Sewing Essentials Course

Start your sewing journey with our sewing short courses in Sydney!

Sewing Essentials is the ideal starting point for anyone new to sewing or looking to refresh their skills. Whether you’ve never used a sewing machine or want to build confidence with the basics, this hands-on course offers a fun, practical introduction.

You'll learn to operate a sewing machine—including setup, troubleshooting, and stitch selection—while exploring essential techniques like seam and hem finishes, attaching pockets, and reading commercial patterns. You’ll also gain confidence in preparing and cutting fabric, including working with stretch, velvet, and directional prints.

To put your skills into practice, you’ll complete three beginner-friendly projects: a pincushion, a lined zippered pouch, and a pair of beautiful cotton pillowcases. Along the way, you'll develop good sewing habits and the confidence to continue sewing at home.

This course is both enjoyable and rewarding—and be warned: once you’ve made your first creation, you may just fall in love with sewing!

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Sewing Essentials course, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

• Setting up and adjusting a sewing machine for basic sewing tasks
• Understanding and practising essential sewing techniques and stitches
• Reading and following simple commercial sewing patterns
• Preparing and cutting fabric for sewing projects
• Completing beginner-friendly sewing projects using guided instructions

Course content

What will be covered in this Sewing Essentials course?

During the course, participants will work with techniques and projects such as:

Session 1: Getting to know your machine

• Safe sewing practices
• Sewing machine components and how they work
• Machine setup and thread tension
• Cleaning and basic maintenance
• Stitch types and settings (e.g. zigzag, stitch length)
• Speed control and practice sewing on calico

Session 2: Seams and finishes

• Common seam types and their uses
• Hem finishes and when to use them

Session 3: Pockets

• Sewing a basic unlined patch pocket
• Sewing a lined patch pocket

Session 4: Patterns and cutting

• Reading and understanding commercial sewing patterns
• Pattern markings and layout
• Matching fabrics with patterns
• Cutting techniques and fabric considerations (e.g. nap, stretch, directional prints)

Sessions 5 & 6: Final projects

Participants will apply the techniques learned during the course to complete beginner-friendly projects such as:

• A pair of cotton English-style pillowcases with internal flaps
• A fully lined zippered pouch with boxed corners

Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant progress, and the tutor’s approach.

Note:

• If you're enrolled in a 6-week evening class, you’ll complete one lesson per session.
• If you're attending a 3-week daytime class, you’ll complete two lessons per session.

Intended audience

Who is this Sewing Essentials course for?

This course is ideal for:

• Absolute beginners with no prior sewing experience
• Anyone who has basic knowledge but would like to refresh and build their confidence

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Accessibility: This class takes place in an upper-level room accessible by stairs only. The lift is currently out of service. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Course materials

You’ll need to bring the following items to your first class:

• 50cm of calico (at least 120cm wide)
• One packet of two clear plastic Singer bobbins (if using a College machine—see below if bringing your own)
• Yellow glass-headed quilting pins and hand sewing needles
• Two reels of quality sewing thread in different colours (not white, cream or black)—brands such as Gutermann, Aurifil, or Mettler recommended
• One pack of 12mm bias binding in any colour
• One 8” (20cm) nylon dress zip (not metal or invisible)
• One pair of good-quality fabric cutting scissors
• One pair of small thread snips or clippers
• One pair of cheap paper scissors
• 120” (300cm) tape measure
• Notebook, ruler, pen, and pencil
• A good sense of humour!

Sewing machine:
You’re welcome to bring your own machine (if portable), along with the manual and two bobbins specific to your model. Please do not bring your own machine if travelling by public transport.

Needles and bobbins:

• Machines on campus use standard domestic needles (look for 130/705 H on the pack). Size 80 or 90 is ideal for sew-all thread.
• Bobbins for College machines must be plastic, top-loading (drop-in). Look for packaging that specifies suitability for Singer or Janome drop-in machines. Avoid “universal” bobbins.

Additional information

Please note the following:

• Your tutor will email class notes one week before the course. Please print and bring them to each session.
• Additional fabric will need to be purchased for your projects. The tutor will advise you on what to buy.
• For full-day classes, a 30-minute lunch break will take place halfway through. You’re welcome to bring your lunch or visit one of the nearby cafes on Darling Street.
• Please wear closed-in shoes for safety.