Hundreds of thousands of items of clothing are thrown away each year. The Fashion industry is known to be one of the most polluting in the world. Yet we still buy more and more, cheaper and cheaper clothing. If you are beginning to question what can be done, learn how to do your little bit for the environment by joining this course and learning how to recycle. upcycle, customie, mend and alter your clothes. You will need to be able to sew to a basic level and have a sewing machine, sewing kit, a range of items to alter, and other notions.
Course aim
What can be done about the huge amount of waste the Fashion Industry churns out? Learn how to do your little bit for the environment by joining this course and learning how to recycle. up-cycle, customise, mend and alter your clothes.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This course is for improvers
- Students need a Level 1 qualification in English to join this course
- You will need to be able to sew to a basic level and have a sewing machine, sewing kit, a range of items to alter, and other notions with you whilst on the course.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- 1. Discuss the basic ideas behind sustainability and sewing
- 2. Demonstrate how to upcycle to create new garments
- 3. Appraise garments and repair or mend various examples of wear and tear.
- 4. Solve sizing issues by altering clothing to fit.
- 5. Experiment imaginatively restyling and customising garments to give them a new lease of life.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- There will be regular demonstrations on techniques and methods. Students may work on their projects in-between classes.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- You will be able to keep a digital portfolio of your work on WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
- There will be a number of tasks appropriate to your course such as written work, creating art or craft, video, photography or small projects. Some of these may be marked to help you progress
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need a sewing machine and sewing equipment, notions and kit. Also a selection of old clothes to alter, customise and up-cycle.
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- Pre-course reading is required: resources will be made available to you using the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
Download full course information sheet







