Changing the world one stitch at a time

Sewing is having a major moment, and Woolwich Common Community Centre (WCCC) which is managed by GCDA, is right at the heart of the nation’s stitching story, making this brilliant life skill accessible to everyone.

Maybe you never learned to sew at school. Maybe you thought needles and thread weren’t for you. Or maybe one unfortunate textiles teacher put you off forever.

But here’s the reality: in the UK, each of us throws away around 3.1kg of textile waste every year, with over half ending up in landfill. Something has to change, and that’s where GCDA Learning comes in.

Learning to sew isn’t just creative, it’s powerful. It helps you buy less, waste less, and make your clothes last longer. From fixing a loose button to repairing ripped jeans or even creating your own outfits from scratch, sewing puts you in control of your wardrobe and the planet.

GCDA Adult Learning offers a wide range of FREE sewing classes, many hosted at WCCC. Run by Jane Downes and her friendly team, the centre is a welcoming, inclusive and laughter-filled space where everyone can learn, create, and grow in confidence.

GCDA Learning popped in to discover how sewing at WCCC is changing lives, one stitch at a time.

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Students creating a toile on Karen's course

PATTERN CUTTING

Karen Huggins, an expert tutor who runs her own children’s label Little Huggins, teaches Pattern Cutting at WCCC.

She guides students step by step through creating their own made-to-measure skirt and bodice patterns.

All Karen’s learners have previously completed GCDA’s beginners’ sewing courses, building the skills needed to go onto the next stage.

Once all Karen’s learners have finished both their pattern blocks, they'll have an opportunity to attend a final course (scheduled for summer 2026) where they'll design a unique piece of clothing, create their own pattern and sew a sample outfit.

Karen says, “there's so much more to learn about pattern cutting but these courses could set the wheels in motion for learners to independently make clothes from their own designs.”

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ALTERATIONS AND UPCYCLING

Coral Turner is a couture designer with her own bespoke fashion company. She’s been teaching alteration and upcycling sessions at WCCC for the last few months helping students transform unloved items in their wardrobes from ‘worn once’ to ‘new again.’

Kemi (pictured above) first learned to sew with GCDA and has since completed a pattern cutting course with Karen. During Coral’s course, Kemi’s been transforming a pre-loved wrap skirt and oversized top into a stunning, fitted evening dress. Starting with a toile (a prototype garment) made using a commercial pattern, Kemi then adapted the design to include an embroidered neckline and a long flowing skirt.

Every skill she’s picked up along the way has come together in this project, and she couldn’t be prouder of the result. Her finished floor-length dress, made in vibrant African wax print fabric and finished with a sparkling diamante centre, is a true showstopper.

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Sheila's macrame students support each other

CRAFT & TEXTILES

Not all textile skills have to be channelled into clothing. Artist and creative, Sheila Louis runs a variety of GCDA courses in subjects as diverse as patchwork, embroidery, accessories and macramé.

"Whether I walk through the door of WCCC on a Monday or Wednesday, the atmosphere is always the same," says Sheila. "Jane and her team have created such a welcoming and nurturing space. That spirit of co-operation is reflected in my classes, where I find people are so supportive of one another. There really is a unique approach to teaching at GCDA Learning – you come away with much more than knowledge.”

For more information on GCDA Learning’s wide range of sewing classes please click here, and for further reading, check out Coral’s article on the forgotten Black female designers who helped shape fashion history. Just click here.