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SewingDiploma Course

With this Online Sewing Course, you'll learn basic and advanced sewing techniques, a range of machine and hand stitching types, the equipment you need and how to use it, how to measure correctly and choose the right fabrics, how to follow commercial patterns and create your own, and how to build your own dressmaking or seamstress business. You’ll put your newfound skills to practice in eight guided projects to get your portfolio started.

Course overview:

Certified

Accredited

18 Modules

19 Videos

Study Group Access

Earn reward points

What Will You Learn?

If you’ve ever wanted to learn sewing online, this Sewing Diploma Course offers a flexible way to build hands-on skills. Whether you’re completely new to sewing or want to boost your seamstress skills to a more professional level, this online sewing course takes you from the basics to full-on dressmaking, all from the comfort of your own home.

Understand the Tools of the Trade

One of the most intimidating parts of sewing for beginners is understanding the machine. The course begins by teaching you how to thread the bobbin, operate the functions, troubleshoot common issues, and maintain your machine, regardless of make or model.

You’ll then be introduced to the must-haves for your sewing kit, like fabric scissors, pins, measuring tools, and how to use each with confidence.

Measure Up and Choose the Right Fabrics

Learning how to take accurate body measurements is a big part of dressmaking skills. You’ll practise measuring each gender and understand why re-measuring over time matters. You'll also explores different types of fabric, both natural and man-made, so you’ll know which ones work best for different projects and how to prep them properly.

From Patterns to Personal Projects

Following a commercial pattern is a great way to understand the basic structure of garment making. You’ll be guided through how to interpret and use patterns before moving on to sketching and developing your own simple designs. These skills form a strong foundation for anyone wanting to explore seamstress or dressmaking work more seriously.

Techniques That Matter

The course covers both basic and advanced sewing techniques, showing you how to pin, press, cut, and mark fabric, sew fastenings like zips and buttonholes, and make both hand and machine stitches. You’ll also understand when each stitch type is most suitable.

Put Your Skills Into Practice

Once you’ve got the basics down, you’ll bring everything together through eight guided projects. These include:

Decorative pillow
Fashion scarf
Placemat
Patchwork table runner
Headband
Infinity scarf
Pouch
Pin cushion

Each project helps you apply what you’ve learned while building a portfolio of finished work, which is ideal if you’re considering offering services or creating items to sell.

From Hobby to Business

For anyone thinking of turning their new sewing skills into an income, this course also offers practical business guidance. You’ll learn how to identify your niche, price your items, plan your goals, and market your work. Whether you’re drawn to custom tailoring, upcycling, or offering alteration services, the course helps lay the groundwork for a successful sewing career.

Flexible, Self-Paced Learning

The course is completely self-paced and online, allowing you to learn sewing around your schedule. Once you enrol, you’ll have lifetime access to materials, so you can return to them whenever you need a refresher.

Whether you're curious about how to learn sewing, want to boost your sewing skills for personal projects, or dream of launching your own business, this online sewing course with certification gives you the tools and confidence to get started. The course is for:

Beginners who want to learn sewing in a practical, self-paced way.
Hobbyists looking to boost their sewing skills and take on more advanced personal projects.
Anyone who wants to learn to use a sewing machine with confidence.
Aspiring seamstresses or tailors who need a solid foundation to start a career.
Creatives aiming to turn their sewing hobby into a business.
Those interested in dressmaking skills or custom clothing design.

Introduction
Part 1: Sewing Machine Basics
Part 2: Basic Sewing Machine Parts
Part 3: The Basic Sewing Machine
Part 4: Setting Up a Sewing Station
Part 5: Troubleshooting Your Sewing Machine
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 1 Assessment

Part 1: Essential Items for Successful Sewing
Part 2: Essential Items for Marking and Cutting
Part 3: Essential Items for Measuring and Pressing
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 2 Assessment

Precise and Accurate Measurements
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 3 Assessment

Part 1: Many Types of Commercial Patterns
Part 2: Cutting Pattern Pieces
Part 3: Selvage and Grain
Part 4: Interfacing and Lining
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 4 Assessment

Part 1: Types of Fabric
Part 2: Man-Made Fibres
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 5 Assessment

Part 1: Techniques
Part 2: Pinning and Cutting your Pattern
Part 3: Cutting and Marking Lining
Part 4: Ironing Interface and Lining
Part 5: Attaching Lining to Material
Part 6: Stitching Pivot Points
Part 7: Top Stitching Panels
Part 8: Joining Seams
Part 9: Attaching Belt Loops
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 6 Assessment

Part 1: Hand Sewing Techniques
Part 2: Creating Back Stitches
Part 3: Sewing Machine Techniques
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 7 Assessment

Part 1: Circles, Curves and Fasteners
Part 2: Pleats and Darts
Part 3: Buttonholes and Buttons
Part 4: Snaps and Hooks and Eyes
Part 5: Sewing a Zip into a Cushion
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 8 Assessment

Simple Sketching and Pattern Making
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 9 Assessment

Making a Basic Pillowcase
Decorative Pillow

Patchwork Placemat

Patchwork Table Runner

Headband

Fashion Neck Scarf

Pouch

Pin Cushion

Infinity Scarf

Part 1: Finding Your Sewing Niche
Part 2: Business Bullet Points
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 18 Assessment

The Sewing Diploma Course will take you up to 150 hours to complete working from home. There is no time limit for completing this course, it can be studied in your own time at your own pace. This is a Level 3 course and will give you 150 CPD (Continued Professional Development) points.

Upon completion of your course assessments, you receive 2 certificates. A certificate from the Centre of Excellence and a CPD certificate displaying the number of CPD points earned from the course.

This course is endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme. Therefore, upon successful completion of this course, learners can also receive a certificate of achievement from Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary, which lists the details of all the units the learner has completed as part of the course. (This certificate is optional and costs an additional £25).

The Quality Licence Scheme is part of the Skills and Education Group, a charitable organisation that unites education and skills-orientated organisations that share similar values and objectives. With more than 100 years of collective experience, the Skills and Education Group’s strategic partnerships create opportunities to inform, influence and represent the wider education and skills sector.

The Skills and Education Group also includes two nationally recognised awarding organisations; Skills and Education Group Awards and Skills and Education Group Access. Through their awarding organisations they have developed a reputation for providing high-quality qualifications and assessments for the education and skills sector. They are committed to helping employers, organisations and learners cultivate the relevant skills for learning, skills for employment, and skills for life.

Their knowledge and experience of working within the awarding sector enables them to work with training providers, through the Quality Licence Scheme, to help them develop high-quality courses and/or training programmes for the non-regulated market.

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FAQs

There is no time limit for completing your course it can be studied in your own time at your own pace.

All of our courses vary in length but most of our courses will take you between 50 - 250 hours to complete. The length of this course can be found in the Accreditations section above.

Once purchased your course is located in your Learning Centre on our website. Please log in using the same email address that you used when you purchased your course.

You can purchase a printed copy of your course materials at the checkout or from within your Learning Centre at any time after purchasing your course.

In this sewing course, you will learn the fundamental principles and techniques of sewing, including how to choose fabrics, use patterns, and sew different types of stitches. You will also learn how to operate a sewing machine and perform basic alterations, as well as how to create your own clothing and accessories. You will develop the necessary skills to produce high-quality sewing projects, from simple repairs to advanced designs.

Yes! The Sewing Diploma Course is an accredited Level 3 course and will give you 150 CPD (Continued Professional Development) points. Upon completion of your course assessments, you’ll receive 2 certificates: a certificate from the Centre of Excellence and a CPD certificate displaying the number of CPD points earned from the course.

Unfortunately, due to the subject of this course, we are unable to provide an audio-only version.

We have various other courses relating to sewing, including:

We also have a great variety of hobby and craft courses on offer.

The sewing machine was invented by French tailor Barthélemy Thimonnier in 1830. His early design used a single thread and a hooked needle to create a chain stitch, which was used for sewing clothes. Later designs by other inventors added more features, such as the ability to create multiple types of stitches and to work with different fabrics.

Interfacing is a material that is added to a fabric to provide additional structure and support. It is typically used in areas such as collars, cuffs, and waistbands to prevent them from collapsing or stretching out of shape. It comes in different weights and can be made from various materials, including woven, non-woven, and knit fabrics.

In sewing, “nap” refers to the texture or direction of the fibres on a fabric's surface. Fabrics with a nap, such as velvet, have a noticeable difference in colour and texture depending on the direction in which they are cut. This can affect the appearance of a finished garment and may require special handling when cutting and sewing.