CIAM’s couture technical sewing workshops provide the perfect opportunity to learn couture sewing techniques that you will be able to apply to garment construction at home. We have workshops appropriate for complete beginners as well as for those who want to take their sewing to the next level.
Previously, only students enrolled in our patternmaking courses could attend these workshops. We have decided to make these workshops available to everyone who wants to improve their sewing skills. The technical workshops are scheduled throughout the year. Participants may enrol in any or all of the workshops. Most of the workshops are stand-alone but some are in two parts where the first workshop is a prerequisite for the second. While the majority of classes are optional extras for you to improve your sewing skills, it is compulsory for students enrolled in CIAM certificate courses to attend certain technical workshops, depending on their course level. The 3-hour workshops are held on Wednesdays and repeated on Saturdays. Participants must choose whether they will attend the workshops on Wednesdays or Saturdays. This is essential as class sizes are limited – even more so this year due to Covid-19 social distancing requirements. We need to allocate sufficient space to each participant to ensure that they can work in a Covid-safe manner. On Saturdays when technical workshops are not held, we will run Couture Garment Construction sewing workshops. Please contact CIAM to register your interest in these workshops. Enrolments are also now open for these workshops at our Collector and Pennant Hills studios. Please see Centre Locations and Class Times for the opening days and hours at these locations and contact us to register your interest in these workshops. General sewing classes are available at our Hornsby Heights studio.
Cost
The 3-hour workshops are $22 per hour, including GST ($66 per workshop). We require the full payment in advance for each workshop. When a couture technical skill is taught in two parts where the first workshop is a prerequisite for the second, we require full payment in advance for both the workshops ($132 including GST).
Participants are also required to purchase a kit including fabrics (and other supplies if applicable) for each workshop they attend. The cost of each kit is $10.00 including GST.
Booking
Workshop places are limited, so CIAM is unable to refund in the event of cancellation. Please check dates before making your workshop 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 of prior payment for the workshop booking.
Equipment and Sewing Supplies
Participants should bring their own sewing machines along with the manual and accessories. 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.
Participants are also required to purchase a kit including fabrics (and other supplies if applicable) for each workshop they attend. See Cost above.
Times
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Please try to arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to set up your sewing machine and work space.
Click on the Read more button under each workshop you are interested in below for further information. Then click on the Read less button at the bottom of the workshop content page to return to the list of workshops on this page.
WEDNESDAY WORKSHOPS
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Get to know your sewing machine | Feb 24th 2021 |
This workshop teaches the use of traditional sewing machines, not overlockers or coverstitch machines Please contact CIAM prior to the workshop to advise the brand of sewing machine you own and discuss what types of sewing feet and needles you need to bring to the workshop.
Content
An introduction to how to use and care for your sewing machine, including the role of different feet and needles.
Techniques
Bring your accessory box , instruction manual, sewing feet and different types of needles
Level
Beginner
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Interfacing and Underlining | March 3rd 2021 |
Content
How to use interfacing and underlining
Techniques
How to choose and apply interfacing and underlining
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| The Basics of Couture Sewing 1 | March 10th 2021 |
Content
An introduction to sewing
Techniques
Hand-stitching; darts; simple seams (the couture way!); princess seams
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| The Basics of Couture Sewing 2 | March 24th 2021 |
Content
Seam finishes
Techniques
French seam; Hong Kong finish; flat – fell seam; pleats, gathers & easing
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Zipper Insertion Methods | April 14th 2021 |
Remember to bring a zipper foot and an invisible zipper foot to this workshop.
Content
Different methods of zipper insertion
Techniques
Hand-picked; lapped; centred; invisible
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Waistline Finishing Techniques | May 5th 2021 |
Content
Different methods of waistline finishing
Techniques
Waistbands, facing and petersham finishing
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Hems | May 19th 2021 |
Content
Different methods of hemming a garment
Techniques
Hand sewn; bias binding; facing; narrow hem
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Skirt Vent | June 2nd 2021 |
Content
Skirt vent in a tailored skirt
Techniques
Constructing a vent with integral lining rather than a free-hanging one
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Fly Front | June 23rd 2021 |
Content
Fly front
Techniques
How to construct a fly front for a pair of trousers (including jeans)
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Jeans Construction Techniques | July 7th 2021 |
Note: Participants must also attend the workshop on fly front construction.
Content
Jeans construction techniques
Techniques
Top-stitching, rivets, pockets etc.
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Necklines | July 21st 2021 |
Content
Sewing different neckline finishes
Techniques
Stay-stitching; simple facing; bias edging; piping
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Sleeves | August 4th 2021 |
Content
How to set different sleeve styles
Techniques
Easing; gathers; pleats; capped sleeves
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Pockets | August 18th 2021 |
Content
Applying different types of pockets
Techniques
Patch pockets; slash pockets; in-seam (hidden) pockets
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Bound Pockets | September 1st 2021 |
Content
Pocket with a flap for a tailored jacket
Techniques
Bound pocket with piping variation that can be adapted for a bound buttonhole
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Collars | September 15th 2021 |
Content
Collar and stand
Techniques
How to sew a professional collar and stand onto a shirt
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Cuffs and Plackets | October 6th 2021 |
Content
Cuffs and plackets
Techniques
2 methods of sewing a shirt sleeve placket and how to add a cuff
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Introduction to Sewing Knit Fabrics 1 | October 20th 2021 |
Note: Bring both your sewing machine and overlocker (if you have one) along with accessories and manuals to the class. It is not essential to have an overlocker to sew knits. This class will teach you how to use the zig-zag stitches on a traditional sewing machine as well as an overlocker. It does not teach the use of a coverstitch machine.
Content
Using and sewing knit fabrics
Techniques
Selecting & cutting-out knits; how to use your sewing machine and overlocker to sew knit fabrics
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Introduction to Sewing Knit Fabrics 2 | November 3rd 2021 |
This is the second part of a 2 week course.
| Content | Construction techniques |
| Techniques | Seam & hem finishes; neckbands |
| Level | Beginner – advanced |
Note: Bring both your sewing machine and overlocker (if you have one) along with accessories and manuals to the class.
| Workshop | Wednesday |
| Pattern Balancing and Matching | November 17th 2021 |
Content
Cutting out patterned fabric (including florals, stripes & checks)
Techniques
How to cut out fabric so that the pattern is balanced over the garment and matched at hems and seams.
Level
Intermediate – advanced
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Get to Know Your Sewing Machine | Feb 27th 2021 |
This workshop teaches the use of traditional sewing machines, not overlockers or coverstitch machines. Please contact CIAM prior to the workshop to advise the brand of sewing machine you own and discuss what types of sewing feet and needles you need to bring to the workshop.
Content
An introduction to how to use and care for your sewing machine, including the role of different feet and needles.
Techniques
Bring your accessory box , instruction manual, sewing feet and different types of needles
Level
Beginner
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Interfacing and Underlining | March 6th 2021 |
Content
How to use interfacing and underlining
Techniques
How to choose and apply interfacing and underlining
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| The Basics of Couture Sewing 1 | March 13th 2021 |
Content
An introduction to sewing
Techniques
Hand-stitching; darts; simple seams (the couture way!); princess seams
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
| The Basics of Couture Sewing 2 | March 27th 2021 |
Content
Seam finishes
Techniques
French seam; Hong Kong finish; flat – fell seam; pleats, gathers & easing
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Zipper Insertion Techniques | April 17th 2021 |
Remember to bring a zipper foot and an invisible zipper foot to this workshop.
Content
Different methods of zipper insertion
Techniques
Hand-picked; lapped; centred; invisible
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Waistline Finishing Techniques | May 8th 2021 |
Content
Different methods of waistline finishing
Techniques
Waistbands, facing and petersham finishing
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Hems | May 22nd 2021 |
Content
Different methods of hemming a garment
Techniques
Hand sewn; bias binding; facing; narrow hem
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Skirt Vent | June 5th 2021 |
Content
Skirt vent in a tailored skirt
Techniques
Constructing a vent with integral lining rather than a free-hanging one
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Fly Front | June 26th 2021 |
Content
Fly front
Techniques
How to construct a fly front for a pair of trousers (including jeans)
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Jeans Construction Techniques | July 10th 2021 |
Note: Participants must also attend the previous workshop on fly front construction.
Content
Jeans construction techniques
Techniques
Top-stitching, rivets, pockets etc.
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Necklines | July 24th 2021 |
Content
Sewing different neckline finishes
Techniques
Stay-stitching; simple facing; bias edging; piping
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Sleeves | August 7th 2021 |
Content
How to set different sleeve styles
Techniques
Easing; gathers; pleats; capped sleeves
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Pockets | August 21st 2021 |
Content
Applying different types of pockets
Techniques
Patch pockets; slash pockets; in-seam (hidden) pockets
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Bound Pockets | September 4th 2021 |
Content
Pocket with a flap for a tailored jacket
Techniques
Bound pocket with piping variation that can be adapted for a bound buttonhole
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Collars | September 18th 2021 |
Content
Collar and stand
Techniques
How to sew a professional collar and stand onto a shirt
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Cuffs and Plackets | October 9th 2021 |
Content
Cuffs and plackets
Techniques
2 methods of sewing a shirt sleeve placket and how to add a cuff
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Introduction to Sewing Knit Fabrics 1 | October 23rd 2021 |
Note: Bring both your sewing machine and overlocker (if you have one) along with accessories and manuals to the workshop. It is not essential to have an overlocker to sew knits. This class will teach you how to use the zig-zag stitches on a traditional sewing machine as well as an overlocker. It does not teach the use of a coverstitch machine.
Content
Using and sewing knit fabrics
Techniques
Selecting & cutting-out knits; how to use your sewing machine and overlocker to sew knit fabrics
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Introduction to Sewing Knit Fabrics 2 | November 6th 2021 |
This is the second part of a 2 week course. Note: Bring both your sewing machine and overlocker (if you have one) along with accessories and manuals to the class.
Content
Construction techniques
Techniques
Seam & hem finishes; neckbands
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
| Pattern Balancing and Matching | November 20th 2021 |
Content
Cutting out patterned fabric (including florals, stripes & checks)
Techniques
How to cut out fabric so that the pattern is balanced over the garment and matched at hems and seams.
Level
Intermediate – advanced
Contact CIAM to book your workshops!
Private classes are also available on request at an additional cost.