Beginner Sewing – Learn the Fundamentals and Make a Tote Bag in Designer Fabric

About this workshop

Fight fast-fashion and learn to sew your own clothes. This 1-day class is the perfect introduction to sewing. Students will be introduced to sewing and pressing equipment and will create a small library of samplers before making a custom-designed tote bag in Nicola Cerini designer fabric.

Students will learn a variety of techniques and skills including basic seaming, hemming, elastic casing, patch pocket and hand-sewing skills that will provide a solid foundation to undertake basic sewing projects beyond this class.

All materials are included in the class fee as well as resources for learning sewing terminology, fabric and textile technical information and recommendations for books and other resources for further learning.

Participants will take home their completed designer fabric tote bag, their sample library and further information resources.

Students can pre-purchase an optional beginners sewing kit for an additional $49.50 that includes sewing needles, pins, thread, beeswax, tape measure, tailors chalk, tweezers, snips, magnetic seam guide and a storage tin to use in the class. Please note purchasing sewing kits is not essential – shared tools and equipment are available to all students.

Essential information

Required skill level

No previous experience required

What do I need to bring?

Snacks, lunch, water bottle, notepad and pen.

Clothing guidelines

Workshop appropriate - closed toe shoes, no hanging jewellery, hair tied back

Maximum class size

8 participants

What is included?

All instruction, tools and materials included

You will learn

In this workshop, you will learn to operate industrial sewing machines, steam iron equipment and basic manual sewing equipment. You will practice basic machine sewing skills to complete a set of samples with supportive information to enable you to practice your sewing skills at home.