sewing classes in Sydney
Looking for sewing classes in Sydney? At Couture Arts, we offer a wide range of courses for all skill levels — from first-time sewists to those ready to master advanced techniques. Held in our light-filled, fully equipped studio in Pymble, our hands-on classes focus on skill, confidence and creativity. Whether you're learning the basics, working with commercial patterns, or diving into couture construction, you'll be guided by industry-trained teachers with real-world experience.
dressmaking courses: Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced
Learn how to make garments using a commercial pattern. We offer daytime/evening classes for beginners and intermediate sewers
personal dress form
Create a custom dress form to mirror your body shape to enable accurate fitting and ensure that your sewing projects are the correct size for you.
ADVANCED
Tailoring classes
Master the exquisite workmanship and fine sewing skills that were once passed down through generations of European bespoke tailors.
ADVANCED
sew a French jacket
The classic French jacket is a wardrobe must-have, often made from a soft wool bouclé fabric and lined with luxurious silk charmeuse.
✂️ Learn to Sew
Just starting out or brushing up? These three hands-on classes are the perfect way to build sewing skills.
Basic Sewing Skills
Get started with sewing basics — threading, stitching and seams — by making a tote.
Beginners Dressmaking
Learn to use a commercial pattern and sew a simple garment with confidence.
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Pattern Making & Garment Construction
Draft patterns from scratch and build the sewing skills to complete your own garments.
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👗 Dressmaking
Make clothes that fit and flatter using commercial patterns — in flexible classes tailored to your skill level and learning pace.
Beginners Dressmaking
Start with a simple garment (A-line skirt or drawstring pants) and build core sewing skills.
Intermediate Dressmaking
Build confidence with zippers, darts, fit and construction techniques.
Advanced Dressmaking
Master complex garments like collared shirts and refine your precision and finishes.
Advanced Sewing
Make a Custom Dress Form
Create a custom dress form and transform how you fit and sew.
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Tailoring Courses
Tailor a jacket, coat or pants with expert guidance in construction techniques.
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Dancewear & Stretch Sewing
Make stretch dancewear with overlocker techniques and creative finishes.
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Sew a French Jacket
Sew a classic French jacket using couture techniques like hand quilting and precise fitting.
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More Specialist Classes
→ Couture Sewing Techniques
→ Sew a Sari Blouse
→ Sew a Leather Skirt
→ Lace Guipure Skirt
→ Couture Sewing Techniques
ADVANCED
stretch & dance costumes
Learn to alter patterns, sew and embellish stretch garments, and design and produce a unique dance costume of your own.
couture sewing
Master the sewing techniques used by the world's finest fashion houses and do justice to your best fabrics.
ADVANCED
overlocking courses
Most sewers start out with good intentions, but end up using just a fraction of their overlocker’s potential. It’s time to take charge!
WORKSHOP
couture Embroidery
Learn couture embroidery and embellishment techniques, including beading and sequin application.
ADVANCED
sew a guipure lace skirt
Guipure lace is a gorgeous fabric that’s perfect for a fitted skirt, pieced together so that it’s almost impossible to see the seams.
ADVANCED
sew a Leather skirt
Sew a stunning leather skirt that fits and flatters using specialised techniques adapted for your own home sewing machine.
WORKSHOP
ADVANCED SEWING SKILLS
There are a handful of advanced sewing techniques that every serious sewer needs to take their garments to the next level.
WORKSHOP
Hat Making workshop
For fashionistas who love to make a statement with an original hat, or HSC students wanting to include millinery in their major work.
WORKSHOP
Kids sewing classes
School holiday fun for creative kids. This is a great intro to sewing and teaches the basics of patterns, cutting and hand-sewing.
WORKSHOP
Sew a lined, princess style sari blouse with short sleeves using a pattern tailored to your dress and bra cup size.
sew a Sari Blouse
Sew a lined, princess style sari blouse with short sleeves using a pattern tailored to your dress and bra cup size.
CAFA 2025 TERM DATES
Term 1: 20 January - 5 April 2025
Term 2: 14 April - 28 June 2025
Term 3: 7 July - 20 September 2025
Term 4: 29 September - 13 December 2025
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No — our fully-equipped studio in Pymble has high-end Bernina and Juki sewing machines available for student use. You're welcome to bring your own machine if you'd like to get more comfortable using it, but it’s not required.
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If you’re a complete beginner, we recommend starting with our Learn to Sew course. It’s designed for those with little to no experience and covers essential skills like using a machine, reading a pattern, and finishing techniques.
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We will send you a full materials list before your first class. We recommend that you contact us before purchasing any new equipment as we have a wide range of tested sewing tools available for purchase at competitive prices.
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Absolutely! Our intermediate and advanced sewing classes are designed around your individual project choices. You’ll work on your garment with specific guidance for your needs.
CAFA SEWING & DESIGN STUDIO
Come and visit our spacious studio in Pymble on Sydney’s North Shore. We’re a short walk from the Pymble train station and we have ample free parking onsite.
Contact details & directions.
Skill Levels
All skill levels are welcome at CAFA, with sewing classes aimed at beginners, intermediate and advanced sewers. Beginners will receive one-on-one instruction in our Dressmaking classes for beginners of intermediate students. You’ll learn to sew or enhance your skills using a commercial pattern. If you’d prefer to learn how to draft and pattern as well as the sewing techniques to complete your garment, our Pattern Making and Garment Construction courses are a better choice.
Advanced sewers will learn custom, machine and fused methods to achieve a Perfectly Tailored Jacket or master advanced Eveningwear pattern making and sewing techniques, whilst students of all skill levels can be learn couture embroidery techniques from industry expert Mary Brown.
HSC Textiles & Design students considering a career in fashion design may also undertake a short course to gain basic sewing skills and experience to assist them to produce their Major Work.
Want information about our Diploma of Fashion Design & Garment Production program?
couture arts fashion college
At CAFA, our philosophy starts with the classical techniques used in French couture houses, combined with cutting-edge, luxury ready-to-wear design and construction methods. This blend of the old and the new equips our students with excellent design skills and specialist sewing techniques.