Ready to move on from beginner sewing? Build your dressmaking skills in a day with key garment-making techniques in Conway Mill, Belfast.
So, you can sew — what’s next?
Elevate your sewing skills, mastering must-know garment-making techniques inside a real working fashion design studio.
This all-day intensive course is perfect for those who already know how to thread and sew on a machine and are ready to move beyond the basics. Building on your existing skills, you’ll learn a wide range of essential garment-making techniques, giving you the confidence and know-how to move on to more ambitious projects.
Discover the exact techniques used within the fashion industry — the same core skills covered on fashion college and degree programmes, taught step by step in an easy-to-follow way.
Spend an inspiring day sewing, practising and creating your own technique samples to take home, building an invaluable reference library you can return to again and again.
Your tutor is studio owner MaryRose McGrath, a womenswear designer with a thirty-year career in the fashion industry. Before returning home to Northern Ireland, she designed in London for many leading high street brands, including M&S, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Oasis & Arcadia.
Far from a typical classroom, the studio is the ultimate place to learn: enjoy the unique experience of spending the day inside a beautiful design studio, surrounded by sketches & swatches, designs in progress, mood boards & mannequins.
One-to-one tuition is guaranteed for every student, with the course specifically designed to make the most of every minute. You’ll be amazed by how much you can learn and achieve in just one day.
For past student feedback, see our 5-star course reviews below.
YOU WILL LEARN:
Hems
— learn how to achieve even hems with a neat, professional finish.
Zip insertion
— learn how to insert a standard zip neatly and accurately
Pockets
— learn how to add beautiful neat pockets that sit in the side seam of a garment.
How to sew a collar
— learn how to construct and shape a collar
Clipping & notching
— learn essential techniques for achieving smooth curves and sharp corners.
Sewing darts
— learn how to sew clean, accurate darts to create shape and contour in clothing.
Working with boning
— discover how boning is used to add structure and support to clothes and learn how to insert it correctly.
Bias binding
— learn how to attach binding neatly for a clean, polished look around garment edges.
Casings & waistbands
— learn how to create a casing and insert elastic or drawcords neatly for waistbands and other gathered finishes.
Gathering fabric evenly
— learn how to create and control even gathers for skirts, sleeves and frills.
French seams
— discover how to construct this immaculate seam finish used in couture garments.
Accurate seam allowances, construction & pressing
— learn the essential techniques used throughout garment construction that make a huge difference to the finished result.
As you progress through the day, you’ll create your own sewn samples of each technique, building a go-to swatch collection to take home and use for future sewing projects.
✨What makes this class different from the rest?
Step inside a real working fashion design studio for a sewing class with a difference. This isn’t your typical sewing or craft class — you’ll receive expert tuition backed by decades of real fashion-industry experience, learning the correct methods and techniques used in professional garment making. Not simply how to complete a technique, but how to do it properly.
This is a hands-on day with a huge amount packed in. Small class numbers mean individual guidance is always available when you need it, helping you master each technique and move confidently onto the next.
Come along on your own, or make a day of it with a friend. It’s a fun, inspiring way to learn, meet like-minded people and enjoy a day surrounded by all things sewing and fashion.
✨Who is this class suitable for?
This course is for sewers aged 18+ who already know how to use a sewing machine. You should be able to thread your machine and bobbin, sew seams and have completed some beginner sewing projects.
Whether you’re fairly new to sewing or returning to it after a few years away, if you’re comfortable with the basics and ready to build your skills, this is the perfect next step.
Please note:
Beginner sewing and machine basics are
not taught during this class
. This course is not suitable for complete beginners or anyone who needs help threading, setting up or using a sewing machine.
If you’re new to sewing, please join one of our Beginner Sewing courses first. Upcoming dates can be found on MaryRose McGrath’s Eventbrite page.
✨Where is the course held?
The course is held in MaryRose’s fashion design studio in Conway Mill, Belfast. The address is Conway Mill, 5-7 Conway Street, Belfast BT13 2DE.
✨How old do you need to be to take part in the class?
You must be aged 18 or over to attend this course.
✨Do I need to bring a sewing machine with me?
Yes. Please bring your own sewing machine with you, as you should already be familiar with using it.
If you don’t own a sewing machine, or would prefer not to bring yours to the course, you can hire one of our studio machines for £10 for the day. Please book machine hire in advance by adding Sewing Machine Hire to your booking at checkout.
If you bring your own machine and it is not working on arrival or during the class, a studio machine will be provided for you to use, with the £10 hire fee payable on the day.
✨What is the price of the class?
The course costs £99 and includes 6 hours of tuition, use of the design studio and equipment, along with the fabrics, trims, threads and handouts used during the class.
✨How do I book the course?
Book online via Eventbrite:
You can book this course online through Eventbrite using PayPal. An online booking fee applies when booking online.
Book directly through the studio (no booking fee):
To book through the studio, please email
info@maryrosemcgrath.com
✨What do I need to bring with me?
Please bring the following to the course:
A large notebook for taking notes and for pinning in your technique swatches for future reference
A pen for taking notes
Your sewing machine in full working order (studio machines are available to hire if you do not have one or would prefer not to bring your own)
Glasses, if required, for close-up work and threading small needles
Please ensure you have used and checked your sewing machine before attending the course and that it is in full working order. If your machine requires servicing or repair, this should be arranged before the class.
The full day from 9.30am is dedicated to teaching and practising techniques, so your tutor is unable to check, troubleshoot or repair sewing machines before or during the class. If your machine is not working when you arrive or during class, you will need to hire one of our studio machines.
✨Can I buy a professional sewing kit?
Professional results require professional tools – during class you will use studio equipment, and your pre-ordered kit will be ready for you to take home afterwards. This way you are guaranteed to have the correct tools required to continue sewing successfully at home.
Pre-order price:
£29.99
(pre-order at checkout)
Studio price:
£35 – limited availability
Kit includes:
* 25cm Fabric shears
* Snips
* Dressmaking pins
* Magnetic pin holder
* Seam allowance guide
* Tailors chalk
* Air erasable fabric marker
* Tape measure
* Hand sewing sharps needles
Other questions are answered in the
FAQ section below.
✨Where to Meet Before Class Starts:
The studio is closed before class begins.
MaryRose will meet all students at Conway Mill reception (on the ground floor) at 9:30 a.m. and will bring you to the studio on the second floor.
Both lifts and stairs are available.
Terms and conditions of booking:
1. Late arrivals: There is a huge amount to learn in the all-day class – late arrivals disrupt students, the tutor and the teaching schedule. Late arrivals of 15 minutes or more are not accepted into class as it is impossible to recap after this time.
2. Non-attendance: Due to the small number of students in class & the niche nature of this course, a new beginners course on another date / refunds / class credit notes / class vouchers are not provided if the student has not attended the course for any reason including but not limited to: covid / covid isolation / illness / unexpected or personal circumstances / transport issues / weather conditions / other.
3. Transferring your booking: If you’re unable to attend the course, you’re welcome to transfer your booking to another person. To do so, please email
info@maryrosemcgrath.com
at least two working days before the course starts. Please note: Name changes must be arranged by email only. Emails are monitored during working hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
The transferred student must be at the skill level required for the class. Refunds / a new course on another date / course vouchers / course credit notes are not provided where a booking has been transferred to someone who does not meet the skill level required for the class or where a transfer has been made in error.
4. Course cancellation: On rare occasions, classes may have to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We will inform students immediately by e-mailing & calling. You will be offered a refund, a transfer to another date, or a class credit note. Please note we are not liable for any costs incurred. This clause applies only to cancellations made by the class organiser MaryRose McGrath Design. For cancellations due to circumstances beyond our control (see Force Majeure), please refer to Section 8.
5. Skill level and speed of learning: This course is not suitable for those who do not know how to sew on a sewing machine. Students must already be able to use a sewing machine with reasonable confidence. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK A SPACE ON THIS COURSE UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW TO SEW ON A MACHINE.
Refunds / a new course on another date / course vouchers / course credit notes are not provided to students who do not meet the skill level required for the course or who have booked in error.
Progress and speed of learning depend on each student’s natural sewing abilities and their speed in completing tasks and techniques during the class.
6. A minimum number of students are required for this course to take place.
7. Bookings made in error are non-refundable.
8. Force Majeure: If the class cannot take place due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control (including but not limited to severe weather, flooding, fire, power failure, transport disruption, venue closure, public health restrictions, or other force majeure events), students will be offered a transfer to the rescheduled class, a class voucher or a refund of the class fee.
MaryRose McGrath will not be responsible for any additional costs incurred including travel or accommodation expenses.