Thursday, 5th March & Friday, 6th March
2 day trial workshop: 10am ā 5pm
FREE to first applicants
If you struggle to get a good fit with commercial sewing patterns or, perhaps, you want to start designing your own, then this class might be for you. This introduction to pattern drafting and garment design is a new offering for us, and we don’t know how it will pan out. If you’re feeling adventurous and you’d like to give pattern making a try, we are offering this 2-day workshop FREE to the first four people who sign up.
What’s on offer:
Over 2 days, we’ll aim to construct a custom-fitted dress block pattern, from which you’ll make your own close-fitting calico ‘toile’. We’ll provide the necessary tools and paper for drawing your pattern, and the calico you’ll need for the toile. You’ll need to bring your own basic sewing kit, including a soft (2B) pencil and eraser, and paper scissors. You are welcome to bring your own sewing machine but, as this is not a sewing class per se, you are equally welcome to use one of ours.
You’ll need a bit of dressmaking experience and solid sewing machine skills. The calico toile is not a wearable garment but, as it’s fitted to you, it will be a useful tool for modifying other patterns and it will form an excellent basis for your own designs, if that’s your ambition. While you’re with us, you can browse our book collection for ideas and, if you’re interested in fashion design, we’ll be happy to recommend additional resources.
This trial course will cover drafting a close-fitting dress toile to your own measurements from a bodice and skirt block pattern. We’ll discuss adding volume or ‘ease’ to your pattern and, depending on how we get on, you’ll have the opportunity to add sleeves, experiment with dart manipulation, or try some simple pattern modifications.
Remember that the point of the workshop is to make a personalised pattern. To that end, you’ll need to wear a close-fitting base layer so that we can take the necessary measurements in class.
We recommend that your sewing kit should, as a minimum, include the following:
- Fabric scissors
- Thread snips or embroidery scissors
- Seam ripper
- Fabric marker
- Tape measure
- Hand sewing needles
- Pins
This free trial 2-day pattern drafting workshop is expected to fill quickly. Contact usĀ using the form or calling 087 669 3331.
