Upcycling Sewing Course: Create Unique Fabrics

What you'll learn

Learn sustainable sewing and creative upcycling with our sewing and textiles short courses in Sydney!

Got fabric scraps, old clothes, or half-finished sewing projects hiding at the back of your cupboard? Instead of tossing them aside, bring them along and turn them into something brand new. This upcycling sewing course in Sydney is all about giving forgotten textiles a second life while building your sewing skills and confidence.

With fashion waste one of the fastest-growing environmental issues, upcycling offers a fun and empowering way to reduce your footprint. Across four hands-on sessions, you will discover how to design and sew practical upcycled projects, deconstruct garments for usable fabric, and experiment with innovative sewing techniques that make discarded textiles feel fresh and stylish again.

You will complete at least two original projects, such as transforming old jeans into a sturdy tote bag or reworking fabric scraps into a colourful cushion cover or wall hanging. Along the way, you will explore zero-waste practices you can continue at home, making your sewing more sustainable and resourceful.

This course is designed for anyone with a little basic sewing experience who can thread and operate a sewing machine. Led by a fashion industry professional and sustainability advocate, it combines technical know-how with a creative design mindset. You will walk away with skills, confidence and plenty of inspiration to keep upcycling, repurposing and reimagining your wardrobe well beyond the classroom.

If you’ve completed our Sewing Essentials Course or have equivalent beginner experience, you’ll be well prepared.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this upcycling sewing course, you should be able to:

• Define upcycling, recycling and downcycling, and explain their environmental importance.
• Identify textiles with upcycling potential and evaluate waste fabrics for reuse.
• Deconstruct old garments and harvest fabric and trims for new projects.
• Apply creative sewing techniques such as appliqué, slashing and patchworking.
• Design and complete multiple upcycled sewing projects.
• Adopt zero-waste practices for sustainable home sewing.

Course content

What will be covered in this upcycling sewing course?

• Understanding upcycling, recycling, and downcycling, and identifying reusable fabrics from old clothes and textile scraps.
• Deconstructing garments and linens safely to harvest fabric, trims, and stabilisers for new projects.
• Planning and starting your first upcycled project using techniques such as patchworking, appliqué, and fabric slashing.
• Exploring creative options for a second project, combining fabrics, pattern making, piecing, and finishing seams.
• Applying zero-waste sewing strategies and decorative finishing techniques, including trims, buttons, and stitching.
• Finalising and presenting projects, sharing feedback, and learning sustainable sewing habits to continue upcycling at home.

Intended audience

Who is this sewing course for?

Confident beginners who have basic sewing skills and want to explore sustainable fashion projects.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Please note: This course is held on the 2nd floor and is not wheelchair accessible. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Course materials

What to bring

• Sewing machine (optional – machines available at class)
• Thread, bobbins, and machine needles
• Fabric scissors and snips
• Glass-head pins
• Rotary cutter and self-healing mat (optional)
• A3 paper, pencil and sticky tape for pattern drafting
• Old garments, scraps, trims and other upcycling materials
• A light to med weight iron on interfacing

Additional information

• Please wear closed-toe shoes for safety
• If bringing your own machine, ensure it is in good working order.
• Please note this class takes place on the second floor and is only accessible by stairs.