Suitable for: Adults. Confident sewing machine experience required
Price: £215
Location: Studio 6.03A St Margaret's House, 151 London Road
Dressmaking Course – Create Handmade Clothes You’ll Love Wearing
Learn to make clothes that fit beautifully, flatter your shape and have the professional finish of a handmade wardrobe you’ll be proud to wear.
This 6-week dressmaking course is designed for confident sewists who want to move beyond simple projects and develop the skills needed to create their own garments with confidence.
Whether you want to make a complete outfit from scratch, improve your dressmaking techniques, achieve a better fit, or transform your existing wardrobe through alterations and upcycling, I’ll guide you through the process step by step.
I’ve been dressmaking since I was at school and have also studied Bridalwear and Tailoring, so over the years I’ve gathered countless tips and techniques that help elevate a handmade garment from “homemade” to beautifully handmade.
My aim is simple: to help you create clothes that look professionally finished — the kind of clothes where people ask:
“You made that yourself?”
About the Dressmaking Course
Making your own clothes is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be frustrating when a garment doesn’t fit quite right or the finished result doesn’t look how you imagined.
This course focuses on the skills that make the difference:
- understanding commercial sewing patterns
- choosing the correct size and adjusting for your shape
- improving fit and comfort
- developing professional sewing techniques
- achieving a polished finish
You’ll work on your own chosen garment project, allowing me to tailor the tuition to your goals and help you overcome the challenges that arise during construction.
Who is this course aimed at?
This dressmaking course is suitable for anyone who can already sew confidently and is ready to progress into garment making.
You should have experience using a sewing machine and be comfortable with basic sewing techniques, including:
- sewing straight seams
- creating basic hems
- finishing raw edges
- inserting simple zips and/or sewing buttonholes
You don’t need to be an experienced dressmaker – that’s what the course is for! – but you should already have the foundations in place so we can focus on making clothes rather than learning basic machine skills.
If you’re unsure whether this course is the right level for you, please get in touch before booking. I’m always happy to chat through your experience and recommend the best starting point.
What will I learn?
During the course, I’ll coach you through the techniques needed to create a well-fitting, beautifully finished garment, including:
✓ Choosing an appropriate pattern for your skill level and project goals
✓ Understanding commercial pattern instructions, symbols and markings
✓ Selecting the correct pattern size and making adjustments
✓ Taking measurements and improving garment fit
✓ Altering patterns to achieve a better fit
✓ Professional sewing techniques and finishing details
✓ Troubleshooting common dressmaking challenges
Course arrangements
Small class sizes mean you’ll receive plenty of individual attention throughout the course.
Everyone works on their own project, and I tailor my guidance to your garment, your experience and the techniques you want to develop.
Whether you’re making your first garment, returning to dressmaking after a break, or looking to improve your skills, I’ll help you build confidence and achieve a result you’re proud of.
You’re very welcome to contact me before booking if you have questions about your project, pattern choice or whether this course is suitable for you.
What you’ll need to bring
You’ll need:
- your chosen sewing pattern
- fabric and matching thread
- any required interfacing, zips, buttons or other fastenings
- a basic sewing kit including:
- fabric scissors
- paper scissors
- small sharp embroidery scissors for trimming
- tape measure (marked in centimetres)
- pins
- fabric marking tools
- A Dressmakers curved ruler
- mechanical pencil, rubber & glue stick (for making alterations to your pattern)
Depending on your project, you may also need calico, curtain lining or similar fabric to create a mock-up (known as a toile) to check the fit before cutting into your final fabric.
Pattern-making paper can also be useful if alterations are needed.
Sewing machines and overlockers are available in the studio, or you are welcome to bring your own.
About Artisan Stitch
This course is run by Artisan Stitch, an award-winning sewing school based in Edinburgh. They offer friendly, supportive classes for beginners through to experienced stitchers. Founded by lifelong sewist and now professional sewing tutor Jen Skedd, their small-group courses focus on building confidence, developing practical skills and helping every student achieve success at their own pace.
Whether you’re learning to sew for the first time, making your own clothes or exploring creative textile techniques, you’ll find expert tuition in a welcoming studio environment in the heart of Edinburgh.
To find out more about Artisan Stitch, please visit our Residents Directory profile. Or you can view the full range of classes and workshops, and read student reviews, on their own website.
Booking information
Please check that this course is suitable for your experience level before booking.
Limited places remaining. Book here
(For enquiries, contact jen@artisanstitch.co.uk)
Location details
St. Margaret’s House – Sixth FloorSt. Margaret’s House, 151 London Road
Edinburgh EH7 6AE