1:1 Private Tuition Sessions
1:1 Private Tuition Sessions
We are able to provide 1:1 sewing tuition in the comfort of your own home. This means we can personalise the sessions to suit your requirements. We have developed a set of sessions, based on previous requests, and all sessions are delivered by Karron. As a qualified teacher, she understands that everyone learns at a different rate, and in different ways. Your personalised session will be adapted to suit you as a learner, and you will be supported every step of the way – there is no pressure to achieve all of the session outcomes.
Areas we cover are:
YELLOW ZONE – includes Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland, Bowburn
PURPLE ZONE – includes Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Middlesbrough, Peterlee, Chester-le-Street, Hartlepool, Stanley
We are able to offer tuition sessions during the day, at weekends, and in the evenings. To arrange a session, simply complete the contact form on our website and Karron will be in touch to arrange a time. She will also explain how to complete your booking online.
Sewing Taster Session (1 hour) for complete beginners
Getting to know your sewing machine A (2 hours)
Getting to know your sewing machine B (2 hours)
Sewing Taster Session (1 hour)
This Taster Session is aimed at beginner sewers who have just purchased their first machine, or who would like to have a go at sewing before investing in their own machine. This is a 1:1 session.
Note: A sewing machine can be provided for beginner sewers who do not own their own machine. Please request this when booking your session.
Session outcomes:
- Health and Safety
- Introduction to the main parts of a sewing machine
- Loading a bobbin
- Threading a sewing machine
- Changing a needle
- Basic stitches (straight stitch and reverse stitch)
- Let’s get sewing! – Make a pincushion (fabric provided)
- Cleaning your machine
(Please note that this is a guide as we all learn at different rates – there is no pressure on the student to cover everything! We just want you to learn at your own pace and enjoy sewing!)
We will provide:
- Handouts will be provided at the end of the session including sewing practise sheets to help you to develop your sewing skills.
- Fabric to use during the session.
- Ideas for some simple projects to develop your confidence and skills.
Getting to know your machine A (2 hours) A 1:1 sewing lesson for beginner sewers. The Getting to know your machine session is aimed at beginner sewers who have completed a Taster Session (1 hour).
- Sewing machine feet – choosing the right one for the job
- All about sewing machine needles
- Basic sewing tools – when and how to use them
- Let’s get sewing! – Make a drawstring bag
- Sewing machine tension
- Getting to know your stitches
- Let’s get sewing! – Make a stitch sample sampler
- Using a standard buttonhole foot
- Troubleshooting – common problems and how to solve them
- a sewing machine
- *fat quarter (for drawstring bag)
- *1m of half inch cotton tape
- *½m of white/cream craft cotton or calico
- *contrasting thread
- *universal sewing machine needles
- Handouts will be provided at the end of the session.
- We will also recommend some simple projects for you to develop your confidence and skills.
- Practise fabric squares and buttons
Getting to know your machine B (2 hours)
A 1:1 sewing lesson for complete beginners. The Getting to know your machine session is aimed at beginner sewers who have not completed a Taster Session (1 hour). Note: A sewing machine can be provided for beginner sewers who do not own their own machine. Please request this when booking your session. Session outcomes:- Health and Safety
- Introduction to the main parts of a sewing machine
- Loading a bobbin
- Threading a sewing machine
- Changing a needle
- Basic stitches (straight stitch and reverse stitch)
- Let’s get sewing! – Make a pincushion (fabric provided)
- Cleaning your machine
- Sewing machine feet – choosing the right one for the job
- All about sewing machine needles
- Basic sewing tools – when and how to use
- Let’s get sewing! – Make a sewing tool case
- a sewing machine
- a fat quarter of fabric for sewing tool case
- sewing thread
- Handouts will be provided at the end of the session including sewing practise sheets to help you to develop your sewing skills.
- We will also recommend some simple projects for you to develop your confidence and skills.
- Fabric to use for practise.
An introduction to dressmaking patterns (2 hours)
A 1:1 sewing lesson for beginners The Introduction to dressmaking patterns session is aimed at beginner sewers who have never used a dressmaking pattern before, or who need guidance on choosing, using and reading sewing patterns. This session focuses on understanding patterns, choosing the correct size, and selecting fabrics. A further session is available using a sewer’s choice of pattern and includes more information about assembling garments. Session outcomes- Choosing a dressmaking pattern
- Important information – the back of the pattern
- Taking measurements and choosing the correct size
- Basic dressmaking tools and how to use them
- Pattern instructions – terminology
- Making a toile
- Preparing your pattern and your fabric before cutting
- Lengthening and shortening pattern pieces
- Cutting out your pattern
- Fabric cutting layouts
- Cutting out your fabric
- Pattern markings and how to transfer these to fabric
- Sample patterns for demonstration, a personal measurement record sheet, examples of dressmaking tools including a toile
- Handouts will be provided at the end of the session.
- We will also recommend pattern makers who create easy-to-follow patterns for beginners so that you achieve good results from the start.
Next steps in dressmaking (2 hours)
A 1:1 sewing lesson for sewers new to dressmaking.
Next steps in dressmaking follows on from our Introduction to dressmaking patterns session, and is aimed at beginner sewers who are new to dressmaking. This session focuses on using a sewer’s choice of pattern and putting into practise the skills learned in the Introduction to dressmaking patterns session. Prior to the session, the sewer will be assisted by the tutor to choose a simple pattern together with suitable fabric to create a toile.
Session outcomes:
- Choosing the correct size garment based on measurements
- Understanding what is meant by finished garment size
- Awareness of pattern seam allowances and garment ease
- Grain line and pattern markings including place on fold,
notches, symbols (e.g. gathering points), buttonholes - Stitch length, basting, tailor’s tacks
- Interfacing and facings
- Other terms linked to the sewer’s chosen pattern
We will provide:
- Handouts linked to the session.