What you'll learn
Start your sewing journey with our sewing short courses in Sydney!
Sewing Essentials is a beginner-friendly course designed for those with little to no sewing experience. Whether you're brand new to using a sewing machine or looking to refresh your basic skills, this course will help you build strong foundations in a fun and practical way.
In these hands-on sewing classes, you’ll learn how to confidently use a sewing machine—including setup, troubleshooting, and stitch options. You’ll explore different seams and hem finishes, how to attach two types of pockets, and how to select and understand commercial patterns. You'll also learn how to properly lay a pattern onto fabric for cutting, with guidance on working with different fabric types like stretch, velvet, and one-way prints.
To consolidate your skills, you’ll complete three beginner-friendly projects: a pincushion, a lined zippered pouch, and a pair of beautiful cotton pillowcases. Along the way, you’ll develop good sewing habits and gain the confidence to continue your sewing journey at home.
Whether you're aiming to make homewares, garments, or just enjoy a relaxing new hobby, this course is a great place to start.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this sewing course, you should be able to:
- Set up, maintain, and make adjustments to your sewing machine
- Perform a range of basic sewing techniques
- Understand and follow simple commercial patterns
- Complete a series of beginner sewing projects
Upon completion of this course, you might like to enrol in our Sewing Extension Course
Course content
What will be covered in this sewing course?
Session 1: Get to know your machine
- Safe sewing practices
- Parts of the sewing machine and how they work
- Machine setup and adjusting thread tension
- Machine cleaning and maintenance
- Stitch types and settings (e.g. zigzag, stitch length)
- Speed control and basic practice on calico
Session 2: Seams and finishes
- Learn six common seam types and their best uses for different fabrics
- Explore six hem finishes and when to apply each one
Session 3: Pockets
- How to sew two pocket types: a basic unlined patch pocket and a lined patch pocket
Session 4: Patterns and cutting
- Reading a commercial sewing pattern and understanding pattern markings
- How to match fabric with patterns effectively
- Cutting techniques and fabric considerations (e.g. nap, stretch, one-way prints)
Sessions 5 & 6: Final projects
- Project 1: A pair of cotton English-style pillowcases with internal flaps
- Project 2: A fully lined zippered pouch with boxed corners
Please note:
If you're enrolled in a 6-week evening class, you'll complete one lesson per session. If you're attending a 3-week daytime class, you'll cover two lessons per session.
Intended audience
Who is this sewing course for?
This course is ideal for absolute beginners or those with limited sewing experience who want to build confidence with sewing machines and basic projects.
Course venue
2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)
Course materials
You’ll need to bring the following items to your first class:
- 50cm of calico (at least 120cm wide)
- One packet of two clear plastic Singer bobbins (if using a College machine—see below if bringing your own)
- Yellow glass-headed quilting pins and hand sewing needles
- Two reels of quality sewing thread in different colours (not white, cream or black)—brands such as Gutermann, Aurifil, or Mettler recommended
- One pack of 12mm bias binding in any colour
- One 8” (20cm) nylon dress zip (not metal or invisible)
- One pair of good-quality fabric cutting scissors
- One pair of small thread snips or clippers
- One pair of cheap paper scissors
- 120” (300cm) tape measure
- Notebook, ruler, pen, and pencil
- A good sense of humour!
Sewing machine:
You’re welcome to bring your own machine (if portable), along with the manual and two bobbins specific to your model. Please do not bring your own machine if travelling by public transport.
Needles and bobbins:
- Machines on campus use standard domestic needles (look for 130/705 H on the pack). Size 80 or 90 is ideal for sew-all thread.
- Bobbins for College machines must be plastic, top-loading (drop-in). Look for packaging that specifies suitability for Singer or Janome drop-in machines. Avoid “universal” bobbins.
Additional information
Please note the following:
- Your tutor will email class notes one week before the course. Please print and bring them to each session.
- Additional fabric will need to be purchased for your projects. The tutor will advise you on what to buy.
- For full-day classes, a 30-minute lunch break will take place halfway through. You’re welcome to bring your lunch or visit one of the nearby cafes on Darling Street.
- Please wear closed-in shoes for safety.
Course testimonials
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Shaun said: Totally great introduction to sewing. So well structured that I am amazed I can even complete a sewing project. I loved the course and I really enjoyed it. Ilona is a great teacher.
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Karen said: Lots of things covered and gave me the confidence to continue building on these skills myself
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Julie said: The friendliness of the group, and the one-to-one attention from the teacher. Hope to continue with sewing in the future and do another course again.
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Lynn said: The thing I like most was Joanne's approach to sewing she made it easy and enjoyable whilst we gained so much from her skills and experience and picked up a few tricks of the trade along the way.
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Lisa said: I enjoyed the course immensely. Ilona was very helpful and insightful in the use of the machine, different stitches, pattern cutting and sewing techniques. Our class had 7 - 8 people in each session and this was just right for everyone to get personalised attention and enable confident independent sewing by the end of the course. A larger class would diminish the learning opportunity.
Course tutors
Sylvia Murray
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
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Classes Online Courses
<p>Start your sewing journey with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a
...<p>Start your sewing journey with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a
...<p>Start your sewing journey with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a
...<p>Start your sewing journey with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a
...<p>Start your sewing journey with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a
...<p>Start your sewing journey with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a
...<p>Start your sewing journey with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/textiles-fashion/sewing">sewing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Sewing Essentials is a
...If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Sewing Essentials Course
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Sewing Essentials Course
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