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December 15, 2024

New Year, New Class

Building on the success of our Online Tailoring class, which is dedicated to the classic bespoke jacket, and upon request from some of our most aspiring students, we designed a new course: from February 2025, we will once again take to Zoom, to teach you the pattern draft for and the construction of a pair of bespoke trousers.

Limited to 12 students only, we will guide the class through the process step-by-step, over 18 weeks, with a fitting at the half-way point. The concept is tried and tested and, as before, we will make recordings available to participants who prefer to catch up in their own time. A chat channel with direct access to the course tutor is available, to support students with any queries that might come up between sessions.

The course fee is £995 incl. VAT and includes comprehensive PDF literature, recordings of each live class and access to tutors between sessions. Places are allocated on a first come, first serve basis to eligible candidates.

For all the relevant information and the booking form, visit the dedicated webpage or drop us a line below:


    October 19, 2024

    Bespoke Ingenuity

    One of the most pertinent questions to ask when embarking on a course of study is ‘Where will it lead me?’
    Well, Duane MacLeod, 2023 graduate of our first intake for the International Programme, has just shown how he puts his new skills into practice, in the most fulfilling way: by starting his own business.

    As reported in the fall edition of Threads Magazine and also picked up by Robb Report, since leaving the academy, Duane didn’t miss a beat: along with his new company Hold Fast Bespoke, he set up his tailoring workshop, kitting it out with the tools and equipment he had become familiar with during his time in our workroom, and got to work.

    Using the industry contacts he established during his time in Britain, he was able to liaise with suppliers he knew would provide him with the heritage cloth and trimmings he had become accustomed to work with: custom coated wool cloth from Holland & Sherry in the Scottish Borders region and horse hair canvas from Dugdale Bros in West Yorkshire, to name just a few.

    Linking up with long-standing clothiers David Wood in his local Portland, Maine, Duane was able to take his bespoke offer to a wider audience, and is now catering for discerning customers appreciative of his unique skills set. Duane’s hand-sewn, fully canvassed jackets now start at $3,200, with accompanying trousers at $1,350.
    If that isn’t making good use of talent, ingenuity and competence, we don’t know what is.

    Where would your tailoring journey take you? Get in touch and let us know:


      July 24, 2024

      NEW: Apprenticeship Training

      The Tailoring Academy becomes the first training provider nationally to offer Level 5 Bespoke Cutter and Tailor
      apprenticeships. The UK Fashion and Textile Association writes in its press release:

      “In a significant boost for tailoring education across England, the Academy will partner with the Textile Centre of Excellence, to offer apprenticeship training at the highest level in the UK.”

      Following the recent review by a trailblazer group that included Savile Row companies, prestigious Opera houses and independent tailoring businesses, funding for the Level 5 apprenticeship was raised to £17,000.  This money is now available for any employer wishing to train their own staff.

      The Academy will build on its track record to provide statutory off-the-job training to apprentices across all of
      England. An experienced team of tutors will deliver an extensive body of practical units, assignments and online
      sessions to cover learning outcomes of the Level 5 apprenticeship that employers choose to entrust us with.

      State-of-the-art facilities and digital technology enable a blended approach to the apprentice’s learning, ensuring highly effective, individual delivery whilst avoiding unnecessary disruption to their work schedule.

      The Textile Centre of Excellence will provide the statutory framework in this collaboration, ensuring employers and apprentices receive the best service from an experienced provider deeply embedded in the UK textile industry.

      Interested in training your own apprentices? Get in touch:


        February 5, 2024

        Sewing Retreat | Pencil Skirt

        Have you ever wanted to make your own, perfectly fitting skirts? And would you like to learn to draft cutting patterns for your own figure and that of customers, too? Acquire all the sewing skills needed to make the garment?

        We have designed a four-day sewing retreat, teaching the iconic pencil skirt. First introduced by Christian Dior in the 1950’s, it stands for effortless style; the silhouette flatters all shapes and is the basis for all other skirt styles. Once you have the pencil skirt under your belt, you are unstoppable!

        From drafting your own (or a model’s) pattern to finishing touches, this will be four enjoyable days in a relaxed atmosphere. Take your sewing skills to the next level while meeting like minded sewing enthusiasts. The workshop includes the individual pattern construction and all materials. The drafting literature is yours and will enable you to create patterns for all sizes and figures in the future.

        Included
        • All equipment (BROTHER industrial sewing machines and overlocker, VEIT steam tables)
        • All drafting provisions
        • All drafting literature
        • All materials (a high quality British wool cloth and BEMBERG CUPRO lining)
        • All trimmings, closures and threads
        Required for Participation

        Please bring your personal sewing kit including:

        • Fabric shears
        • Small scissors
        • Pinking shears
        • Needles and pins
        • Paper scissors
        • Mechanical pencil
        • Tape measure (metric)
        • Patternmaster ruler (if you have)
        Venue

        You will be working in our light-flooded, state-of-the-art workshop on the top floor of a former Macclesfield silk mill. Affordable accommodation and parking are available in walking distance. Please contact us for information.

        Booking

        Book your spot on the course on the Ticket Tailor platform, following this link.

        Student attending a full-time course in a workroom with tailoring mannequin in the background
        October 8, 2023

        New Tailoring Courses

        Short Courses

        Online Classes: tailoring courses in pattern construction for bespoke garments, for male and female figure type as well as the custom shirt and the ever popular hand button hole class are all available in online format this October.

        In-Person Classes: the long-awaited Custom Shirt Making course is scheduled for May 2024, at our workshop in Cheshire/UK. The focus is entirely on the meticulous techniques the shirt is famous for (French seams, etc). 

        Book your tickets on Ticket Tailor: safe and simple to use, the platform has all the details. Once booked, you gain access to the online class with a Zoom link. PDF instructions and live recordings are provided.

        Full-Time Courses

        The Level 5 Diploma in Bespoke Tailoring: now in its sixth year, the course provides a regulated qualification to those who are looking for a professional career in bespoke tailoring, high-end fashion design or stage and film production. The Tailoring Academy remains the sole provider with accreditation to deliver the programme, which is open to British citizens and UK residents, as well as those eligible to enter the UK under the Youth Mobility scheme.

        The International Programme offers two separate courses to overseas students. Each is approved by the UK Fashion and Textile Association UKFT alongside the Level 5 Diploma, recognising the same high standard.
        We can provide access to high quality accommodation for six international students.

        Online Tailoring

        And finally, the 2024/25 edition of our popular Online Tailoring class: this course is designed for enjoyment and has served many of our past students as a springboard to the world of bespoke tailoring. Participants from around the world come together every Friday to learn from the same tutors who teach our full-time courses.

        Find information on all tailoring courses, follow the tabs on the main menu, or drop us a line using the form below.


          An under collar, marked for proposed adjustments following the forward fitting.
          June 26, 2023

          Online Tailoring 2023/24

          Can it be done on screen? That is the question when considering an online course, especially learning practical skills. Having had to switch to remote delivery during the pandemic, we learned there are even upsides to learning on screen: we now use ‘Zoom-in-the-Room’ even for classroom demos. Our full-time students never miss a detail as every process step is shown close-up. Questions during the session are directly addressed via the interconnected sound system.

          The same applies to Online Tailoring, a class attended by students from around the world: they either follow live every Friday, or catch up using the recording we provide. Between sessions, they discuss queries with tutors using our dedicated chat channel. Over the course of a year, our students learn to draft, cut and tailor a bespoke jacket from beginning to end! But don’t take our word for it. Here is Justin (who had never tailored before) about his experience:

          “The course is well structured and the quality of teaching is excellent. Every point is carefully explained, time is always made for questions, and tutors take real interest in students’ progress. The presentation of content is excellent and the online experience has been carefully considered.

          The recordings allow me to recap and the well monitored chat forum makes me feel part of a real class. The dedication for teaching really shines through as praise and encouragement. I will benefit this experience long into the future. If you are interested in bespoke tailoring, you could not choose a better course.”
           Photo credit: Titilayo Okujago

          We are delighted Justin chose not only to join, but to stay with us once he has completed his course: he will enrol on our Level 5 Diploma programme, to qualify as bespoke cutter and tailor under the Regulated Qualification Framework.

          The new Online Tailoring class starts 15th September. Get in touch if you are interested in what it can offer you:


            April 23, 2023

            Last Few Places

            *** Fully booked for 2023/24. Admissions open shortly for 2024/25 ***

            The Level 5 Diploma in Bespoke Tailoring (RQF) continues to grow its reputation as a government regulated qualification for those who want to build their bespoke tailoring and cutting skills to a professional level. With its growing popularity, we have received a record number of applications this year and are close to filling the last remaining places. Please note we do not operate a submission deadline but admit suitable candidates on a first come, first serve basis.

            Approved as a Higher Education (HE) qualification by the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), the course delivers the full skill set – Bespoke Cutting AND Tailoring  – in ONE structured curriculum. Uniquely, we teach both skill sets for male and female figure types. Our graduates are highly sought after by bespoke tailoring companies, stage production as a well as high end fashion houses. Long-standing experts with decades worth of insight into Savile Row agree The Tailoring Academy is fast becoming *the* place to learn traditional bespoke tailoring skills.

            “The Tailoring Academy is the benchmark for Bespoke Tailoring education and this
            should be celebrated 
as the exemplar in the UK.”
            Alan Cannon Jones MSc. F.FCDE, Chairman of the Judges
            The Golden Shears competition

            Once we receive your application, we invite you to a personal interview. This is your opportunity to tell us about your background and motivation to join. Within a few days of your interview you will receive written notification as to whether or not we can offer you a place on the course.

            Our programme is hugely popular with candidates from around the world and has just become accessible to
            international students following our accreditation by the British Accreditation Council (BAC).
            We have now opened the application process for our new International Programme starting 2023.

             

            October 2, 2022

            UKFT awards Approval

            We are delighted to announce the UK Fashion and Textile Association UKFT has awarded the first course on our new International Programme its stamp of approval! In recognition of its high delivery and assessment standards, the Sector Skills Body will list the Bespoke Jacket course alongside its government regulated qualifications (the Level 5 Diploma in Bespoke Tailoring being one of them).

            The UKFT Approved scheme recognises and promotes high-quality provision that will equip candidates with the skills required to progress in their chosen career. It is worth noting the panel of assessors pointed out this is the first non-regulated training provision approved by the skills body – proud doesn’t cover it.

            Admissions are now open: join us for your approved next career move and apply for your place on the programme.
            Any questions? Send us your enquiry using the form below:


              September 24, 2022

              Apply Now

              … for your place on our 2023/24 Level 5 Diploma course:

              We have had an exiting academic year culminating in the award of accreditation by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) and approval of our new International Programme by the UK Fashion and Textiles Association, UKFT (more on this shortly). But the Academy also just received another ringing endorsement of its highly acclaimed course for UK students. The testimonial comes from no other than Liveryman Alan Cannon Jones MSc. F.FCDE, Chairman of the Judges of the prestigious Golden Shears competition:

              “The Tailoring Academy is the benchmark for Bespoke Tailoring education and this should be celebrated and encouraged as the exemplar in the UK.”

              Responsible for quality assurance on our Level 5 Diploma programme, the expert with vast experience from across the British tailoring industry added:

              “The career progression of graduating students over the past two years has proved that the knowledge and skills acquired provide the springboard that the trade requires.”

              If you are thinking about a career in bespoke tailoring and look for a government-regulated qualification that equips you with the all-important practical skills, this is the course for you. With previous experience in garment making,
              acquired either through formal or self-study, you can now submit your application, to be considered as one of the first candidates for a place on the full-time course starting September 2023. *Please note we limit the offer to only eight places this year, to also provide for overseas candidates on our newly approved International Programme.

              Find the key facts below, or get in touch by email for more information! If your application is successful, we invite you for a personal interview. Within a few days you will receive notification as to whether or not we can offer you a place (we always include feedback). We hold your offer for 14 days to allow you to complete the formal registration process. A non-refundable enrolment fee is payable upon agreement.

              IMPORTANT: to protect the wellbeing of our staff and students, we will only consider applications from candidates who have been fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants (evidence required).

              Course Structure:
              Qualification SEG Level 5 Diploma in Bespoke Tailoring (601/8252/0)
              Cutting AND Tailoring Pathway (two qualifications)
              Regulator Ofqual
              Assessment Internal assessment, internal and external moderation
              Grading Pass
              Dates 11 September 2023 to 12 July 2024
              Format Full Time
              Fee £9,995 incl. VAT 
              Payment Schedule Enrolment Fee: £2,495 incl. VAT (upon agreement, non-refundable)
              1st Instalment:  £2,500 incl. VAT (1st August 2023)
              2nd Instalment: £2,500 incl. VAT (1st December 2023)
              3rd Instalment:  £2,500 incl. VAT (1st April 2024)
              Sector Fashion and Textiles
              Ofqual SSA Sector Manufacturing Technologies
              Stakeholder Support UKFT and The Savile Row Bespoke Association
              Visit UKFT’s website

               

              August 20, 2022

              Going International

              We are thrilled to announce that, following a rigorous process of inspection, the Tailoring Academy was awarded
              accreditation by the British Accreditation Council, obtaining the leading mark of educational quality within the independent further and higher education sector. The council’s independent panel of experts judged that we meet all their standards in the following areas:

                • Teaching, learning and assessment
                • Governance, strategy and financial management
                • Academic management and administration
                • Student support, guidance, recruitment and progression
                • Premises, facilities, and learning resources
                • Quality management, assurance and enhancement.

              BAC accreditation adds another layer of quality assurance for all our students, staff and other stakeholders. It also enables us to enrol international students onto our new short term courses of up to six months in length. The first of our programmes for international students will launch in September and is already fully booked.
              Please get in touch using the contact form below if you would like to add your name to our mailing list for updates on subsequent courses starting in February 2023.