Sustainable Sewing & Upcycling Course
Reimagine your wardrobe and sew more sustainably in this hands-on Sustainable Sewing & Upcycling Course in Sydney. Instead of letting fabric scraps, unworn clothes, or unfinished projects go to waste, learn how to transform them into practical, well-made pieces.
Across four sessions, you’ll design and create your own upcycled projects while building confidence with reclaimed materials. Explore techniques such as patchworking, appliqué, fabric slashing, and fabric manipulation. You’ll also learn how to deconstruct garments, recover usable fabric and trims, and make thoughtful design decisions when working with limited or irregular materials.
By the end of the course, you’ll complete at least two original upcycled pieces—such as turning old jeans into a tote bag or transforming fabric scraps into a cushion cover or wall hanging—while developing more mindful, resource-conscious sewing practices you can continue at home.
Course Content
- Understanding upcycling, recycling, and downcycling
- Deconstructing garments and identifying reusable textiles
- Designing and completing two upcycled sewing projects
- Applying zero-waste strategies and decorative finishing techniques
Schedule & Pricing
- 4-week course
- Location: Rozelle Campus, 2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039
- Please check website for current dates and pricing
Accessibility
This class takes place in an upper-level room accessible by stairs only. The lift is currently out of service.
Details
You will learn
- Differentiate between upcycling, recycling and downcycling
- Deconstruct garments to recover usable fabrics and trims
- Design and complete multiple upcycled sewing projects
You will get
- Hands-on guidance from an experienced tutor
- Access to sewing machines (optional to bring your own)
- Completed upcycled projects to take home
Appropriate for
Confident beginners with basic sewing skills interested in sustainable fashion and creative projects.
Preparation
What to bring
- Old garments, fabric scraps and trims for upcycling
- Basic sewing kit including thread, needles and scissors
- Closed-toe shoes for safety
What to wear
Casual (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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