Sewing

GeordieBird

I need to learn!

I live in South Manchester. Any ideas?

I've got 2 3 piece suites I want to revive and lots of charity shop clothes where the cloth is good quality, but the fit isn't great.

Thanks

jennyjelly

Have you tried your local college?

They do all sorts of courses at ours at reasonable prices, and if you are on benefits they cost next to nothing.

The part time/evening pospectus should be in your library, or you can get one from the college.

GeordieBird

Off to the library with me tonight.

I've just moved, so got to do all the usual settling in stuff...

LJM

dont forget a thimble unless you own a machine the amount of times ive stabbed my self recently:eek:

redspot24

Hello GeordieBird, welcome to Manchester! I live in the town centre, but know of someone who does alterations in south Manchester. I know it's not as OS as doing it yourself, but it depends how soon you would like the alterations doing! She's a friend of mine, did embroidery at uni.
Hope you're settling in well - it's a great city and there's some great money-saving to be had! :j

nearlyrich

If the garment is not too precious just have a go, it's really not rocket science, as others have said local collages run evening classes but you might have to wait till September to get on a course and then it's usually dressmaking not alterations that you are taught. Good luck and hope you enjoy Manchester.

[Deleted User]

A great way to make new friends in a new area is to ask around as theres always someone who can usually help.People love to feel wanted, and to show their skills off to some one .Why not look in your local pop-in parlour there is sure to be someone there of shall we say the older generation who would be pleased to pass on their skills . Most old folk have had a life of make-do and mend and would like to feel useful to someone. I am the wrong side of 60, yet a dear old lady in her eighties taught me how to crochet when I was in my 30s when I had just moved house, and was a bit stuck for meeting new people . You may be surprised at the wealth of untapped talent that is there. A good place to get some real OS recipes too.:D

kittiwoz

There might be some classes in your local community centre or somewhere like that. There is where I live in Trafford. There are probably listings on your local council website.

You could get a book out of the library to help too. I have got The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing which I think is good and seems quite comprehensive though I've not much to compare it to.

You could try asking for recommendations of internet sites on www.craftster.org. There's a tutorial on covering a sofa here. It is not aimed at total beginners but is quite detailed.