Upcycling

Tutor: Beverley Landreth-Smith

Fridays, 7-9pm, 4 weeks

Venue: Thatcham Town Council, Brownsfield Road, Thatcham, RG18 3HF.

Session dates: 06/11/26, 13/11/26, 20/11/26 and 28/11/26

Maximum participants: 12

Overview

Join experienced sewing tutor Beverley Landreth-Smith for this fun and creative 4-week Upcycling Fashion course, where you’ll learn how to transform unwanted clothing into stylish, one-of-a-kind garments.

Perfect for anyone with some basic sewing experience, this hands-on course encourages you to look at clothing in a whole new way. Bring along your own sewing machine and a selection of pre-loved garments, and Beverley will guide you through the process of assessing fabrics, identifying design features, and exploring creative ways to repurpose each item. You’ll learn how to deconstruct, redesign, and reconstruct clothing, combining fabrics and garments to create unique pieces that reflect your own personal style.

Working in a friendly and supportive environment, you’ll develop practical sewing and garment alteration skills while embracing sustainable fashion and reducing textile waste. As your creations take shape, you’ll style your finished outfits with accessories before celebrating your achievements in a relaxed and enjoyable end-of-course fashion showcase.

By the end of the course, you’ll have created a collection of bespoke upcycled garments, gained confidence in altering and redesigning clothing, and discovered creative techniques that can be applied to future sewing and fashion project.

£64 tuition fee

Pay in 3 interest-free payments with PayPal. Learn More.

Skills covered
  • Assessing garments for fabric type, quality, durability, and potential for upcycling
  • Understanding garment construction and identifying opportunities for redesign
  • Safely deconstructing clothing ready for repurposing
  • Combining fabrics and garments to create new, unique designs
  • Developing machine sewing techniques for garment alteration and reconstruction
  • Altering and fitting garments to achieve the desired shape and style
  • Exploring sustainable fashion and creative textile reuse
  • Styling finished garments with accessories to create complete outfits
  • Learners will be required to bring their own sewing machine to class, along with 6-10 items of clothing to be re-purposed.
  • The council chambers are located on Brownsfield Road, behind Thatcham Medical Centre. There are several pay and display car parks, one to your left as you enter Brownsfield Road and one just behind Thatcham Town Council, which is currently £1 for an evening charge. There are some free spaces available in the council chambers car park, however these are limited and on a first come, first served basis.

All participants must be over 19 years old, we can sometimes accept minors if accompanied by an adult, please contact us at enquiries@creative-communities.org.uk if you would like to discuss bringing a young person with you.

This course is part funded by West Berkshire Council and therefore, the following concessions apply.

  • If you are aged over 60 and living within the West Berkshire catchment area, you are eligible for a 30% reduction of course fees.
  • If you are in receipt of a means tested benefit at the time of enrolment, you are eligible for a 50% reduction in course fees. Learners will be required to submit evidence of their benefit at the time of enrolment, for the reduction to be applied. Evidence includes only official letters/ documentation, dated within 3 months of enrolment.
  • If you are unable to attend the course, we require a minimum of 10 working days’ notice before the start of the course in order to receive a refund. Admin fees may apply. You will also have the opportunity to transfer your fees to another course.
  • If Creative Communities are forced to cancel the course due to low enrolment numbers, you will be notified immediately and issued with a full refund, or the option to transfer your course fees to another course.

Please see our Fee and Refund Policy for more information.

Book your preferred start date below

*Please note, once this course has received sufficient bookings to run, you will be contacted by a member of the Creative Communities team to complete an enrolment form with West Berkshire Council.

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