City & Guilds Online Courses
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Accredited Dressmaking Qualifications
If you want to learn something creative, build real technical skill, and earn a globally recognised qualification, these courses give you a structured, meaningful way to do it — entirely from home.
CITY & GUILDS ACCREDITED
FLEXIBLE STUDY FROM HOME COURSES
COMMUNITY LEARNING GROUP
FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS
Course Overview
The Foundations in Fashion & Dressmaking programme is the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to learn to sew properly, build strong technical foundations, and gain an accredited City & Guilds qualification. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or returning to sewing after a break, this course gives you the structure, support, and confidence to develop essential dressmaking skills at a steady, enjoyable pace.
You’ll learn how to use a sewing machine, understand fabrics, read patterns, construct samples, and complete two garments of your choice. Every step is supported with clear video tutorials, written instructions, personalised feedback, and a warm, encouraging learner community.
This qualification is recognised across the UK and internationally, making it an excellent foundation for further study, personal development, or future creative pathways.
No printer at home? No problem.
All templates, worksheets, and written instructions are provided as downloadable PDFs - but you don’t need a printer to complete this course. If printing at home isn’t convenient, you can purchase professionally printed packs, which include:
• All sample templates (pattern pieces)
• Written instructions
• Any printed sheets required for your assessments
These are delivered directly to your door.
You can also purchase optional technique bundles from the online shop. These curated packs contain the fabrics, interfacing, and notions needed for the sampling unit, saving you time and ensuring you’re working with the correct materials.
Who It's For
This course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn to sew clothes with confidence, structure, and support - all while working toward a fully certified, internationally recognised City & Guilds qualification. It’s ideal for:
• Complete beginners who have never sewn before
• Home learners who want a formal, accredited course they can complete independently
• Anyone who wants to learn dressmaking properly, not just follow online tutorials
• People who feel unsure about patterns, fabrics, or using a sewing machine
• Returning sewists who want to rebuild confidence
• Creative learners who enjoy working at their own pace with clear guidance
• Anyone aged 12 and over (recommended for reading comprehension and independent learning; no upper age limit)
Includes a complete beginner module
If you’ve never used a sewing machine before, Level 1 includes a gentle, optional Getting Ready to Sew module that teaches you everything from threading your machine to sewing your first seams.
Perfect if you want to learn to sew clothes from scratch
Level 1 gives you the foundations you need to start making garments confidently - with the reassurance of a world recognised qualification that supports future study or progression into Level 2.
What You Will Learn
Optional Beginner Module (if needed)
Getting Ready to Sew
A gentle introduction for absolute beginners. You’ll learn:
How to set up and thread a sewing machine
How to wind and insert a bobbin
How to change a needle safely
Basic stitches, seams, and corners
Essential tools and how to use them
Safe working habits and confidence‑building practice
Core units
Exploring Design Ideas
Using a variety of different mediums and materials, learn the fundamentals of the design process in a simple, enjoyable way. You’ll explore inspiration, sketching, and idea development, building the confidence to interpret your own creative ideas.
Health & Safety Regulations
Understand the key laws and best practices that keep sewing spaces safe.
Equipment, Tools & Materials
Learn how to use essential sewing tools, pressing equipment, haberdashery, and machine accessories safely and effectively.
Fabric Foundations
Discover fibres, fabrics, and their properties. Learn how fabrics are made, how to test them, and how to choose the right materials for your projects.
From Pattern to Fabric
Learn how to read, understand, and use sewing patterns — supported by our Fitting Foundations Library.
Sampling Fashion Techniques
Create your first fashion samples and build a sample library that showcases your skills.
Garment Projects (Choose Two)
You’ll apply your new skills to two complete garments:
Trousers
Shirt or Top
Skirt
Alongside the practical construction, you’ll also learn how to:
Research suitable patterns and fabrics
Plan your project and record your decision‑making
Analyse pattern instructions and identify key techniques
Evaluate your finished garment against your original aims
Reflect on what went well and what you would improve next time
Present your work clearly for assessment
⭐ These skills - research, planning, construction, and evaluation - can be applied to all future garments and personal projects.
Seams
Open seam with clean finish
Zigzag seam finish
3‑step zigzag finish
French seam
Crossed seam
Fullness
Gathers
Tucks
Knife pleats
Easing
Shape
Single‑point darts
Double‑point darts
Fastenings
Machine‑made buttonholes
Flat button with thread shank
Concealed (lapped) zip
Semi‑concealed (centred) zip
Hooks and eyes
Press studs
Elastication
Insert elastic into a stitched channel
Facings
Curved neck edge
V‑shaped neck edge
Notching
Layering
Understitching
Cuffs
Straight cuff
Hems
Neatened and machine‑stitched hem
Neatened and hand‑stitched hem
Pockets
Unlined patch pocket
TECHNIQUES YOU WILL LEARN
What You Will Need
ESSENTIAL SEWING EQUPIMENT
Your sewing machine must be able to sew:
• Straight stitch
• Zigzag
• 3 step zigzag
• Blindstitch
• Buttonholes
You will also need:
• Buttonhole foot
• Standard zip foot
• Blind stitch foot
Plus:
• Fabric scissors and paper scissors
• Pins, needles, seam ripper
• Tape measure and ruler
• Chalk or fabric markers
• Iron and ironing board
• Hand sewing needles
This ensures learners can complete all Level 1 techniques, including buttonholes, blind hems, and zip applications.
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DESIGN & SKETCHBOOK MATERIALS
To fully engage with the Exploring Design Ideas unit, you’ll need a small selection of art and mixed media materials. These help you explore line, shape, colour, texture, and composition — all key elements of the syllabus.
Sketchbook
Your central place to record ideas, sketches, notes, and reflections.
Drawing & Colour Materials
• Pencils (range of HB grades)
• Coloured pencils
• Felt tip pens
Paints & Tools
• Watercolour or acrylic paints
• Brushes and sponges
Paper & Collage Materials
• Card and paper (plain, coloured, or tissue)
• Scissors/cutting tools
• Glue/adhesive
Additional Creative Materials
Optional items that encourage experimentation with texture and surface design, such as:
• String
• Fabric scraps
• Textured objects (leaves, shoe soles, packaging)
• Recycled materials
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MATERIALS FOR YOUR PROJECTS
Sewing patterns for your chosen garment units
Fabric and notions for your chosen garment units
Basic materials for your sampling unit (or you can purchase a ready made technique bundle from the online shop)
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PRINTED MATERIALS
All templates and written instructions are provided as PDFs. If you don’t have a printer, you can purchase printed packs containing:
Sample templates (pattern pieces)
Written instructions
Any printed sheets required for your assessments
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OPTIONAL TECHNIQUE BUNDLES
Available in the online shop - curated packs containing the fabrics, interfacing, and notions needed for the sampling unit.
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PRESENTATION AND ORGANISATION
To present your work clearly and professionally, you may also want:
A4 or A3 folders
Plastic wallets
Loose paper for notes or printed sheets
Dividers or tabs for organising units
What's Included
This accredited programme includes everything you need to learn confidently, stay motivated, and complete your qualification successfully.
⏱️ Course Duration: Up to 1.5 Years
A generous study window that allows you to work at your own pace, with plenty of time for sampling, design work, and garment construction.
📚 100–150 Hours of Course Content
A comprehensive learning experience that includes video tutorials, written instructions, sampling, design development, garment construction, and reflective tasks.
🎨 Test of Your Creative Abilities
Through sketchbook work, mixed‑media exploration, and garment planning, you’ll develop your creativity and learn to think like a designer‑maker.
📘 Extensive Course Materials
You’ll receive a full suite of resources, including:
Step‑by‑step video tutorials
Written instructions and templates
Design worksheets
Assessment briefs and checklists
Access to the Fitting Foundations Library
Optional printed packs (if you don’t have a printer)
Optional technique bundles (materials for the sampling unit)
👩🏫 Comprehensive Support
Personalised written feedback on every assessment, clear guidance throughout your learning journey, and access to a supportive learner community
📝 Clear Assessment Guidance
Detailed briefs, examples, checklists, and marking criteria explained in plain English.
📤 Simple Submission Process
Upload photos of your work through your learner area and receive written feedback for each submission.
👥 Learner Group & Community Access
Join a warm, encouraging online community of fellow learners.
📚 Fitting Foundations Library
A structured library of fitting resources to help you understand measurements, ease, and pattern sizing.
🛒 Optional Technique Bundles
Curated packs containing the materials you need for the sampling unit.
🌟 Progression Support
Guidance on next steps, whether you continue to Level 2 or apply your skills to future projects.
🏅 City & Guilds Certificate
Upon successful completion, you’ll receive an internationally recognised City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Fashion (7160‑11).
FAQ's
Payment Options
Payment in Installments
Monthly Payments
First Payment: £153 (includes City & Guilds Fees)
11 Monthly payments of £66
£879
What is included:
Course duration: up to 1.5 years
Over 100 hours of course content
Extensive course materials
Comprehensive support
Clear assessment guidance
Community access
City & Guilds certificate
Payment options
Launching this Autumn
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