Sewing at college vs private

[tinkerbell23]

Im most likely going to attend a 10wk course at college for soft furnishings :0D

However i have seen a lady not to far from me offering private "couture" lessons?

What do you think would be best??

Ive roped a friend in aswell i think...hehe xx

[Mosaic]

Soft furnishings and couture are very different skills. So if you've got time and energy you could do both without fear of duplication.

[tinkerbell23]

Well...i just spoke to the lady, she said we basically pick something to do and she helps...im swaying towards the private classes....

She said even better that i have a machine at home to work on aswell....

With my shifts coming up she works around us rather than if i miss a night at college....

Quite excited actually....also said she can offer advice on soft furnishings so its killing two birds i think :0D xxx

[starone]

Sounds good. You can make your own clothes! Make sure you get a good pattern and someone was suggesting here a few days ago that it is a good idea to get one of those body things - forget what they are called - to drape your clothes over and try them on. I think they are adjustable to your size. Happy sewing.

[tinkerbell23]

Yeah have my eye on a dressmakers dummy/mannequin....

Was one on gumtree for £10 but it got snapped up :0((

Cheap on ebay too...i think theyre quite decorative actually :0D exciting xxx

[boxtops]

what qualifications does your couture lady have, tinks? If I were paying money I'd want to know I had a properly qualified teacher. It sounds to me as if you bring your own stuff and she helps you make it. At evening classes you should learn some of the theory as well, like which sort of seams you use on different fabric. (This takes me back, I did needlework to A level!) I'd go for the classes to start off with, then keep your lady in mind when you feel you're ready for tailoring.

[tinkerbell23]

Thats a very good point boxy.......ive emailed info to my friend see what she thinks aswell......

This is why i love ab...good advice!!!

We are both beginners....her more than me...ive tried at least hehe x

[tinkerbell23]

Spoke to my friend....we are thinking about the private classes, learn at our own pace? Make something nice?

Both really excited....xx

[Maydup]

At a guess the lady offering couture lessons would be the bees knees of sewing. Go if you can afford it and if you are already reasonably skilled.

On the other hand if you're a beginner wanting to make a few cushions and curtains, go to college.

[tinkerbell23]

30y experience....photos of things folk have made are lovely!

She said she would rather we came in and started making something straight away than a cushion etc...more like a top/skirt/ etc....

Any ideas? Honestly id love a jacket! Haha! Xx

[sophie_1003]

You can make your own dressmakers dummy so everything fits perfectly, my friend did this so she could alter clothes better and said it was relatively easy to do. http://www.threadsmag...-duct-tape-dress-form

[tinkerbell23]

Ooh wow soph thats alot! Thats cool! If a cheapy one dosent appear soon ill defo do that!!

Woohoo xx

[headwreck]

I'd go for college, will you be accredited with any skills from the lady close to you, then there's the social interaction, you seem a very friendly outgoing person, you'll make new friends (maybe) why not go with other people and get different ideas,be creative, she'll have her 'trademark' style of doing things, I think college gives better variety of ideas and lets you progress and develop your own skills.

[erin-x]

I'd go for the college course then the private lessons after if you still wanted to do it. I loved sewing at college because of the industrial machines!! Overlocking was my favourite! How sad am I?!!

And definitely get a mannequin.. :-)

[tinkerbell23]

I would really love an overlocker......LOL...mannequin first!!!!!

Thanks guys...ill speak to my friend....see what she thinks....

Be nice to have one on one...but also be nice to do soft furnishings aswell....hmmmmmm xxx

[headwreck]

sounds like you made your mind up tinks

[tinkerbell23]

60/40 headwreck...because i would enjoy college aswell i really would...

Just going to look at the breakdown of the course if its available xxx

[headwreck]

I hope you make the right choice and don't regret your decision

[tinkerbell23]

Going to email college...id like to know what happens each week and what i would make? Dosent say!

Either choice is exciting for me :) something new to learn...and with a friend xx

[Mosaic]

Word of caution re. the duct tape body-form: the tape gets quite heavy, and you need to fill it out with internal padding, so the whole thing can weigh quite a lot.....also, the duct tape slumps over a year or so so your shape looks as if you've melted a bit.
They're great for developing awareness of your body shape, and as a quick stop-gap, but for longer term I'd either buy a proper body form or fit the pattern onto your own body shape.

[tinkerbell23]

Thank you mosaic.....as i said i find then quite decorative! I may buy a plainish one and jazz it up with material :0)

Not so dear on ebay!!! Xx