Lingerie: Unstructured Bespoke Swimwear & Bra Making

When & Where

20 April 2023 - 6 July 2023 ( 33 hours, 11 weeks )
Evening, Thursday
View course timetable
Waterloo Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes
Tutor To be confirmed
Course Code W22FASA10A
Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

This course is a chance to expand your understanding of fabric application and stretch technology by creating contemporary pieces of unstructured non - underwired lingerie. As a student, working within a small group, you'll be guided through the most recent developments in pattern making innovations and designs into functional professional level garments. This course is recommended as a next step for enthusiastic students keen to challenge themselves and develop their competence on a sewing machine through learning a range of new precision techniques. By working with your experienced tutor, you'll take on the skills needed to make your own beautiful and functional lingerie using stretch fabrics. Students will be encouraged to select fabrics and qualities of lace appropriate to their previous experience, there will be opportunities for advanced students to work in silks and luxury Chantilly lace. Students will also learn lingerie specific finishes for their garments, including adjustable strapping, and elastication as well as how to layer fabrics appropriately for increased functionality. Returning students will be able to incorporate more advanced processes into their garment creation, including lace placements and harness strapping. This course requires intermediate sewing skills .

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Adapt patterns for unstructured lingerie to your own design
Incorporate panelling and seam placement for increased support
Select appropriate materials to produce a functional garment
Use professional standard techniques to construct and finish your item(s) of lingerie
Work confidently with stretch fabrics and lingerie specific techniques including elastication and adjustable strapping
Fit your item and make custom adjustments to your patterns

Cost

Full fee

£335

Concession fee

£250

Class format and activities

You will learn how to adapt patterns for a variety of styles of unstructured bras, produce toiles for fit and develop an understanding of construction and materials. You will develop your skills by working with specialist fabrics, components and techniques. Teaching is both to the whole class and on an individual, one-to-one basis using demonstrations, discussion, examples, samples, hand-outs and other technical support material where appropriate. In order to ensure that you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular feedback from your tutor, in a constructive and supportive environment.

Entry requirements

This is an Intermediate level course. Before you enrol, you must have achieved the following:• Understand what a grainline is and how to use it• Understand what a notch is and how to use them• Understand what seam allowance is and how to use it• Be able to use the technique of Slash and Spread• Be able to use techniques for dart manipulation, including pivoting• Have experience of making toiles to fit and adjust patterns•Use body measurements• Follow beginners pattern instructions• Use sewing machinery accurately• Have constructed at least 3 garments to a good standard, including 1 top• Students must be able to read, write and understand fluent English• Mathematics and numeracy skills are essential

What you need to know before you enrol

•This course is very intensive; punctuality and good attendance are necessary.•Working on patterns, cutting fabric and fitting can involve standing. Please let your tutor know if this is difficult for you.•Sewing machines have a foot operated speed control.•The fashion studios are on the first floor of the Nancy Seear Building and there is wheelchair access via a stair-lift.•Please also note: there is no eating or drinking in the fashion studios – no liquids at all are allowed.

What you need

•Students will complete their first item from a kit including linings, elastics, and findings- this will be purchasable from the tutor for £5.50 at the beginning of the course- the kit will be used with students will be own ‘outer fabric’ recommendations for suitable fabrics and where to source will be discussed in the first session a sewing kit: fabric scissors, small embroidery scissors, fine dressmaking pins, tape measure•dressmaker’s tracing wheel, dressmaker’s carbon paper•fine hand sewing needles, a bodkin (a blunt ended needle for threading), fine thread (Gutermann)•tracing paper or baking parchment•paper scissors•notebook, pens, pencils, eraser, A4 ring binder•chalk pencil Also:•you must provide your own fabrics, haberdashery, threads, etc. for use on your projects but these will be discussed during the first lesson•paper and card are available for use in the classroom•calico is available at cost price from your tutor for toiling•you will need to purchase a sewing machine bobbin from your tutor for £1, refundable at the end of the course

What you can do next

You can continue onto the next module; Introduction to Bespoke Bra Making. We also have a wide range of specialised weekend courses that might be of interest. Please consult the course guide or http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/departments/fashion for further details. You might want to try one of the following: Make Your Own Corset Couture Garment Construction & Sewing Techniques Embellishment and trims for Bridal and Eveningwear Beading for Bridal and Eveningwear Want to go further? Our Access to Fashion Diploma course can be the first step to making Fashion your new career. For more details: https://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/courses/1296-access-to-fashion/1863