Ready to move on from beginner sewing? Build your dressmaking skills in a day with key garment-making techniques in Conway Mill, Belfast.

So, you can sew — what’s next?

Elevate your sewing skills, mastering must-know garment-making techniques inside a real working fashion design studio.

This all-day intensive course is perfect for those who already know how to thread and sew on a machine and are ready to move beyond the basics. Building on your existing skills, you’ll learn a wide range of essential garment-making techniques, giving you the confidence and know-how to move on to more ambitious projects.

Discover the exact techniques used within the fashion industry — the same core skills covered on fashion college and degree programmes, taught step by step in an easy-to-follow way.

Spend an inspiring day sewing, practising and creating your own technique samples to take home, building an invaluable reference library you can return to again and again.

Your tutor is studio owner MaryRose McGrath, a womenswear designer with a thirty-year career in the fashion industry. Before returning home to Northern Ireland, she designed in London for many leading high street brands, including M&S, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Oasis & Arcadia.

Far from a typical classroom, the studio is the ultimate place to learn: enjoy the unique experience of spending the day inside a beautiful design studio, surrounded by sketches & swatches, designs in progress, mood boards & mannequins.

One-to-one tuition is guaranteed for every student, with the course specifically designed to make the most of every minute. You’ll be amazed by how much you can learn and achieve in just one day.

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

YOU WILL LEARN:

Hems — learn how to achieve even hems with a neat, professional finish.

Zip insertion — learn how to insert a standard zip neatly and accurately

Pockets — learn how to add beautiful neat pockets that sit in the side seam of a garment.

How to sew a collar — learn how to construct and shape a collar

Clipping & notching — learn essential techniques for achieving smooth curves and sharp corners.

Sewing darts — learn how to sew clean, accurate darts to create shape and contour in clothing.

Working with boning — discover how boning is used to add structure and support to clothes and learn how to insert it correctly.

Bias binding — learn how to attach binding neatly for a clean, polished look around garment edges.

Casings & waistbands — learn how to create a casing and insert elastic or drawcords neatly for waistbands and other gathered finishes.

Gathering fabric evenly — learn how to create and control even gathers for skirts, sleeves and frills.

French seams — discover how to construct this immaculate seam finish used in couture garments.

Accurate seam allowances, construction & pressing — learn the essential techniques used throughout garment construction that make a huge difference to the finished result.

As you progress through the day, you’ll create your own sewn samples of each technique, building a go-to swatch collection to take home and use for future sewing projects.

✨What makes this class different from the rest?

Step inside a real working fashion design studio for a sewing class with a difference. This isn’t your typical sewing or craft class — you’ll receive expert tuition backed by decades of real fashion-industry experience, learning the correct methods and techniques used in professional garment making. Not simply how to complete a technique, but how to do it properly.

This is a hands-on day with a huge amount packed in. Small class numbers mean individual guidance is always available when you need it, helping you master each technique and move confidently onto the next.

Come along on your own, or make a day of it with a friend. It’s a fun, inspiring way to learn, meet like-minded people and enjoy a day surrounded by all things sewing and fashion.

✨Who is this class suitable for?

This course is for sewers aged 18+ who already know how to use a sewing machine. You should be able to thread your machine and bobbin, sew seams and have completed some beginner sewing projects.

Whether you’re fairly new to sewing or returning to it after a few years away, if you’re comfortable with the basics and ready to build your skills, this is the perfect next step.

Please note: Beginner sewing and machine basics are not taught during this class. This course is not suitable for complete beginners or anyone who needs help threading, setting up or using a sewing machine.

If you're new to sewing, please join one of our Beginner Sewing courses first. Upcoming dates can be found on MaryRose McGrath's Eventbrite page.

✨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.

✨How old do you need to be to take part in the class?

You must be aged 18 or over to attend this course.

Description supplied by the event organiser.