Sustainable Sewing & Upcycling Course
Learn sustainable sewing and creative upcycling in this hands-on short course in Sydney. Instead of discarding fabric scraps, old clothes, or unfinished projects, bring them along and transform them into something practical and beautiful. This course focuses on reducing fashion waste while building your sewing confidence and creative skills.
Across four engaging sessions, you’ll explore how to deconstruct garments, recover usable fabric and trims, and apply innovative techniques to give discarded textiles a second life. Complete at least two original projects—such as turning old jeans into a sturdy tote bag or transforming scraps into a cushion cover or wall hanging—while developing a more resourceful, zero-waste approach to sewing.
Led by a fashion industry professional and sustainability advocate, this course blends technical sewing knowledge with creative design thinking. You’ll leave with finished projects, practical skills, and the inspiration to continue upcycling at home.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand upcycling, recycling and downcycling and their environmental impact.
- Deconstruct garments and identify fabrics suitable for reuse.
- Design and complete multiple upcycled sewing projects using creative techniques.
Course Schedule & Pricing
- 4-week course, 6:00pm–9:00pm sessions.
- Fee: $309 per person.
- Location: Rozelle Campus, Sydney Community College.
Accessibility
- Classroom located on the upper level.
- Access via stairs only (lift currently unavailable).
Details
You will learn
- Define upcycling and apply sustainable sewing principles
- Deconstruct garments to reuse fabric and trims
- Create at least two finished upcycled projects
You will get
- Expert guidance from a sustainability-focused fashion professional
- Hands-on experience across four practical sessions
- Two completed upcycled textile projects
Appropriate for
Confident beginners with basic sewing skills who can thread and operate a sewing machine and want to explore sustainable fashion projects.
Preparation
What to bring
- Old garments, fabric scraps and trims for upcycling
- Basic sewing kit (thread, needles, scissors, pins)
- Sewing machine (optional; machines available)
What to wear
Closed-toe shoes required
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Sustainable Sewing & Upcycling Course
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