CIAM’s sewing workshops provide the perfect opportunity to learn couture sewing techniques and apply them to garment construction. We have courses appropriate for complete beginners as well as for those who want to take their sewing to the next level.
In addition to garment construction, our courses include technical workshops that teach specific techniques that will then be incorporated into the garment.
The 3-hour workshops run on Wednesdays and are repeated on Saturdays. Participants must choose which day they will attend as places are limited.
Cost
The cost for each 3-hour workshop is $66 Including GST. We require the full payment in advance for each workshop. If you require additional classes, there will be additional charges.
Booking
As workshop places are limited, CIAM is unable to refund in the event of cancellation. Please check dates before making your class bookings as there will be NO exceptions.
In the event of there being insufficient numbers for a viable class, the class will be cancelled and CIAM will make a full refund to the student.
Course Requirements
Participants must attend all dates listed for each garment. Workshops follow a tight timeframe and it is essential that participants complete their homework before the following workshop.
As commercial patterns are not suitable for this type of sewing, patterns will be drafted by CIAM to the participant’s measurements and style specifications at an additional cost (price dependent upon garment type and style). Participants must make an appointment to have their pattern drafted and calico fitted before the first class. CIAM Patternmaking students may draft their own patterns.
Participants should bring their own sewing machines. It may be possible to hire one from CIAM on prior application.
Participants will require basic sewing essentials, including pins, needles, threads, fabric scissors and thread snippers.
These workshops form part of the CIAM Patternmaking course however they are available to everyone. If attendees choose to enrol in patternmaking after participating in these workshops, this will count towards their patternmaking qualifications.
Times
| Arrival and set-up time | 9:15 am – 9:30 am |
| Morning Session | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Pack-up | 12:30 pm – 12:45 pm |
Couture Sewing Workshops – Level 1
CIAM offers 3 courses for garment construction at Certificate level: an unlined skirt, a simple pair of trousers and a lined jacket.
Fabric Choices: Please use natural fibres for your garments (i.e. cotton, linen or wool). If you are unsure of the suitability, please contact CIAM for advice.
Skirt
| Style | Unlined, straight or flared, with a zipper and straight waistband |
| Techniques | Cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); invisible zip; waistband; general construction |
| Requirements | Fabric (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread; 25cm invisible zip |
| Level | Beginners – advanced |
| Class Dates | Wednesday | Saturday |
| Cut out skirt | April 28th | May 1st |
| Skirt construction | May 12th | May 15th |
| Skirt construction | May 26th | May 29th |
Trousers
| Style | Unlined, without pockets, with a side or back invisible zipper and shaped waistband |
| Techniques | Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); invisible zip; waistband; general construction |
| Requirements | Fabric (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread; 25cm invisible zip. |
| Level | Beginners – advanced |
| Class Dates | Wednesday | Saturday |
| Customise & cut out trousers | June 30th | July 3rd |
| Trousers construction | July 14th | July 17th |
| Trousers construction | July 28th | July 31st |
Jacket
| Style | Lined; patch pockets; notched collar; princess line or darted |
| Techniques | Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); patch pockets; tailored sleeves & collar; lining insertion; general construction |
| Requirements | Fabric (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread (200m); 2.5 – 3.5 cm buttons (1 – 3 depending on jacket style & length); fusible interfacing |
| Level | Intermediate – advanced |
| Class Dates | Wednesday | Saturday |
| Customise & cut out jacket | August 25th | August 28th |
| Jacket construction | September 8th | September 11th |
| Jacket construction | September 22nd | September 25th |
| Jacket construction | October 27th | October 30th |
| Jacket construction | November 10th | November 13th |
Bring your own Project
These classes are an opportunity for participants to bring their own sewing projects to CIAM for assistance with sewing and garment construction.
| Class Dates | Wednesday | Saturday |
| Bring your own Project | March 3rd | March 6th |
| Bring your own Project | March 17th | March 20th |
| Bring your own Project | April 7th | April 10th |
| Bring your own Project | June 9th | June 19th |
| Bring your own Project | August 11th | August 14th |
| Bring your own Project | November 24th | November 27th |
Couture Sewing Workshops – Level 2
The workshops cover garment construction for a lined, straight skirt; a lined pair of trousers; a tailored jacket and a cocktail dress. Each course is designed to reinforce and extend your couture sewing skills.
These workshops will be made available depending on your skills level and sufficient enrolments for the course to be viable.
Fabric Choices: Please use natural fibres for the skirt or trousers (i.e. cotton, linen or wool). As the jacket uses a horsehair insertion, a medium-weight wool (e.g. tweed) is required. If you are unsure of the suitability, please contact please contact CIAM for advice.
Skirt
| Style | Lined, straight skirt with an invisible zipper, faced waistline and back vent |
| Techniques | Cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); invisible zip; lined vent; general construction |
| Requirements | Fabric & lining (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread; 20 – 25cm invisible zip. |
| Level | Intermediate – advanced |
Lined Trousers
| Style | Lined, side pockets, front fly zip and shaped waistband |
| Techniques | Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); fly; pockets; waistband; general construction |
| Requirements | Fabric & lining (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread; button; 20 cm zip. |
| Level | Intermediate – advanced |
Tailored Jacket
| Style | Lined, bound pockets & buttonholes; notched collar; princess line; 2 piece sleeve |
| Techniques | Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); bound pockets & buttonholes; tailored sleeves & collar; horse hair canvas insertion; lining insertion; general construction |
| Requirements | Fabric (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread (200m); 2.5 – 3.5 cm buttons (1 – 3 depending on jacket style & length); fusible interfacing |
| Level | Advanced |
Couture Sewing Workshops – Level 3
These workshops cover a French Cardigan-Style Jacket and a couture dress.
These workshops will be made available depending on your skills level and sufficient enrolments for the course to be viable.
French Cardigan-Style Jacket
| Style | Princess-line; collarless; 3 piece sleeve with buttoned vent; open or clasped front; trim/braid embellishment |
| Techniques | Cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); invisible zip; lined vent; general construction |
| Requirements | Boucle tweed, silk organza & lining (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread; buttons (for sleeve); clasp (optional); trim (to be discussed during class) |
| Level | Intermediate – advanced |
Couture Dress
This is an advanced course that is only available to experienced dressmakers and participants who have completed the previous workshops.
| Style | Cocktail dress or evening gown to student’s own specification |
| Techniques (not all dresses will include all techniques) |
Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); corsetry, boning; crinoline; pleats, gathers or ruching; lining; lace; general construction |
| Requirements | Fabric & lining (discuss length required during pattern-drafting appointment); thread; button; zipper or other closure; boning (if required |
| Level | Advanced |
Private classes are also available on request at an additional cost.
For more details, please contact CIAM.