 1 x Pattern Fabric
• 1 x Elastic Strip
• 2 x Polka Dot Fabric

Introduction How to Sew Elasticated Waist Trousers

Task 1 Over-lock Fabric Edges

Task 2 Stitch Front and Back Pieces

Task 3 – Attach Waistbands

Task 4 – Top Stitch Waistband

• For extra support see – Part 3 Top Stitch Waistband

Task 5 – Fold and pin waist-band

Task 5a – Top-stitch waistband

Task 6 – Insert Elastic Waistband

• For extra support: Insert and Adjust Elastic

Task 7 – Top Stitch Waistband

Task 8 – Hemming Trouser Legs

• For extra support: How to Sew a Hem

End of Session