Best fashion workshops: London

By Rebecca Gonsalves on 21/1/2020

Whether you're thinking sustainably and want to learn how to mend clothes or even make your own, have a creative vision you want to share with the world or simply want to give a loved one an experience as a gift rather than yet more stuff, there are a host of London fashion workshops that are sure to fit the bill.
From established educational institutions to creative social spaces read on for the Culture Whisper guide to the best fashion workshops in London, what to expect and when to book.

Ray Stitch

Few London high streets are lucky enough to still have an independent haberdashery, let alone one as creative and comprehensively stocked as Ray Stitch on Essex Road.

It also offers a brilliant sewing school covering everything from a three-hour introduction to machine sewing to multi-week courses on pattern cutting, dressmaking, sewing with stretch fabrics (notoriously difficult) and crafts such as quilting, weaving and embroidery.

You can also pay by the hour to use a sewing machine and workshop space if your hobby looks like it might become a side hustle.

WHERE

Ray Stitch, 66-68 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 8LR

The Makery, John Lewis

The haberdashery department of John Lewis & Partners Oxford Street is a must-visit for craft-minded Londoners, so it makes sense that you can brush up on your skills while picking up some new yarns, buttons or fabrics.

A craft brand for the modern world, The Makery runs regular craft workshops on techniques including how to make pyjama bottoms, freestyle machine embroidery and simple cushion making, with plenty of Christmas-themed classes too.

WHERE

John Lewis & Partners, 300 Oxford Street, Marylebone, London W1C 1DX

RaeburnLab

One of the nicest men in fashion, Christopher Raeburn is known as much for his charming 'off-cut animal' mascots as his sustainable approach to design. And you can make your own thanks to semi-regular workshops in the RaeburnLab, an experiential retail-cum-studio space in the former Burberry textile factory in east London.

WHERE

Studio 1, The Textile Building, 29a Chatham Place, London E9 6FJ

The London Loom

Expect darning, embroidery and macramé workshops, plus all manner of creative weaving disciplines at this award-winning relaxed textile studio in Hackney Downs.

WHERE

17 Amhurst Terrace, Hackney Downs Studios, London E8 2BT

City Lit

As well as offering practical introductory and intermediate classes on garment construction and design, City Lit also has a range of more hands-on crafts such as hand embroidery, dye techniques and knitting.

WHERE

City Lit, Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BA

Morley College

When it comes to adult fashion education, Morley College has it sewn up. From one-day introductory classes for complete beginners to multi-week courses where you'll make your own patterns or garments, there are a range of topics, ability levels and budgets from which to choose.

WHERE

Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London SE1 7HT

Sip n Sew

A weekly two-hour evening stitching session run by Fabric Swatch, a group that redistributes offcuts collected from fashion businesses and designers.

These informal sessions are open to all abilities: beginners will be introduced to the equipment and should leave having completed a simple project such as a pencil case or purse, while more accomplished sewers will be able to attempt patterns such as trousers or a skirt.

WHERE

10 Market Place, Bermondsey, London SE16 3UQ