The Diploma Course led by Jules, covers designing for your own shape and lifestyle, pattern cutting for individual figure shapes, production sewing techniques, tailoring and textile manipulation.
All the skills you need to design and create your own capsule wardrobe.
The year long course is a qualification, and probably not for everyone as it will require commitment and working outside of your comfort zone! Sounds a bit like a ‘new year, get fit’ campaign, doesn’t it? Well, this really will be a workout for your sewing!
Apart from taking your sewing know-how several notches higher, and learning the ‘proper’ ways of achieving the results you want, here are some of the other benefits to joining the Course.
All the tutors on the course are industry professionals and as such are keen to pass on their many years of experience. You will learn from experts and be able to trust their best practice.
We will never leave you floundering or uncertain of what to do. Receive full support from Jules and all the other tutors in the studio and online so you will feel confident of success.
Smaller group sizes means more 1:1 time with the tutor to help you progress and improve your knowledge and skills
There will be plenty of handouts and examples to help you understand the different areas of the course, so even if you haven’t studied for a while this is going to be a LOT OF FUN!
You will be able to watch all the helpful tutorials and videos to support your studies on the Diploma Course
As a Diploma Course Student you will be able to enjoy discounts in the store to help you supplement your fabric stash and habby hoard
If you have to miss a Studio Session, any formal presentations will be recorded and added into the Diploma Course so you can watch them back later. You will also have full support online as well.
You will be joining a community of like-minded and supportive dressmakers who will cheer you on through your studies. Support will keep you motivated to achieve your full potential.
This a marvellous opportunity to gain certification to help you further your skills. Having your achievements recognised in this way is an amazing boost to your confidence.
The course is made up of 5 Units. Each unit needs to be passed to be able to move onto the next.
Leaning about how to take ideas and turn them into the kinds of garments you want to wear, in colours and styles that suit you and your lifestyle. You will create a moodboard to help you focus your ideas and use a sketchbook to collate all your thoughts, fabric swatches and design ideas. You will also learn about presentation methods to showcase your final capsule wardrobe designs.
Most garments are made with woven fabrics so it’s important to understand the process that work best with these types of fabrics so you can make informed choices when making up your garments. You will be making up at least 4 garment using this type of fabric. You will also create a set of basic blocks to help you if you choose to draft your own garment ideas. But you can also choose to use commercial patterns and alter them to fit you.
As well as making garments we will be looking at how fabric can be manipulated to enhance and add decoration to particular shapes. This will involve a visit to the V&A or other relevant exhibition (circumstances permitting). You will also have the opportunity to practice with some printing and dyeing techniques as well as stitched decorative techniques to create some fabric manipulation samples.
A large part of your wardrobe will probably contain knit or stretch fabric clothing. You will learn to draft a basic blocks that you may choose to develop into items of leisurewear. You will also learn about the most appropriate interlinings and tapes to help you achieve better results when working with this kind of fabric.
During this unit you will draft either a basic overgarment block or a trouser block and you may choose to develop this into a garment of your choice. You may choose to use a commercial pattern and adapt this to fit you better. You will learn about fusible or engineered tailoring techniques to create a jacket or coat to complement the rest of your capsule wardrobe.
Learners will need to be available for tuition 2 days a month in the studio, as well as regular online tutorials for additional support. You will also be expected to spend approximately 8 hrs per week working at home.
(May be subject to change)
Learners will need to have the following skills and experience to make the most of their time on the course:
The total cost for the course is £3780. This is broken down into a non-refundable initial payment of £600 to secure your place, then 12 monthly instalments of £265.
But if you have any questions, check the FAQ’s below, you may find your answer there.
Applications will only be considered via this form
Do have a look at the FAQ’s below but if we haven’t answered your question please email us at hello@sewmesomething.co.uk and we’ll be happy to answer any queries you may have.
How long is the course?
The course will last for one calendar year.
How many studio/classroom hours are there?
We will be working on a basis of 2 days tuition per month in the Studio, usually taken together as a Friday and Saturday, (but this may be subject to change). If you are unable to make a particular session Please let us know as soon as possible. We will send you any notes, handouts or links from the taught sections so you will be able to access them afterwards as well. Everyone will also have access to support online.
How will I submit work?
You will need to bring your work to the studio as part of the taught studio sessions, or arrangements will be made for you to send your work to us in the studio for feedback and assessment.
Is there an online or remote option?
From teaching this Diploma previously we have realised that students gain so much more information and knowledge by attending in person here in the studio.
So we have made the decision to only have in person teaching as we want people to be able to get the very most out of this course. So please make sure you are able to attend in person before completing the application form. We fully understand that life happens and sometimes you will not be able to attend in person. But please let us know as soon as possible so we can help you with anything you might miss.
If you are travelling to the studio and wish to stay overnight please let us know so we can send you some suggestions of places we recommend to stay.
What equipment will I need?
You will need your own sewing machine and overlocker as well as a basic sewing kit. You will also need basic pattern cutting equipment such as pencils, rubber, long ruler and a set square or Pattern Master.
You will be required to provide all the fabrics to make your capsule wardrobe, but you will be entitled to 20% from our online shop as a student on the Diploma Course. Or you may have fabrics that you’ve been waiting to use in your stash already.
A full list of equipment and any books that will useful to you while on the course will be sent to you once you have made an application and been accepted onto the course.
Can I join the course if I don't live in the UK?
Sadly we are unable to offer the course to overseas students at the moment. But if that changes we will certainly let you all know.
I am a bit concerned about the academic content as I have been out of education for a while?
Please don’t worry about having to write essays or anything like that!
Most of what we will be doing on the course is practical in terms of designing and making up the garments in your capsule wardrobe. You will need to do some research and write up any notes but there will be lots of help and support to show you the best ways of doing this.
I'm not very good at drawing is this still for me?
Yes absolutely! Don’t worry as we will be providing you with design croquis and templates to help you with your garment ideas. Most design work will be using ‘design flats’ which show the constructional design detail rather than anything too ‘arty’. But if you feel confident with your artistic skills we will not hold you back!
Can the diploma be split into smaller courses?
Unfortunately the Diploma cannot be split into smaller courses. The nature of the Diploma and why we have chosen this particular structure is to make it different to normal sewing courses.
Having the Diploma structured this way with specific units and smaller projects, means that each project builds upon learning achieved in the previous one so they all support each other and build up a comprehensive bank of knowledge and skills when put altogether.
