Tailoring and Alterations for Beginners

International Open Academy

Module Exams

Included in course price

Know how to make clothes that fit and flatter with tailoring skills taught by sewing supremo Carale Bowe.

This video course is tailor-made for you. Watch sewing supremo Carale Bowe show you how to make clothes that fit and flatter in easy steps.

Known as Stylish Dad (check him out, he really is), he teaches regular guys, like us, to stitch. His followers make their shirts fit snugly, save cash and love to show off their handiwork on social media. You can join them!

Knowing how to tailor your own clothes is one of the smartest and most economical things you can learn to do.

Nobody wants to waste money by buying clothes which never leave the closet. Confidently get the skills to know how to adapt your clothes so they fit properly. You’ll also know how to use a sewing machine and change the settings and stitch tension so you never have to unpick stitches or get frustrated trying to make your machine work properly. There’s so much more to this course than tailoring. Grow your confidence by feeling and looking fab in your clothes.

Tailoring and Alterations for Beginners Course Syllabus

Module 1: Getting Started

• 1.1. Meet your instructor: Carale Bowe, tailoring instructor and YouTuber
• 1.2. Finding the right type of machine for you
• 1.3. Setting up your sewing station
• 1.4. Getting to know and setting up your sewing machine
• 1.5. Practicing stitches

Module 2: You’re A Tailor, Harry!

• 2.1. All the basic tailoring terminology you need to talk like a real tailor!
• 2.2. Essential sewing machine settings
• 2.3. Stitch tension explained for beginners
• 2.4. Beginner Sewing Project 1: Pinning and sewing a perfectly straight stitch
• 2.5. Beginner Sewing Project 2: How to sew a zigzag stitch

Module 3: Transforming Tops

• 3.1. Slimming a T-shirt for a great look
• 3.2. Shortening T-shirt sleeves: easy shortcuts
• 3.3. Shortening a T-shirt so it fits you!
• 3.4. Slimming a dress shirt for both women and men
• 3.5. Nailing dress shirt darts every time

Module 4: Better Bottoms

• 4.1. How to taper dress pants the easy way
• 4.2. How to taper jeans exactly how you like them
• 4.3. Hem Method for Jeans 1: The original method
• 4.4. Hem Method for Jeans 2: The new method
• 4.5. Taking in the waist of jeans and bringing them to life

Module 5: Essential Dress Alterations

• 5.1. Dress Alterations 1: Waists
• 5.2. Dress Alterations 2: Hemming
• 5.3. Dress Alterations 3: Darts
• 5.4. Altered sweaters - simply
• 5.5. Kids’ clothing - how to work small and succeed
• 5.6. Go forth and alter! Thank you and good bye

• Literally everyone. We all have clothes which are too long or too loose and we’d love them to fit us like a glove
• Anyone who loves secondhand or vintage clothes and wants to be able to alter them to fit
• Anyone embracing a more sustainable lifestyle and wants to give a new look to old clothes
• Anyone who has a sewing machine they bought or inherited which is collecting dust because they don’t know how to use it
• Fashionistas can confidently buy chainstore clothes and adapt them so they look high-end
• Do you have a sewing machine but you’re frightened of using it? You’re scared of ruining your clothes! Not any more

This Tailoring course is open to all, with no formal entry requirements.

• You could add a side hustle adapting and tailoring clothes for neighbors and friends
• You may develop a keen interest in sewing, tailoring or designing clothes
• This is a great skill for lifestyle, fashion or sustainable living bloggers who can show off their new-found skills with a sewing machine