Tailoring

On this 2 week course students will learn to make a full single breasted jacket, with optional style details (pockets & lapels) for either Men's or Womenswear. Anyone who doesn't quite finish by the end of the course will leave with all the materials and instructions to finish their garment at home.


  • Day 1: 

    - Intro to traditional tailoring, a brief history on jackets & styles. 

    - Understanding pattern adaptation for mens or womens, style details such as lapels and pocket types, and shape of front edge

    - Fabric selection; discussion on traditional uses, modern variations and style preferences. Students are welcome to bring their own fabric, or can choose from a selection available.

    - Taking measurements, adapting patterns & cutting cloth

    - Preparation techniques; mark stitching the cloth and preparing trimmings

    Day 2:

    - Pocket making; learn to make 3 types of pockets with samples

    Day 3-4:

    - Creating structure; cut and pad chest canvases and discuss darts and how we create shape in the forepart

    - Making foreparts; apply pocket making skills learnt on day 2. Attach cloth to canvas, pad the lapels and secure the pocket ends

    Day 5-7:

    - Shaping front edges, attaching and securing facings. 

    - Join the foreparts and back; learn how to create either side or centre vents. 

    - Turn out the edges, hem the jacket

    - Sew in the linings

    - "Under pressing"; learn the importance of pressing at the halfway stage and how this helps to maintain the structure of the jacket

    Day 8-9: 

    - Collars; cutting and shaping the under collar, then padding to create the roll. Attaching the collar to the jacket. Shaping the "leaf edge". Attaching the top collar.

    - Measuring the final shoulder width, marking and shaping the arm hole. Learning about the importance of drawing in the back of the armhole to keep the jacket sitting close to the body.

    - Making up and inserting sleeves. Including how to create the vent in the cuff for the buttons

    Day 10:

    - Finishing; learn the hand sewing techniques used to finish a jacket. Including felling, prick stitching and button holes.

    - If you need the last day to finish constructing your jacket we will create samples of all the finishing stitches so you can do that in your own time at home.

  • -This course is intermediate-advanced level. Students will need to have a strong sewing skill base as the pace of the course will be quite fast. It will be an ideal course for people looking to expand their portfolio and learn new techniques. 

    - Classes run Mon-Fri, starting at 10:00 and finishing at 17:00 with a 1hr lunch break

    - 4-6 places available - minimum 2-3 for the course to run

    - Materials provided, although students are welcome to bring their own fabric as long as we have discussed whether it would be appropriate to use ahead of the course starting.

    - Some tools will be provided but students should bring their own basic sewing kit (details provided on booking). Basic tools can be provided if needed upon request. 

    - Each student will make their own jacket in full

    - This course is taught in English

  • Course Fees

    £1200 (including deposit)

    £400 deposit (refunded if course doesn't go ahead)

    Payment must be received within 24 hours of receipt of invoice. If not, your place on the course could be given away.

    None refundable on cancelation of course 1 week prior to the course.

  • Contact Jeni directly.

    stitch@ctrlartstudio.com

    Please Note: School admin days are Monday. Applications or questions about courses will be dealt with the following Monday.

  • The school and studio have recently moved.

    We are now located in Ardwick, tucked away behind Ardwick green. A ten minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station and accessible by bus routes from Manchester and Stockport on the 192 bus service. Parking is available at the rear of the building or local street parking.

    The Manchester school of Costume

    Graphite House, Paddock Street, Manchester M12 6HT

    • Course is for ages 18 and above

    • Materials and tools provided for the course.

    • Accessibility: Unfortunately the school is unable to accommodate for wheelchair users or anyone who is unable to climb stairs.