Improver / Intermediate Tuition
My Improver / Intermediate lessons have been thoughtfully designed for sewing and design enthusiasts of every level. With a flexible teaching structure, you can focus on the topics you most want to explore.
This Oxford-based tuition is hands-on, experimental and most of all enjoyable! I want to take my students on an eye-opening journey to explore a variety of professional techniques in a supportive and friendly way. Whether you’d like to try out industrial machinery (there is an industrial straight stitch machine and overlocker here to use) or prefer to bring your own machine to practice on, all options are available.
Follow the links for each of the lessons to learn more.
SEWING IMPROVERS / INTERMEDIATE
Private lessons
Build upon your knowledge as we dive into the world of sewing!
Discover which seams work best for each type of project, and test out new techniques and finishes to give you the confidence to tackle any project.
We can also work together on your personal projects to troubleshoot any blocks, and develop your practical skills, upgrading your projects from the sewing pile to your wardrobe!
Offered on a casual recurring basis
£85 per 2 hour session
SPECIALITY CLASSES
SECRETS OF THE ATELIER
Private session / 2 sewists
Over this demystifying 4 hour session you’ll learn the secrets tips and tricks used by the seamstresses in the top ateliers to perfectly sew a variety of clothing elements. Including:
Inserting a sleeve
Sewing a collar and cuffs
Stitching a placket
And more!
All the techniques you’ll learn can be applied to many types of project, and once you know the proper way you’ll never look back!
(not suitable for complete beginners)
£180 per session (individual)
£260 per session (2 sewists)
PATTERN CUTTING IMPROVERS / INTERMEDIATE
Private lessons
Perfect for the person with a little knowledge of pattern cutting, or who’s had the Beginners 1/2 day lesson.
Deepen your knowledge with hands-on and experimental pattern cutting lessons, covering everything from sleeves to collars, ease to ruffles. Let me help demystify the process so that you can create your own bespoke creations from scratch!
Offered on a casual recurring basis
£85 per 2 hour session
FINE FINISHES MASTERCLASS
Private session / 2 sewists
Hone your skills to finish your projects to a whole new level; this hands-on 4 hour session will have you perfecting your fine motor skills with a number of hand-stitching techniques used on your finest clothes. Including:
Blind hemming
Fastenings
Button loops
Chain stitching
People won’t ask ‘did you make that?’, because it’ll look shop bought!
(not suitable for complete beginners)
£180 per session (individual)
£260 per session (2 sewists)
DRAPING IMPROVERS / INTERMEDIATE
Private lessons
Perfect for the person with a little knowledge of draping, or who’s had the Beginner’s 1/2 day lesson.
Delve into the world of draping, learning how to turn your experimental work to into working patterns. We will cover a variety of techniques needed to beautifully sew your creations together to accurately recreate your work on the stand.
Offered on a casual recurring basis
£85 per 2 hour session
SHIRTS MASTERCLASS
Private session / 2 sewists
In this 5 hour masterclass you’ll learn the 4 key elements to shirt making:
Collars
Cuffs and plackets
Button plackets
Yokes
Tackling each technique separately, you’ll come away with a number of great samples and the knowledge of how to apply these to you next sewing project.
(not suitable for complete beginners)
£210 per session (individual)
£300 per session (2 sewists)
Perfect for the person who wants to be able to alter patterns to fit them perfectly and develop personalised design features.
Using patterns of your choice you’ll learn how to toile, do fittings and accurately mark toiles for alterations. As you develop you’ll have a practical knowledge of everything there is to know about fit.
We can also work together to develop any design changes you’d like, to create clothes that are truly unique to you!
Offered on a casual recurring basis
PATTERN ALTERATION IMPROVERS / INTERMEDIATE
Private lessons
£85 per 2 hour session
Come by yourself or bring a friend! These sessions deep-dive into a few detailed topics to help take your sewing to another level. If you want to learn something specific that isn’t covered in these sessions, email me and I can create a bespoke lesson just for you!
This practical 4 hour session will demystify the process of inserting a variety of zips - never put off a project again. We’ll cover a variety of insertion techniques including:
Denim fly front zippers
Invisible zips
Covered zips
And more!
Leave this session EXCITED to tackle your next project!
(not suitable for complete beginners)
ZIPS MASTERCLASS
Private session / 2 sewists
£180 per session (individual)
£260 per session (2 sewists)
Contact The Haberdashery Lab
Interested in one of my classes but want to know more? Fill out the details below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!