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. Since last year, we have made these workshops available to everyone who wants to improve their sewing skills. The workshops have been very popular .
A series of individual workshops is scheduled though out the year. Participants may enrol in any or all of the classes. Most classes 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 workshops are held on Saturdays at the main studio at Belmore and on Thursdays at Pennant Hills. Students must choose which day they wish to attend as workshop sizes are limited.
Course Requirements
- Students should bring their own sewing machines along with the manual and accessories. It may be possible to hire one from CIAM on prior application (Belmore only).
- Students will require basic sewing essentials, including pins, needles, threads, fabric scissors and thread snipers.
- Participants are also required to purchase a kit including fabrics (and other supplies if applicable) for each workshop they attend. See Cost below.
Couture Garment Construction Workshops
On days when technical workshops are not held, we will hold Couture Garment Construction sewing workshops. Please contact CIAM to register your interest in these workshops. Participants will need to discuss what garments are suitable for their level of experience with Annamaria Granato, Director of CIAM Patternmaking Australia. As commercial patterns are not suitable for this type of sewing, patterns will be drafted by CIAM to the student’s measurements and style specifications (price dependent upon garment type and style). CIAM Patternmaking students may draft their own patterns.
Cost
The cost for each 3-hour workshop is $66 including GST. There will be an additional $10 charge for the prepared kit. The total cost will be $76. We require the full payment in advance for each course. 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) – total cost $152 including the workshop kits.
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 can be NO exceptions. In the event of there being insufficient numbers for a viable workshop, the workshop will be cancelled and CIAM will make a full refund to the student.
Times
|
|
Belmore |
Pennant Hills |
|
Arrival and set-up time |
9:15 am – 9:30 am |
9:30 am – 9:45 am |
|
Sewing Class |
9:30 am – 12:30 pm |
9:45 am – 12:45 pm |
|
Pack-up |
12:30 pm – 12:45 pm |
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm |
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.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS – BELMORE
| Workshop | Saturday |
Interfacing and Lining |
March 5th 2022 |
Content
How to stabilise fabrics
Techniques
When to use which interfacing and how to apply them.
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
The basics of couture sewing 1 |
March 19th 2022 |
Content
Seam finishes
Techniques
Basic hand-stitching; darts; simple seams (the couture way!); princess seams
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
The basics of couture sewing 2 |
April 2nd 2022 |
Content
Seam finishes, pleats, gathers & easing
Techniques
French seam; Hong Kong finish; flat – fell seam; pleats, gathers & easing
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Zippers |
April 30th 2022 |
Content
Different methods of zipper insertion
Techniques
Hand-picked; lapped; centred; invisible
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Waistlines |
May 14th 2022 |
Content
Different methods of waistline finishing
Techniques
Waistbands, elasticised waistlines, facing and petersham finishing
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Skirt Vent |
May 28th 2022 |
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 |
Hems |
June 11th 2022 |
Content
Different methods of hemming a garment
Techniques
Hand sewn; bias binding; facing; narrow hem
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
Fly Front |
June 25th 2022 |
Content
Fly front
Techniques
How to construct a fly front for a pair of trousers (including jeans)
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Jean construction techniques |
July 9th 2022 |
Note: Participants should 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 23rd 2022 |
Content
Sewing different neckline finishes
Techniques
Stay-stitching; simple facing; bias edging; piping
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
Sleeves |
August 6th 2022 |
Content
How to set different sleeve styles
Techniques
Easing; gathers; pleats; capped sleeves
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Saturday |
Horsehair canvas |
August 20th 2022 |
Content
Using horsehair canvas to add body and shaping to a jacket
Techniques
Catch-stitch & pad-stitching. Shaping using stitching & steam
Level
Medium – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Pockets |
September 3rd 2022 |
Content
Applying different types of pockets
Techniques
Patch pockets; slash pockets; in-seam (hidden) pockets
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Bound pockets and buttonholes |
September 17th 2022 |
Content
Pocket with welts and 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 |
October 15th 2022 |
Content
Collar and stand
Techniques
How to sew a professional collar and stand onto a shirt
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Cuffs and sleeve vents |
October 29th 2022 |
Content
Cuffs and plackets (sleeve vents)
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 |
November 5th 2022 |
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 | Saturday |
Introduction to Sewing Knit Fabrics 2 |
November 19th 2022 |
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 | Saturday |
Pattern Balancing and Matching |
December 3rd 2022 |
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
THURSDAY WORKSHOPS – PENNANT HILLS
| Workshop | Thursday |
Get to know your sewing machine |
March 3rd 2022 |
This class teaches the use of traditional sewing machines, not overlockers or cover stitch machines.
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 and instruction manual
Level
Beginner
| Workshop | Thursday |
Interfacing and Lining |
March 17th 2022 |
Content
How to stabilise fabrics
Techniques
When to use which interfacing and how to apply them.
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Thursday |
The basics of couture sewing 1 |
March 31st 2022 |
Content
Seam finishes
Techniques
Basic hand-stitching; darts; simple seams (the couture way!); princess seams
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
The basics of couture sewing 2 |
April 21st 2022 |
Content
Seam finishes, pleats, gathers & easing
Techniques
French seam; Hong Kong finish; flat – fell seam; pleats, gathers & easing
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Zippers |
May 5th 2022 |
Content
Different methods of zipper insertion
Techniques
Hand-picked; lapped; centred; invisible
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Waistline Finishing Techniques |
May 19th 2022 |
Content
Different methods of waistline finishing
Techniques
Waistbands, facing and petersham finishing
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Skirt Vent |
June 2nd 2022 |
Content
Skirt vent in a tailored skirt
Techniques
Constructing a vent with integral lining rather than a free-hanging one
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Hems |
June 16th 2022 |
Content
Different methods of hemming a garment
Techniques
Hand sewn; bias binding; facing; narrow hem
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Thursday |
Fly Front |
July 7th 2022 |
Content
Fly front
Techniques
How to construct a fly front for a pair of trousers (including jeans)
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Jeans construction techniques |
July 21st 2022 |
Note: Participants should also attend the previous workshop on fly front construction.
Content
Jeans construction techniques
Techniques
Top-stitching, rivets, pockets etc.
Level
Intermediate – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Necklines |
August 4th 2022 |
Content
Sewing different neckline finishes
Techniques
Stay-stitching; simple facing; bias edging; piping
Level
Beginner – intermediate
| Workshop | Thursday |
Sleeves |
August 18th 2022 |
Content
How to set different sleeve styles
Techniques
Easing; gathers; pleats; capped sleeves
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Saturday |
Horsehair canvas |
August 25h 2022 |
Content
Using horsehair canvas to add body and shaping to a jacket
Techniques
Catch-stitch & pad-stitching. Shaping using stitching & steam
Level
Medium – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Pockets |
September 1st 2022 |
Content
Applying different types of pockets
Techniques
Patch pockets; slash pockets; in-seam (hidden) pockets
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Bound pockets and buttonholes |
September 15th 2022 |
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 | Thursday |
Collars |
September 29th 2022 |
Content
Collar and stand
Techniques
How to sew a professional collar and stand onto a shirt
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Cuffs and sleeve vents |
October 13th 2022 |
Content
Cuffs and plackets (sleeve vents)
Techniques
2 methods of sewing a shirt sleeve placket and how to add a cuff
Level
Beginner – advanced
| Workshop | Thursday |
Introduction to Sewing Knit Fabrics 1 |
October 27th 2022 |
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 | Thursday |
Introduction to Sewing Knit Fabrics 2 |
November 10th 2022 |
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 | Thursday |
Pattern Balancing and Matching |
November 24th 2022 |
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.