Autumn Term: Teenage Fashion Lab (11-17 years)

FashionLab is for the students who love to be creative and have an interest in fashion! Students explore importance of sustainability within the fashion industry and how they can still enjoy fashion in a responsible way. The students will continue to enhance their design, making and textile skills, leaving the course with a fabulous handmade garment to be proud of and that will demonstrate everything they have learnt over the term. A wonderful selection of donated deadstock designer fabrics will be available for the students to pick from to use, from designers such as Alexander McQueen, Brogger and Preen to name a few.

Everyone will end the term (ambitious project's may need more than one term) with a garment or outfit designed and made by themselves along side a journey book packed with exciting visual research, design development sketches and final illustrations.

Tutors, Tshala and Tiana, will advise the student the whole way through on their own specific project, giving them inspiration and specific and personal technical demonstrations, whilst learning more universal sewing skills.

Some of the specific skills included (tasks, tutor demonstrations and presentations): Rolled hem, Invisible zip, Standard Zips, Different machine feet, Collars, Pockets, Basic Pattern Cutting, Fly Zip, Cuffs, Heat Pressing, how to cut fabrics, choosing the right needle for specific fabrics.

What we provide:
Expert tuition, from practicing pattern cutters, fashion designers etc. who have degrees in relevant art and fashion courses.
The use of new and fully serviced Janome sewing machines, scissors, tools and threads etc.

Students can use free donated fabrics as part of our Circularity Bank, or bring in their own.

At the end of term they will come home with:
Design sheets, sustainable fabric awareness and technical sewing samples.
A completed garment and/or accessory designed and made by them.
Certificate of completion (over 80% attendance).