Learn to Sew with Confidence!

Learn-in-a-day absolute beginner sewing, fitting & alterations course at Conway Mill, Belfast.

Would you love to learn how to use a sewing machine with confidence and develop the skills to start fitting and altering your own clothes?

This all-day intensive course is designed especially for complete beginners and those returning to sewing. Starting from scratch, you'll learn how to sew on a machine with precision, while covering a focused range of essential garment fitting and alterations skills.

Learn professional techniques used within the fashion industry, drawing on 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 for many high street brands, including Oasis, M&S, Debenhams, Arcadia, House of Fraser and more.

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, helping you progress from nervous novice to confident sewer by the end of the day.

For past student feedback, see our 5-star course reviews below.

✨ What you'll learn in class:

UNDERSTAND YOUR SEWING MACHINE, FABRICS & PRO TOOLS

Understanding your sewing machine — learn how your machine works, how a stitch is formed and what all those confusing dials, knobs and machine parts actually do

Understanding fabric types — learn how different fabrics are constructed and why this affects the way we sew them

Needles, threads & stitches — learn which needle, thread and stitch to choose for different fabrics — and why

Stitch length & tension — learn what they mean, why they matter and how to identify and fix common stitch problems

Machine threading & bobbins — learn how to thread your machine correctly and wind and insert your bobbin

Sewing tools — learn about the specialist tools used for sewing and garment construction in the fashion industry, what they're used for and how to use them correctly

PROFESSIONAL SEWING TECHNIQUES

Precision sewing techniques — learn how to control and manoeuvre fabric, sew with millimetre precision, pivot accurately and sew around corners and curves

Constructing accurate seams — learn how to sew accurate seams to achieve a clean, professional finish

Understanding seam allowances — learn why seam allowances matter in garment construction, fitting and alterations

Fabric cutting & pinning techniques — learn how to cut fabric accurately, use fabric shears correctly and pin fabric ready for sewing

Pressing techniques — learn how and when to press as you sew

MASTER THE FOUNDATIONS OF GARMENT FITTING & ALTERATIONS

Garment sizing & ease — understand how sizing and ease work in garments

Measuring the body — learn how to take accurate body measurements and understand how stance and posture can affect fitting techniques

Fitting garments — learn step by step how to assess the fit and correctly pin a garment on the body

Taking in & letting out — learn how to transfer pinned alterations accurately, take in a garment and calculate how much fabric is available when letting it out

Hemming techniques — learn how to measure accurately and use different hemming techniques for a polished finish

Darts & shaping — understand how darts create shape in a garment and learn how to construct and sew them with accuracy

✨What makes this class different from the rest?

This isn't an ordinary sewing or craft class. Step inside a real working fashion studio and immerse yourself in the world of professional sewing, learning real-world techniques used every day in the fashion industry.

Experience expert, in-depth sewing tuition, with your own Brother sewing machine, pro tools, and the fabric and thread you need — all included. It’s the perfect starting point for your sewing journey, leaving you inspired, confident and equipped with a whole new set of skills, ready to take on projects and alterations using techniques that help you achieve superb results.

✨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.

✨Who is this course suitable for?

This course is perfect for absolute beginners age 18+ who have never used a sewing machine before and don't know where to start - it is also ideal for those who have not sewn in years and need a refresher course to get back on track.

Garment alterations and fitting techniques are covered, so the course is suited for those who want to tailor their clothes for a personalised fit.

✨What age do you have to be to take part in the class?

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