Who attended the DP World sewing course?

What do the woman say:

Tarren

eagerly enrolled because she had a sewing machine gifted by her grandmother over a year ago but had never learned how to use it. With a background in machine embroidery and having established her own fledgling embroidery business, Tarren found the course to be the perfect opportunity to expand her skills. The training was immensely beneficial, teaching her to operate her sewing machine and overlocker, sew straight lines, gather fabric, insert zippers, and create various items such as small and big bags and pencil cases etc. This newfound knowledge greatly enhanced her embroidery business, enabling her to open sleeves, embroider them, and sew them back together professionally.

Tarren enjoyed the basic sewing course so much that she decided to continue her education by enrolling in a dressmaking course at the Upcycle sewing centre. Her passion for sewing has grown, and she now dreams of mastering garment creation and more intricate sewing techniques. Additionally, Tarren is keen on learning business skills, such as crafting a business plan, marketing her products, sourcing materials, and understanding pricing strategies. She aspires to transform her sewing and embroidery skills into a thriving business, making unique items for friends and family while exploring opportunities to sell her creations to a broader market.

Concelia, a quiet yet ambitious woman, learned about the free sewing course sponsored by DP World through her community group chat. Seeking a productive outlet and tired of being unemployed and idle, she eagerly sought directions and joined the course. With minimal needlework experience, having only stitched her dresses and fixed garments by hand, Concelia was keen to acquire new skills and turn them into a source of livelihood.

The course exceeded her expectations. Concelia mastered essential techniques, such as sewing straight lines, operating a sewing machine, and creating various items like bags, pencil cases, strings, and wallets. These new skills ignited a sense of hope and purpose in her. Now, she is actively involved in stitching mattress covers for Upcycle’s mattress cover project, showcasing her improved sewing proficiency.

Concelia dreams of owning her own business, partnering with others to design and stitch garments, and selling her creations at markets and in her own shop. However, she faces challenges, such as not owning a sewing machine and lacking a dedicated space to set up her work. She also needs materials and patterns to continue her growth. Despite these obstacles, Concelia loved the sewing course and is eager to attend more, particularly those focusing on garment making. Her dedication is so profound that she even dreams of stitching in her sleep, reflecting her passion and determination to turn her newfound skills into a thriving business.

Ingrid

discovered the free sewing course sponsored by DP World through a community chat group. Drawn by her long-standing desire to learn how to sew and the hope of turning newfound skills into a source of income, she joined the course despite having no prior sewing experience. The course was transformative for Ingrid, instilling in her a newfound confidence and a belief in her abilities. She enjoyed the process of learning, meeting like-minded individuals, and having a purposeful activity that took her out of the house.

Following the course, Ingrid’s son, who works in America, gifted her a sewing machine for Mother’s Day, identical to the ones used in the course. This thoughtful gift allowed her to continue practicing and improving her skills at home. Now, Ingrid is part of Upcycle’s mentorship program, attending sessions once a week to further develop her sewing skills, improve her production speed, and create upcycled products for the zero-waste shop.

Ingrid’s newfound skills have enabled her to make thoughtful presents for friends and family, and she is keen to expand her abilities through additional sewing and business development courses. She dreams of starting her own business, making useful products on demand, and offering alteration services to earn an income. The course not only taught her practical skills but also reignited her self-belief and determination to achieve her goals.

Nomsa

A domestic worker with a passion for sewing, learned about the free sewing course sponsored by DP World through her employer. Thrilled by the opportunity to advance her skills, she eagerly joined the course. Nomsa found the experience incredibly rewarding, particularly enjoying the lessons on inserting zippers perfectly, a task she had previously attempted but now mastered through proper techniques. While she had been making bags before, the course introduced her to more advanced methods, significantly improving the quality of her work. Nomsa was especially delighted to learn how to create various types of bags. If given the chance to own her own sewing machine, she is eager to start her own business making bags. With continued practice, Nomsa is confident she will perfect her craft and turn her love for sewing into a thriving enterprise.