Machine Sewing - Creative Upcycling - Stapleford Library and Learning Centre - Adult Learning

About this course

Do you have an old pair of jeans, a denim jackets, or a pile of shirts that no longer fit or need a new lease of life? Do you want to re-style or reshape a shirt into a dress or a jacket? Then this is the course for you. In this hands-on course, we’ll focus on transforming pre-loved garments like denim jackets, jeans, and shirts into fresh, functional, and fashionable pieces. You’ll learn how to deconstruct, resize and reconstruct these items using your sewing machine, while exploring techniques such as patchwork, layering, and creative appliqué to add personality and flair. Whether you're turning a pair of jeans into a stylish tote, embellishing a shirt with bold appliqué, or giving a denim jacket a complete makeover, you'll gain the skills and confidence to make each project uniquely yours. Along the way, we’ll celebrate the beauty of imperfection, the joy of experimentation, and the power of sustainable fashion. This course is designed for adults with some sewing experience who are ready to dive into the exciting world of upcycling—where creativity meets sustainability. Join us and stitch new stories into old fabrics—one upcycled masterpiece at a time! In this course you will develop the skills and confidence to transform old or unwanted textiles into new, functional, and stylish items. You will learn how to deconstruct garments and repurpose fabric in creative ways. This includes identifying usable materials, combining different textures and colours, and applying techniques such as patchwork, quilting, and visible mending. We will look at basic ways to resize garments, change necklines and alter sleeves. Throughout the course, you will choose to work on one or perhaps two projects. By the end of the course, you will: Be able to work safely and confidently with a sewing machine Be able to choose suitable garments for upcycling Be confident tackling heavier fabrics and thick seams Become confident deconstructing and prepping preloved textiles Have an understanding of different types of fabric and thread and be able to choose the correct ones for your project

Booking your place and fee information

Booking your place and fee information If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course, please visit our webpage for further information https www.inspireculture.org.uk skills learning funding your courses Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course. To enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required). As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Greater London Greater Manchester Liverpool City Region Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Tees Valley West of England West Midlands West Yorkshire