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Best online sewing classes for dressmaking in 2024

Ever wanted to learn how to make your own clothes? An online dressmaking course could help you to learn everything you need to know!

©tailor-academy.com

Published: September 11, 2023 at 11:15 am

The ability to make your own clothes is a real skill – it allows you to sew the perfect wardrobe to suit your figure and make outfits for those around you. It could inspire you to invent your own original sewing patterns too.

If you struggle to find time to teach yourself dressmaking from a book or can't fit an evening class into your routine, online sewing classes for dressmaking could help you to achieve your goals. You can fit the classes around your schedule and pick up where you left off whenever you have a free moment. You'll learn all of the skills that you need from expert instructors and you'll be making your own bespoke clothes in no time.

There's a range of online sewing classes out there, covering everything from pattern making to sewing a finished garment. In this guide, we've selected some great dressmaking courses that you can try with options suitable for complete beginners or more advanced sewers.

We've included options for all budgets so that you can choose the course that's right for you with confidence. Some of the courses we've included in this article are taught by industry experts, which could come in handy if you want to become a professional tailor! We've also included some shorter modules that you can try before deciding you take the plunge and signing up for a more advanced course.

When choosing an online sewing class, it's important to take the time to make sure that it's the right course for you. Online sewing classes may offer a range of different benefits and resources from video tutorials to bonus sewing patterns.

Read on to discover the best online sewing classes for dressmaking to try…

Featured image by ©tailor-academy.com.


15 best online classes for dressmaking

1. Skillshare

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking
Pexels/Cottonbro

Skillshare has lots of brilliant online sewing classes to explore (plus lots of great crafting tutorials!). You can learn all kinds of dressmaking techniques including how to make your own clothes, pattern cutting, upcycling garments and even a class showing how to make an evening gown.

Subscribe to Skillshare for £10.25 a month


2. Domestika

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Domestika

Domestika offers high quality video classes covering a variety of sewing and dressmaking techniques. There's a good selection of classes available and you can buy them individually, so there's no ongoing costs. Popular dressmaking courses include Juliet Uzor's Make Your First dress class and Latoki's Design Your Own Dress Shirt class.

Explore Domestika courses starting from £14.90


3. Udemy

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking
Unsplash/Juan Jose Porta

Like Domestika, Udemy allows you to buy individual classes and there are plenty of dressmaking options available, such as how to make your own clothes without sewing patterns, sewing pattern alterations and drafting basics.

This is a good option to try if you don't want to commit to a full sewing course or want to refresh your sewing techniques.

Explore Udemy sewing courses from £19.99


4. International Open Academy

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – International Open Academy

Pick up essential tailoring techniques with Carale Bow aka Stylish Dad. On International Open Academy's Tailoring and Alterations for Beginners course you'll learn about basic tailoring terminology, stitch tension and dress alterations, as well as a host of essential tips and tricks.

The course is £99, but a year's access to all International Open Academy's classes is £89 – great value it if you want to try more than one of their courses.

Buy the International Open Academy Tailoring and Alterations for Beginners class for £9.99


5. Tailor Academy

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Tailor Academy
©tailor-academy.com

Have you ever wished that you had the skills of a professional tailor? If you've ever wanted to learn dressmaking skills from the experts then this is the course for you. The Tailor Academy based in Austria draws on an incredible 250 years of tailoring experience. They launched the Tailor Academy to ensure that traditional tailoring techniques are not lost forever. Following the success of the original German course, it has now been translated into English.

The course begins with basic tailoring skills and gradually builds up to more challenging techniques, ensuring that beginners feel supported and guided as they learn. The classes are designed to be challenging but not overwhelming, so your sewing confidence will grow as you progress through each new unit.

While the classes are suitable for beginners, they're also very popular with more advanced sewers because they're packed with tips and tricks of the trade that you won't find elsewhere. The course focuses on "learning by doing" so you'll be able to develop practical skills along the way – and make some beautiful finished garments.

Tailor Academy stands out from other courses because it has been created by a successful high-quality tailoring company that produces award-winning apprentices. It's even recognised by some other qualifications as a practical part of their courses, so it has all the benefits of a professional internship. This course is a fun learning experience and provides excellent value for money.

Units are released every 14 days, so you can study at your own pace and fit studying around your schedule. Each unit includes step-by-step video tutorials, free patterns in all sizes and plenty of sewing advice and practical guidance from industry experts.

Subscribe to the Tailor Academy from $34 per unit


6. Tilly and the Buttons

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Tilly and the Buttons
Tilly and the Buttons

If you're a fan of the Great British Sewing Bee, you might recognise Tilly Walnes of Tilly and the Buttons from the first series of the show. Tilly offers a range of online sewing classes for beginners, covering everything from getting to know your sewing machine to making your own fitted dress. Each course is broken down into modules, so you can build up your skills gradually.

Tilly's courses also look at common sewing problems and how to fix them, which is very useful for new sewers! These courses are suitable for more advanced sewers who want to brush up their skills too.

Explore Tilly and the Buttons workshops


7. Obby

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking
Pexels/Cottonbro

Obby runs lots of in-person dressmaking courses, but they also offer an online course that's ideal for absolute beginners. On its Zero to Sewing Hero course, you'll learn the dressmaking skills you'll need to make your own beautiful skirt!

This course covers how to cut patterns and adjust them to fit, how to construct your skirt, hems and seams and much more. It's designed to be completed in 1-2 days and you get lifetime access, so you can return to the course again and again.

Buy the Obby Zero to Hero course for £57


8. Sew Over It

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Sew Over It
Sew Over It

Not sure what dressmaking skills you'd like to try? If you'd like a wider selection of online sewing classes then Sew Over It could be the right option for you. There are over 150 classes available which can be accessed 24/7, as well as sewalongs and a sewing community you can join.

You can learn everything from how to insert a concealed zip to how to make bust adjustments. We'd recommend the Intro to Dressmaking course, which includes 38 lessons and covers all of the dressmaking basics you need to know.

Buy the Intro to Dressmaking course for £60


9. Sew Me Something

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Sew Me Something

Learn basic sewing and dressmaking skills with Sew Me Something's online sewing classes. These online sewing classes cover everything from basic sewing skills to more advanced dressmaking courses.

You'll pick up lots of tips from its experienced tutors and can study whenever the mood strikes you. There are several classes specifically focused on dressmaking including how to sew garments and a series of pattern-cutting lessons.

Subscribe to Sew Me Something's Sewing Studio starting from £20 per month


10. Arkdefo

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Arkdefo

Arkdefo's extensive dressmaking course will guide you through everything you need to know to make your own clothes, covering how to take your own measurements, drafting a pattern, simple garment construction and how to design your own wardrobe from scratch.

You'll learn how to work with different kinds of fabric and what to do when things go wrong. You can buy classes to learn how to make individual garments or learn how to make an entire capsule wardrobe.

Buy an Arkdefo dressmaking course starting from £25

Dressmaking 101

Want to create your own unique outfits at home? Get started with Gathered's in-depth how to make clothes guide.


11. Stitch Sisters

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Stitch Sisters

This dressmaking course geared towards beginners who want to start making their own clothes for the first time. It gives a good overview of the basics with lots of support and advice to teach you how to make your first garment. It's a good introduction

Buy the Stitch Sisters Guide to Dressmaking course for £28


12. Cashmerette

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Cashmerette

Do you have curves and want to make beautifully sewn clothes to suit your figure? Cashmerette specialises in sewing classes for women with curves and creative director Jenny Rushmore will teach you how to be a confident dressmaker. Classes include pattern hacking, advanced construction for curves and fitting for curves. You can choose the courses that you're interested in and work through them in your own time.

Sign up for a Cashmerette class starting from $30


13. Sew It Academy

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – Sew It Academy
Sew It Academy

Sew It Academy is a US-based online sewing and design school founded by sewing entrepreneur and influencer Mimi G. It teaches a range of skills including pattern making, draping, fitting and sketching.

Its step-by-step dressmaking courses are clear and easy to follow and they're designed to develop your skills and confidence gradually. Sew It Academy offers 54 womenswear course and 29 menswear courses. There's a free trial period if you want to try before you buy.

Subscribe to Sew It Academy from $11.97 per month


14. BurdaStyle Academy

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – BurdaStyle Academy

Get to grips with basic dressmaking skills with BurdaStyle Academy's Perfect Fit Tailoring Course. The course is divided into seven sections and includes pattern fitting, drafting, pattern manipulation and how to make skilful adjustments. You'll be whipping up your own outfits in no time!

Buy the Perfect Fit Tailoring Course for $49.99


15. The Tailoring Academy

Best online sewing classes for dressmaking – The Tailoring Academy

If you want to become a professional tailor, you might benefit from signing up to The Tailoring Academy's online course. Unfortunately the 2021/2022 course has already started, but you could register that you're interested in signing up for next year's online tailoring classes. This year-long course covers bespoke tailoring techniques you'll need to make to create a classic jacket.

It's aimed at people who want to learn tailoring skills but can't commit to a full-time tailoring course. The course fee is £1,795 and places are limited.

Find out about The Tailoring Academy's online courses


Up your tailoring skills today

Sewing your own clothes has never been easier, thanks to our tailor-made list of the best dressmaking courses. We hope there's a course in our list that's tickled your fancy!

Starting out with sewing? Try these courses

If you want to scrub up on your stitching skills before committing to a tailoring course, why not browse the best online sewing courses? We've collated a comprehensive list of the best options, so don't miss out!

Woman at sewing machine