Frequently Asked Questions: About City & Guilds Courses in General:
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Do I need a computer?
Yes. You will also need a scanner and a digital camera.
What are the average hours of work for each unit?
Each Module is designed to take up to six months. You will need to dedicate a regular amount of time either on a weekly or monthly basis. An activity that is expected to takes you 10 minutes to do might take an hour to complete for various reasons so please keep this in mind when viewing these figures. According to City and Guilds, the whole course is intended to take 420 hours, breaking this down to 70 hours per Module which you should complete in six months. You will also need to make a time allowance for acquiring materials and presenting your work for your tutorial feedback each month.
How can I do the Course without a computer?
Distant Stitch offers online Courses, so you will need a computer with broadband connection if possible.
What is the difference between the Embroidery Certificate and the Embroidery Diploma?
The Certificate Course precedes the Diploma Course. So you need to start with the Certificate and then progress onto the Diploma.
What is the difference between a level 2 course and a level 3 course?
A level 2 course has less content, takes a shorter time to complete and costs less than a level 3 Course. The level 2 Machine Embroidery Course is aimed at people with very little experience except to be able to use their machines for basic sewing functions. We do not yet offer a level 3 Machine Embroidery Course.
How long do the Courses take to complete?
A level 1 Course is designed to be completed within one year; a level 2 Course, within two years; a level 3 Course, within three years. Once registered with City and Guilds, you should aim to complete within the designated time for your Course.
Can I start at any time?
You may enrol with Distant Stitch on any of our courses at any time to suit you.
What is the Embroidery Taster Module?
The Embroidery Taster Module allows you to try out the idea of learning by correspondence rather than in a class. This is a single Module, which is about half the size of each of the six Certificate Modules. You may then like to progress on to the Certificate Course. You will receive a Distant Stitch Award on the successful completion of this Taster Module.
How much is each Module?
Please refer to the information on the Prices and Method of Payment link on individual Course Pages.
How do I pay for the Modules?
Each Module is paid for one at a time as you progress through the Course. You can send a cheque by post in £ sterling (drawn on a British bank) or you may like to make an online bank transfer. You can also pay by credit card via PayPal. (You don’t need a PayPal account for this.)
How much is the City and Guilds Registration?
Your fee for your City and Guilds Registration is paid with your payment for your second Module. Please click on the link to the 'Prices' on the individual Course pages for the current fee.
How is my work assessed?
Your tutor will assess your feedback in the form of supportive and informal feedback by email and accepting work produced as satisfactory.
A City and Guilds verifier will also make an annual inspection to verify that we, at Distant Stitch, maintain our high standards.
How do I receive the tutorial instructions?
When the enrolment proceedure is complete, you will be sent an email with instruction on how to login and access your new Module. This login will take you through to your 'Student Home Page' on the website which gives you access to several other things to help you get started and information on how to proceed through the Course.
How can I set up a blog? I am very inexperienced with the computer
Many students are in this position but the find that the simple instructions supplied for setting up their blog is easy. You will need to be
connected to the internet to set up your own blog and ideally to have a broadband connection and not a dial-up one. You can create your own blog for free and there are simple steps described in your Student Handbook.
How often do I send an email to my tutor to notify them that I have posted some new work on my blog?
This is your decision, but it is suggested that you seek feedback after about 3 or 4 Chapters. If you need reassuruance earlier, then please get in touch when needed.
Can I download the Modules from the Distant Stitch website if I can only access the Internet via a 'dial-up' system?
It is much quicker and less frustrating to download large files if you have broadband. If you find that it is difficult to download them with a 'dial-up' method, we will give you technical support to enable you to receive your Modules in a different way.
What level of expertise with my sewing machine do I need to enrol in the Machine Embroidery Course?
The course is suitable for those interested in developing their knowledge and skills in machine embroidery, beginners and the more experienced embroiderer. It is for embroiderers who wish to explore the creative use of their machine. Students will need a swing-needle sewing machine with some automatic patterns. The machine will need to be in good working order
I have a sewing machine but am not very experienced in using it. Will this OK if I enrol on the Machine Embroidery Course?
You need to know how to use it or be able to read its manual and understand it. You need to know how to fill the bobbin, thread the needle and to actually form a line of stitching.
Does the Embroidery Course deal with stitching by machine?
The Embroidery Course contains a mixture of both hand and machine stitching and the Machine Embroidery deals solely with stitching by machine.
May I transfer my partially completed C & G coursework from another college?
You may transfer from another college although each tutor may structure their own program of work to cover the City and Guilds syllabus in a different order. You might therefore be more comfortable starting afresh with Distant Stitch and using your previous knowledge and skills to help you work confidently through the Modules. Your previous work can be inserted into appropriate stages within the Distant Stitch program. If you would like to discuss this further with your own personal circumstances, please email or phone Sian Martin.
I would like to enjoy working through the Course at my own pace and do not wish to keep to the mandatory time limit. Can I do this?
You are certainly welcome to work at your own pace through any of our Courses. If you wish to receive a City and Guilds qualification at the end of your Course, you will need to be registered with them and keep to the mandatory time limit for your Course level. If this time limit does not suit, you may work your way through your Course at your own pace and will be rewarded with a Distant Stitch Certificate on completion.
What is the difference between a City and Guilds Certificate and a Distant Stitch Certificate?
Both qualifications can be achieved by following the same Course with Distant Stitch. For a City and Guilds Certificate, you must pay a registration fee and work within a mandatory time limit if you wish to qualify. There is no registraton fee and no time limitation to qualify for a Distant Stitch Certificate.
When and how do I need to register with City and Guilds?
Distant Stitch will collect and initiate your registration with City and Guilds when you order your second Module of your Course (first Module for a level 1 Course).
Do you offer your own Diploma as well as a Certificate course?
We offer most of our Courses both as a City and Guilds and as a Distant Stitch award.
Is the Distant Stitch a nationally/internationally recognised in the same way as C & G?
All our City and Guilds Courses have national and international recognition. The name of Distant Stitch is held in high regard in the world of textiles as our standard of teaching and student achievement is much valued and sought-after, although we are not an examinations board like City and Guilds.
If I were to pay to register with C & G and then decided I didn't want to work to the limit set by C&G, would the work I had done automatically be transferred over to qualify towards the Distant Stitch Award and would I get a refund?
Yes, you would be able to transfer because the content of both are identical so you can be assured of a seamless transition from one to another. But no, City and Guilds would not give a refund.
If I opted to do a Distant Stitch Course, what are the registration costs - is it just the £25 enrolment fee?
There is no registration cost for a Distant Stitch award, just the initial enrol fee as for all our Courses.
Can I do the Patchwork & Quilting Course without a sewing machine?
Yes, of course you can enjoy using hand stitching although this will take longer.
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