Fashion Workshops

Fully equipped fashion workshops that meet industry standards, including pattern cutting, construction and CAD pattern cutting.

The Fashion Workshops consist of 4 different areas that can be accessed with technical support (Tuesdays to Thursdays) for all aspects of work 9am to 5pm.

In Fashion, we like to create a friendly, comfortable atmosphere within the workshops so the students can realise their full potential, knowing they have access to extensive technical support.

Once students have successfully completed training on the industrial equipment and processes, the workshops and the professional industrial machinery are open for them to produce their work to the highest standards.

We also have a store room with fabric, tools and equipment you can purchase to help you obtain that professional finish.

 

Pattern cutting Tables

Use our industry standard pattern tables to create, map out and cut out your design in 2d, before heading to the machines

 

Industrial lockstitch sewing machines and Overlocker

We have 25 lockstitch sewing machines spread throughout our department and 8 overlockers evenly mixed in. We have 3 thread, 4 thread and 5 thread overlockers, opening up your potential and allowing you to complete a high finish on a variety of fabrics.

 

Specialist industrial sewing machines

We have an array of specialist machinery in the fashion department including: -

  • Coverstitch This can be used to stitch together or hem most kinds of stretch fabrics
  • Walking foot For use with thicker fabrics such as denim or leather
  • Blind hemmer To help gain an invisible, high quality hem

 

Mannequins

We have 35 full scale industry standard mannequins in various sizes. From female size 10 through to size 26, and men's torsos, with full body mannequins in both male and female.

We also have 12 half scale mannequins, which allow you to create garments with less time and using less material.

 

Industrial presses

We have 5 industrial steam pressers which will ensure your garment has an industry quality, crisp finish.

 

Gerber Kit

For half a century, Gerber Technology has been used in the Fashion industry helping companies around the world develop, manufacture and take their products to market smarter, faster and more efficiently.

We have high end Gerber kit running Accumark software for students to use as soon as they have had the training. A digitiser allow you to scan in your patterns, the Accumark software installed on all windows computers will allow you to manipulate patterns and our 2.10m wide plotter will print out full sized manipulated patterns.

Equipment

  • Industrial lockstitch sewing machines × 25
  • Industrial overlockers × 8
  • Specialist industrial sewing machines × 3
  • Gerber Plotter
  • Professional pattern cutting tables × 18
  • Industrial pressers and heat press × 5
  • Dedicated IT suite (Mac & PC)
  • Full Scale Mannequins × 35
  • Gerber Digitiser (& Accumark software)

Overlocker

Mannequins

Industrial lockstitch machine

Pattern cutting kit

Gerber pattern plotter and printer

Staff

Photo of Fashion Workshops

Location

Opening Times

Tuesday to Thursday 9 - 5

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021