Woodwork, upholstery, carving and interiors
Soft Furnishings - cushions, curtains blinds & lampshades
Who the course is for
This course is for students who wish to learn the different skills and techniques needed to be able 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
The skills to make tailored furnishings for the home and develop your own style in interior décor by:
- starting your journey with a simple scatter cushion
- then learn to make 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 resulting in being able to produce lampshades in both a modern and traditional style
- the course will also cover the making up and application of trims
- along the way machine and hand stitching skills will be taught 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 is 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. Payment is to be made, 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
|
Title |
Days and times |
Course code, start date, number of weeks |
Fees £5 annual registration fee also payable |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Soft furnishings - cushions, curtains, blinds and lampshades |
Tuesday 12pm to 3pm |
WU3024 23 April 2024 10 weeks |
£150 standard £75 concession Materials fee £5 |
|
Soft furnishings - cushions, curtains, blinds and lampshades
|
Wednesday 6.30pm to 9pm |
WU3027 24 April 2024 10 weeks |
£125 standard £62.50 concession Materials fee £5 |
|
Soft furnishings - cushions, curtains, blinds and lampshades |
Saturday 10am to 4pm |
WU3030 15 June 2024 2 weeks |
£55 standard £27.50 concession Materials fee £5 |
Contact information
Southwark Adult Learning Service
- email adult.learning@southwark.gov.uk
- telephone 020 7358 2100 or 020 7358 2101
Page last updated: 27 March 2024
