Certificate in Dressmaking & Pattern Cutting

Suitable for both beginners and more experienced dressmakers, this course initially guides you through a range of practical skills, including measurement taking, pattern selection and fabric choice. You will then learn to apply decorative features, fasteners and embroidery, and progress to using other more advanced skills.

After designing and creating specific items of clothing as part of the course, you will begin to construct your own custom-made garments under the guidance of a highly experienced tutor. Successful completion of the course will equip you to tailor-make clothes for adults and children with confidence.

• Course Detail

  Course number 96820	Course duration Max 18 months
  Course fees from $48.21 per week	Qualification Open Colleges Certificate
  Delivery mode Online	Nationally recognised No
  Assessments 10 written assessments, 12 multiple choice exams, 3 practical assessments	Awarded By Open Colleges

• Subjects

  • Introduction to sewing
    • Various types of stiches and seams
    • Measurement-taking for fitting garments
    • Choosing and preparing patterns
  • Basic dressmaking processes
    • Selecting fabrics, interfacing and lining
    • Following pattern steps
    • Applying finishing touches
  • Decorative features
    • Zips and fasteners, collars and cuffs
  • Fibres and fabrics
    • Qualities of different fibres
    • Choosing the right fabric
    • Handling and cleaning fabrics
  • Advanced dressmaking techniques
    • Corners, points and curved edges
    • Overlaid seams, pockets and sleeves
    • Padding and techniques for coats and jackets
    • Fabric weighting, shoulder pads and boning
    • Choosing flattering styles and fabrics
  • Miscellaneous garments
    • Maternity wear, baby and children's clothes
    • Nightwear and underwear
  • Embroidery
    • Suitable embroidery tools
    • Variety of hand embroidery stitches
    • Smocking and quilting
    • Sewing machine embroidery
  • Dress decoration
    • Shirring, tucks, pleats, top-stitching
    • Sequins, special stitching, quilting and appliqué
    • Rouleau, piping, bows and ribbons
    • Custom-design fasteners and buttons
  • Alterations and fittings
    • Shoulder seams, sleeves and waistlines
  • Introduction to pattern cutting
    • Drafting from basic patterns
    • Designing bodices, waistcoats, collars, sleeves and dresses from basic patterns
    • Creating original clothing designs without paper patterns
    • Using traditional dressmakers' tools
  • Skirt designing
    • Adjusting patterns to make flared, circular, gored or pleated skirts
    • Darts, pockets and button holes
  • Bodices, necklines and yokes
    • Manipulating bodice darts to create new designs
    • Various styles of necklines
    • Buttonholes, facings and yokes
  • Sleeve designing
    • Taking arm measurements
    • Developing sleeve patterns
  • Collars, draping and trimmings
    • Altering collars to suit face and neck
    • Various styles of collars
    • Appropriate fabrics and trimmings
  • Coats, jackets and trousers
    • Drafting patterns with intricate cuts
    • Adapting patterns to suit the latest cuts
    • Various styles of jackets
    • Cut, make and line a 2-piece outfit
    • Well-fitted trousers and possible faults

• Requirements

  Entry requirements

  Minimum education

  Open entry. Previous schooling and academic achievements are not required for entry into this course.

  Minimum age

  Minimum age of 16 years. If you are under 18 your application must be signed by a parent or guardian.

  Computer requirements

  Students will need access to a computer and the internet. For students who do not have access to either a computer or the internet please contact a student support officer to discuss alternative methods of communication.

  Minimum specifications for the computer are:

  • Microsoft Office 2003 or equivalent, and
  • Microsoft Windows 98, or
  • Mac OS X, and
  • CD-ROM drive.

  Students will also need access to a printer and the following applications:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader and
  • Macromedia Flash player.

  English language requirements

  If English is not your first language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English, you are required to provide evidence of English language competency before enrolling into the course. Examples of appropriate evidence are listed below:

  Evidence	Example
  IELTS	Overall score of 5.5
  TOEFL	530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 (internet)
  12 months in English-speaking employment	Testimonial, statutory declaration

  Additional requirements

  Students need to have access to a sewing machine and provide their own sewing materials for this course.

• Pathways

  Upon completion of this course, you will have developed a better understanding of the subject area and be able to put your new skills into practice.

• Trainers and Assessors

  • Ignatia Efstathiadis

    

    Upon leaving school, Ignatia Efstathiadis immediately signed up to study for her Diploma of Fashion Design and she hasn't looked back since.

    Graduating in 1994, she soon put her new skills to work, finding employment at a fabric store. There, she honed her skills in laying out patterns, fabric cutting and sewing, before moving into a role as seamstress with a sportswear manufacturer. Ignatia continued to build her skills in fusing, studding and machine embroidery, while acquiring an additional qualification in dressmaking and dress-cutting.

    During her career, Ignatia has also gained extensive experience in clothing retail, both storefront and online. She continues to manage a wholesale website while sharing her passion for dressmaking and pattern-cutting with her students at Open Colleges.

• Extra Benefits

  Included materials

  • McCall's dress pattern
  • Pencil -H and -B
  • Metric ruler 40cm
  • Set square 45 and 60 degree
  • Compass 559/54B
  • Eraser ink/pencil
  • A4 5mm graph paper pad
  • Tape measure
  • A3 drawing pad
  • A1 pattern-cutting paper
  • Lantor fabric (3 m)
  • Tailor's chalk
  • Carbon tracing paper
  • Seam ripper

  Valued at over $75!

  Your materials will be dispatched to you as they are required throughout the course.

Payment Options

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