Intro to Machine Sewing Course Intensive - 3 Daytime Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 6
Level 1: Complete Beginners. No prior sewing experience required.
Looking for a faster route into sewing than the 6 week Intro to Machine Sewing? This intensive three-day course is ideal for beginners who want to immerse themselves in the basics of machine sewing and leave with real confidence and a set of finished projects.
You'll spend three full days in the studio, learning a wide range of sewing techniques and completing a series of practical, hands-on exercises. From threading a machine to inserting zips and piping, you’ll build solid skills step by step—culminating in a fully lined and piped holdall bag.
Course Breakdown
Day 1 – Morning: Introduction & Tote Bag
Start by getting to know your sewing machine—how it works, how to thread it up, and how to sew with confidence. You'll then put those skills into practice by making a tote bag with a front pocket and reinforced straps.
Techniques covered:
- Threading the machine, winding a bobbin, adjusting tension
- Sewing straight lines, corners, and curves using seam allowances
- Laying a pattern, pinning, and cutting fabric
- Pressing fabric and finishing seams with a zigzag stitch
Day 1 – Afternoon: Skirt Mock-Up in Calico
In the second part of the day, you’ll begin learning key garment construction techniques by creating a mock-up of a simple skirt.
Techniques covered:
- Marking fabric and transferring pattern notations
- Straight darts
- Inserting an invisible zip
- Basting and hand tacking
- Creating three types of pleats: box, inverted, and knife
- Gathering techniques
- Finishing hems and seams
Day 2 – Lined Zip Pouch or Pencil Case
You’ll apply and expand your skills with a small, functional project: a zipped, lined pouch, perfect for practising detail work.
Techniques covered:
- Understanding notches, grainline, and seam allowances
- Inserting a zip
- Creating a lining
- Topstitching and hand slip-stitching
Days 2 & 3 – Final Project: Fully Lined Holdall Bag
Your last project brings everything together in a more involved make: a structured, lined holdall bag complete with piping, straps, zip, and lining.
Techniques covered:
- Cutting out fabric from a paper pattern
- Creating an inside patch pocket
- Reinforced strap stitching
- Inserting a channel zip
- Constructing and inserting a lining
- Making and applying piping
- Achieving neat, professional finishes
Materials: All materials are included for the first day. For your final project, we’ll provide a full materials list in advance. You’ll receive 10% off everything in-store during the course and for one week afterwards—perfect for picking out fabrics and extras with our team’s guidance.
If you would like to learn to sew on your own machine, please get in touch so that we can notify the teacher. Please note we can only accept machines that are less than 10 years old.
If you are under 16, you will need to bring a responsible adult with you who has also booked a place. Please email school@raystitch.co.uk prior to booking for advice on suitable times and sessions. You must be over the age of 12 to attend one of our classes.
Testimonials:
“Brilliant course! Very high quality information. I learnt far more than I thought I would and I’m very happy with my Holdall, proud to be using it!” - Will
“An excellent introduction to sewing on a machine. We covered so much in such a short period of time and great to have something new to take home every week.” - Laura
“I’d sewn before, but had never really taken the time to learn the basics of how to use my machine properly. This course has given me the confidence to get my machine out at home and feel like I know what i’m doing. Can’t wait for Intro to Dressmaking next! Lovely environment to learn a new skill among friendly people!”
“Perfect course for the beginner. Great for confidence building and very patient teachers, I'm looking forward to my follow-on course in the New Year” - Emma
What's Next?
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, you’re ready to start sewing your own clothes with confidence.
We recommend joining our Introduction to Garment Making – 6 Week Course, where you'll learn how to read commercial patterns, choose the right size, and sew two full garments with expert guidance. It's the perfect follow-on for anyone ready to move from practice pieces to wearable clothes.
Before you book, please take a moment to read our cancellation policy:
Unfortunately, our classes are non-refundable. Due to small class sizes, transferring to a different date is difficult. If you notify us at least two weeks before the class starts, we may be able to offer an alternative date, but this is not guaranteed—please give as much notice as possible.
In the event that we need to cancel a class, we will provide as much notice as possible and offer either a full refund or an alternative booking date.