Woodwork, upholstery and interiors

Soft Furnishings - cushions, curtains blinds & lampshades

Who the course is for

This course is for students who wish to learn the skills and techniques needed to successfully design and make up home furnishings. No prior machine or hand-stitching experience is necessary.

The lampshade-making element of the course is for those who would like to know how to make any style of lampshade; again, no experience is necessary in either machine or hand-sewing.

Learners can choose to concentrate on only certain elements of the course as a ‘mix and match’ approach is taken.

Course location

Thomas Calton Centre, Alpha Street, SE15 4NX. In our fully equipped sewing room.

What you'll learn

Learn the skills to make tailored furnishings for the home and develop your own style in interior décor by:

• making a simple scatter cushion
• making a window treatment - consisting of a Roman blind and/or a taped, headed and lined curtain and/or make a soft lampshade using traditional techniques
• learning the making up and application of trims
• learning machine and hand stitching skills, along with fabric technology (for example, pattern matching, fabric suitability and composition)

How the course is taught

The course will be taught by demonstrations, handouts, one-to-one talks with the tutor, and group discussion throughout. Support and advice are available during the course. Learners can pick and mix parts of the syllabus to suit their needs.

Materials you will need

During week one

• learners bring/purchase a cushion pad 40cm/50cm, plus 1/one Sq. metre of fabric or use what we have to offer
• a pen and pencil
• a notepad
• a camera or camera phone

After week one

• fabric, the amount to be agreed for the blind/curtain

Lampshade making

• fabric (of your own choice) measuring one metre wide by a half-metre in length. Thin to medium-weight cotton or linen is suitable; however, recycled clothing or furnishing fabrics may also be used

A £5 charge is made for materials/sundries. An additional charge is made for any fabric, tape, or lampshade frame. supplied by us. You must make payment over the phone, between the penultimate and the last lesson.

After the course

• make curtains and blinds for your home or for those of family, friends and/or clients
• lampshade making - you will be able to recycle any style of lampshade frame or purchase, from new, a frame to make a bespoke lampshade for yourself or a client

How to enrol

Complete an enrolment form online

Find out how to enrol, locations and more about our services.

Course details

Contact information

You can:

• email adult.learning@southwark.gov.uk
• phone 020 7358 2100 or 020 7358 2101

Page last updated: 22 November 2024