An awards ceremony for the WEA Dressmaking & Soft Furnishings course was held in July at Gayton House in East London and was attended by learners and their families. The course was taught by Mona Nashed at the Burdett Neighbourhood Centre in East London and run in partnership with Poplar HARCA giving learners an opportunity to create professional quality garments and soft furnishings.
The course content covers a wide range of topics including sessions on how to use a sewing machine, prepare fabrics, make a cutting plan, stitching by hand and machine and techniques of seams, hems, fastening, appliqué, piping, frill, pleating, basic quilting and decorative techniques.
As part of the course, learners are taught how to accurately measure and estimate fabric and how to work out costings. Learners from this course are also encouraged to join another one of Mona’s courses that focuses on how to set up a business.
Alongside the awards ceremony was an exhibition of learners’ work with soft furnishings, clothing and workbooks on display - all of the work was to a professional standard.
Learner Lawrencia Ikoli said this about the course ‘I enrolled on this course after buying two pairs of curtains that were not lined and after trying a number of shops to have them done, found the cost to be more than ready lined curtains.
I found the course very inspiring and everyone was at different levels. The teacher used her expertise and knowledge to cater for us all. As a class we shared knowledge, socialised and laughed together.
There was also an extended part of the course that dealt with the business side, in which maths played a big part. If you want your curtains to fit, knowing some maths makes a lot of sense. We also made a business plan and looked at costings. I made a complete pair of curtains and a lamp-shade to match. I lined my curtains which I enjoyed doing.
I would recommend this course to anyone as it teaches you from learning to use a sewing machine to starting your own business.’
For more information about these courses, please contact Elaine Taylor on: 020 7426 1974 or E-mail etaylor@wea.org.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For further information on courses in the London region please visit the website.