If you would prefer to study face-to-face
Rowena teaches the following short course at Central Saint Martins.

HAND-SEWING FOR COUTURE AND BESPOKE FASHION. If you are looking for work in couture fashion, bridal-wear, millinery, bespoke tailoring or theatre costume production, perfect hand sewing skills are essential.

Starting with a simple running stitch and working on a series of projects designed to help students perfect their skills and build up speed, this beginners course will focus on creating a reference book of hand sewn samples to add to a portfolio of work.

Stitches taught on this course include even basting, irregular basting and diagonal basting; back stitch, stab stitch, prick stitch and saddle stitch; chain stitch, blanket stitch and buttonhole stitch; herringbone and slip stitch; overcast and whip stitch; tailor tacks and thread marks

Finished samples will include a stitch chart, a blind hem, bound hem and rolled hem; shirt buttons and other fasteners; a covered button and hand stitched zipper.

"I worked front-of-house for Henry Herbert Tailors when I enrolled on Hand Sewing for Couture and Bespoke Fashion in order to have a better understanding of how our tailors work and to be able to carry out small tasks in the shop, such as stitching on a button or turning up a hem. I absolutely loved the course and Rowena's way of teaching. She created an atmosphere that was the perfect balance between hard work and fun, and although the pace was fast I felt able to take my time and concentrate on the specific skills that I wanted to perfect. I particularly enjoyed meeting and exchanging experiences with such a diverse group of people from all over the world. I now feel more confident when communicating with our bespoke tailors and would highly recommend this course". Alexander Dickinson; Henry Herbert Tailors.

For further details and to book a place on this course, please visit the UAL website via the link below.

Hand stitched samples and covered buttons by Rowena Luke-King. 
You may like to follow the Pinterest inspiration board for this course.

EMBROIDERY LEVEL 1. During this course students will be introduced to a variety of hand embroidery styles including ribbon-work, cut-work, shadow-work, stump-work and Indian mirror-work.

Starting with a simple running stitch, laced running stitch, whipped running stitch and back stitch, by the end of the first day we will have progressed to more complicated techniques such as French knots which can be used to attach sequins; a whipped spiderweb, a woven spiderweb and a needle-woven ribbon rose.

Other stitches taught on this course include chain stitch, blanket and buttonhole stitch; daisy stitch, stem stitch and couching; cross stitch, star stitch and herringbone; reverse herringbone for shadow-work; overcast stitch for cut-work; ribbon stitch for silk ribbon flowers; long and short satin stitch and split stitch for thread painting; raised satin stitch for stump-work; fly stitch, feather and bullion stitch.

Whilst creating several small embroidered pieces that could be made into gifts, used in accessory design or shown as part of a textile design portfolio, students will leave this course with a broad repertoire of embroidery styles and stitches, and the confidence to teach themselves more.

No previous experience is needed for this course. 

For further details and to book a place on this course, please visit the UAL website via the link below.

Shadow work, stump work and ribbon embroidery by Rowena Luke-King. 
You may like to follow the Pinterest inspiration board for this course.

Due to the current pandemic Embroidery Level 2 has been put on hold.
As soon as dates become available again details will be posted on this page.

The short courses outlined on this page are taught by Rowena Luke-King at Central Saint Martins.
If you have any questions about the courses that Rowena teaches at CSM
please feel free to contact her by completing and sending the form below.

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