Course equipment
You will need some essential equipment for your timetabled sessions from Monday 21 September onwards and for your independent study. You will use these items on a very regular basis throughout your studies and into your future careers. It is advisable to purchase the best quality you can afford and keep everything organised and labelled in a box or bag.
Fashion Essentials Equipment list: Pattern Master, metric tape measure, pencils 2H/HB, masking/magic tape, awl, pattern notchers, tracing wheel, general purpose paper scissors, pattern drill, 10”-12” dressmakers shears (fabric), dressmakers pins, magnetic seam guide, chalk pencil / erasable dressmakers pen, seam ripper / thread snips, embroidery scissors, ring binder & plastic sleeves, strong cost-hangers, garment bag.
You will also need ‘Sewing Room Pack’* consisting of bobbins, spools (essential), magnetic seam guide (essential) and specialist feet (optional) which is specifically for use with the industrial sewing machines we have on campus. You may decide to start with the basics and acquire additional items to create a full professional kit from the start or build up as your knowledge and skills increase.
We have been working closely with a reputable local supplier, FCE London, for many years. Their equipment is high quality and competitively priced with other suppliers and are the correct size for the machinery. *A standard ‘bobbin case pack’ is included in the Rave Essentials and the premium ‘Rave sewing room pack’ is included in the Gold/Silver/Bronze.
FCE London: Rave Sewing Room Pack
FCE London: Ravensbourne University All Packs
FCE London: All student packs
If you already have, or have sourced your essentials equipment from elsewhere, a range of sewing room packs are also available separately.
FCE London will host a pop-up shop on campus during your scheduled times in your First Week. You will be able to buy packs and individual items to take away with you (subject to availability) and/or place additional orders for delivery to the university.
The delivery address is stated on the FCE portal: Ravensbourne University, 6 Penrose Way, London SE10 0EW. Advance orders include discounted delivery and will only be delivered to the specific university. These will be available for collection in time for your timetabled classes in week commencing Monday 21 September 2026.
Not essential, as these resources are within the university. However, if you decide to continue with independent study off campus you may find it useful to have:
Bags: Trolley bag / suitcase / large zipped storage bags to transport your work to and from campus
Mini mannequin: Your own mini mannequin, also available from ‘FCE London’. These are great when developing 3D shapes as they are half scale and so save space and materials. These are commonly used in couture houses to test and refine ideas.
Sewing machine: Recommended Sewing Machines Information. Owning a sewing machine for home use is not essential, but is a good back-up. Higher quality finish can be achieved using university machinery and is encouraged for all final garments.
Please bring a notepad and some basic stationery to your first week sessions as you will need these for your induction activities.
Art and design materials: Additional art and design materials such as sketchbooks, paper and drawing media will be required throughout the course. If purchasing sketchbooks in advance, these should be good quality cartridge paper A3 landscape and NOT spiral bound / tear out perforated pages. Further details will be provided during your first week.
Laptop requirements
Please see our laptop requirements document to ensure you have a device that will be suitable for your studies.
