Arebyte Studios

Hello and welcome.  My name is Claire and I own Couchman Bespoke an ethical tailoring company based in London, UK  

Learn to copy your favourite garment to get continued enjoyment out of a garment that fits like a dream.   In this class you will learn how to copy a garment on paper.  If we have time, you may get part way into cutting in cloth.  Cloth is unavailable through me, so please do bring your own.  Ability to complete this depends on the quickness in completing each stage and how detailed the garment is.  If you wish to sew up the garment i do recommend 3+ hours. 
You can purchase such bundle hours through the Learn to make a garment bundle class, which are available for 3 hours plus.  

This class is for all genders and ages.   Choose from 1 to 1 or group class.  

Bring a readiness to learn and maybe a notebook.  You will enjoy a pleasant environment with a patient tutor near Canning Town station.  All equipment is provided for your learning experience.  You will be learning techniques that align with your abilities and take home all that you complete for reference.  

- Be aware that this session time is based on a fairly simple style.  For any garment with layers, corset style or a jacket, coat etc, double the time will be required to complete.  Book the 3 hour session.  
- You will copy the garment on paper.  For the opportunity to make it in cloth book the 6 hour session.  Again if the garment is more complicated with layers, corset style or a jacket, coat etc; please book for 12+ hours.  

As a business for good we collect donations for our Pay It Forward scheme to allow for people unable to afford classes.  Pay It Forward (https://www.couchman-bespoke.com/product-page/buy-1-sewing-lesson-forward).

Copy your Favourite Garment

Janet Adams

Informative , relaxed and friendly . Would thoroughly recommend this one to one class . 

Shiri Begum

Claire breaks down the lesson so well - I had opted to take a simple dress to copy during the class and Claire taught me carefully how to draw out the pattern, cut the different sections and we were even able to put together some of the sections. 

I have only recently started my sewing journey and I'm really happy to have found Claire and I'm really looking forward to booking another session very soon.

Seojin Lee

Highly recommend for those who want to make their own clothes. 


Ellie Eriksson

I booked the Copy Your Favourite Garment class and Claire was brilliant. She's nice and friendly and helped me understand the mysteries of pattern making. I was a complete sewing novice, but with her help I've already managed to make a shirt! Highly highly recommend!

Evangeline Gowie

Very informative, packed a lot into a short time and I feel confident I can repeat this at home.

Karen  Lloyd

Absolutely brilliant!  Thank you Claire for sharing your expertise in helping me walk away with a pattern for my favourite top.  I didn't realise pattern making was so involved.  Relaxed and friendly setting and tutor. I am so looking forward forward to making my top.  Thank you! 

Learn to copy your favourite garment for continued enjoyment.  Choose from 1 to 1 or group class.

Learn to Make a Garment Bundle.  From learning to sew through to pattern making, to sewing up a garment.  Whether you are a beginner to sewing, wanting to understand the make up of garments or are coming back to sewing from a long break.  The bundle class will allow you to learn at a steady pace for any garment.  

I have set bundles of 3 hrs classes, 4 hrs, 5 hrs 6 hrs,  8 hrs or 10 hrs classes depending on the scale of project or what you need the most help with.  These classes are 1 to 1 only to allow for a fully bespoke style of class.  

*  A single class of 1 hour is not very long to get much completed.  The point of this listing is for the bundles.

*  The more complicated the garment the more time it will take to make.  Layers and paneling both add time to the construction process.

E.G.  A dress can take 6 plus hours.  A shirt can take 10 plus hours.  A jacket can take 20 plus hours.  Though you can choose to only do the bits you need help with the most and carry on with elements at home.

Bring a readiness to learn and maybe a notebook.  You will enjoy a pleasant environment with a patient tutor near Canning Town station.  All equipment is provided for your learning experience.  You will be learning techniques that align with your abilities and take home all that you complete for reference.  If you wish to learn a specific technique, please ask before the class date so I can be prepared for you.  

As a business for good we collect donations for our Pay It Forward scheme to allow for people unable to afford classes.  Pay It Forward (https://www.couchman-bespoke.com/product-page/buy-1-sewing-lesson-forward).

Learn to Make a Garment Bundle

Lara Platt

A great class, sewing is such an interesting  journey with so much to learn about, the first top of my spring collection is almost ready, love the studio workshop and very grateful to Claire for making the journey possible, with her knowledge and experience!

Another lovely day at the studio making progress and learning more about my new hobby craft with Claire :)

Gaining lots of experience, and insights into garment making.

Making progress and looking forward to textile printing 🤩

1 to 1 class only.  Learn to Make a Garment Bundle.  

Hello and welcome.  My name is Claire and I own Couchman Bespoke an ethical tailoring company based in London, UK.  

You have an item of clothing that fits badly, is not the style you want or has a non-repairable rip.  We all have such items that were nice loved or that were brought but never worn, this is my sustainable answer to such an issue.  I will show you how to alter this with a step-by-step guide of what to do and when.

The class is 2 hours long though this can be added to, time wise, for longer projects.  The class time will be taken up assessing the garment fit and talking you through how to measure or pin the changes for fit.  Or how to start making changes to the style of a garment, I will talk you through these changes step-by-step.  It is up to you how much information you want from me, time is our only constraint, and this can be added to.  Unpicking and sewing take up most of the time.  Also be aware that you will not get much more than 1 or 2 alterations completed.

Art of Alteration

Lydia Obaye

Great session, we went over taking in jeans on one side together and I was able to complete the other side on my own that evening (albeit much slower). Would definitely book again if I need more help 😊

Toyin Oseni

I am an absolute beginner and in my first class already learned quite a lot. Looking forward to picking up more skills and tips of the trade.

Great day in the process of repurposing old dress and turning it into a top, and knowing the process on how to do that ! 

L Platt

Had a wonderful time at the studio, thank you Claire, sooo looking forward to my tops that are currently in the worls and learning the process through and through! 

Learn how to alter a garment, step by step.

Hello and welcome.  My name is Claire and I own Couchman Bespoke an ethical tailoring company based in London, UK  

Learn to make a tote bag or travel pouch.  Cloth for use is made up of our studio off-cuts, though you are welcome to bring your own half meter of cloth.  Ability to complete this depends on the quickness and accuracy in completing each stage.

This class is for all genders and ages.   Choose from 1 to 1 or 2 person group class.  

Bring a readiness to learn and maybe a notebook.  You will enjoy a pleasant environment with a patient tutor near Canning Town station.  All equipment is provided for your learning experience.  You will be learning techniques that align with your abilities and take home all that you complete for reference.  

As a business for good we collect donations for our Pay It Forward scheme to allow for people unable to afford classes.  Pay It Forward (https://www.couchman-bespoke.com/product-page/buy-1-sewing-lesson-forward).

Beginner sewing project. Make a tote bag

I absolutely love my new tote bag, it has so much elegance, and getting more familiar with the sewing process too, Claire was happy to answer all of sewing process questions ! looking forward to making a sewing tool bag to go with it :)

Claire took great care with every step of my sewing plan, and I am advancing with my sewing knowledge and skills,  I am so happy with the result!

Make a tote bag, with cloth from our studio off-cuts.

Receive 2 metres of spot and cross paper for use in drawing out a garment pattern.  With 2 metres of calico (natural cotton) cloth for use in making a sample garment, to achieve the best fit.  These can be used alongside a number of classes.

Paper and cloth basics 

Get 2 metres of spot and cross paper with 2 metres of calico cloth.   To help when making a new clothing block.

Learn to Sew

Sign up to the Moxie Craft newsletter to occasionally receive news, promotions and event information. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Sharing Skills Stories

From sewing for the first time, cutting a pattern to making a garment from scratch.  All that you require is ready for you to learn within a pleasant environment and with a patient tutor.  Claire has 10+ years of design, making and retail experience since leaving Brighton University.  Pick the class you would like to work within and speak with us about your abilities.  You are welcome to bring along cloth you have at home; it is better to use cloth rather than to store it and miss out on the time spent wearing it.  Otherwise we do provide all the equipment you may need.  Make your own classes are for the more adventurous machinist who would like to try something new, and for someone who can sew by machine.  Choose to make a shirt, trousers, dress, a jacket or copy a garment you love and already own.

Clothing shouldn't cost the earth which is why Moxie Craft is dedicated to reduce the environmental and human impact from the clothing industry.  By creating zero waste through pattern cutting, natural dyeing and sourcing the most sustainable cloth and haberdashery we aim to have very little negative impact against the planet and local people.  Resulting in luxury British tailoring that is stylish and ethically made.  

Moxie Craft

Moxie Craft takes pride in passing on the knowledge of garment sewing.  A very human skill that many take for granted.  Getting crafty has the ability to help calm anxiety and stress, with the reward of something self made at the end.  

Moxie Craft started out as a way to teach people how to alter and repair garments after hearing people express how expensive alterations are.  This has since developed into a full sewing journey for any ability, from basic threading a machine upto garment making.  Teaching 1 to 1 classes or with a friendly plus 1 ensures a more interactive session.  Each class can be customised around the specific wants and needs of the student(s). 

With over 17 years experience in garment making and alterations Claire has key knowledge in the field.  Gradutating in 2007 from a menswear BA at Brighton University, clothing and textiles have been a big part of Claire's life.  Sustainable practices have always been a part of the business values which lead to garment alterations being a great way to reduce the impact both to the environment and people involved.  Since 2019 teaching others how to alter garments was the launching point of the repertoire of classes you can attend today.  Every session brings learning of how to best adapt to meet the needs of anyone from beginners to those coming back into sewing after years away.  Each class is very adaptive for different learning styles and is intended to inspire people to continue on their creative path.  As someone who likes human interaction Claire treats every interaction with warmth and curiosity.  Sewing brings such happiness and a sense of joy to all who try it.  To pass on skills that people can use for life is the best feeling, with a continued effort to adapt classes to meet the needs of anyone who wishes to learn.

Who we are, what we are about, and why we do what we love!

About us

We’d love to hear from you! Find out how to contact or find us below.

Get in touch

Learn to sew with a pro.  From basic sewing machine skills to making a full garment over a course of classes.

Moxie Craft

Our events

Our events

Our events

Our products

Our products