Description

Overview

This creative pattern cutting and garment construction course introduces you to the design process, incorporating fitting and drafting a skirt block, pattern cutting techniques, and making a skirt.  You’ll particularly enjoy this course if you already have some experience with clothes making, and are interested in creative freedom beyond the confines of commercial sewing patterns.  It’s also ideal for people who have their own design ideas, or are fed up with constantly fitting commercial patterns to their bodies.

The first part of the course includes:

• Drafting a skirt block based on your body measurements;
• Adapting the draft block to fine-tune the fit;
• Tracing the finalised block onto card for longevity.

You’ll also learn how to use pattern cutting equipment such as a set square, notcher, awl, tracing wheel and hole punch.  See below for more details.

The second part of the course features an introduction to:

• Dart manipulation;
• Creating gores;
• Adding gathers;
• Adding pleats.

You’ll be able to take these techniques and apply what you’ve learned and practiced to design your own skirt.  Because you’re using your bespoke skirt block, you’ll have the comfort and security of getting an excellent fit with very little effort.  You’ll have a peer group around you so that you can learn from each other’s fitting journey and application of pattern cutting techniques.

Garment construction: The third and final part of the course

You can use fabric from your stash for your final design, but advice and support will be given throughout the course as we work through your ideas.  On the other hand, if you’d like to design a skirt especially for fabric in your stash, let me know closer to the time and I’ll give you special guidance.  Regardless of your choice, it’s best that you choose your own fabric for your skirt design.  You know your wardrobe and tastes better than I do, or ever will!

There are 6 places and 6 sewing machines available, but you can bring your own sewing machine if you’d prefer.

 

Equipment and materials

You’ll need to bring:

• Your own sewing kit (fabric scissors, paper scissors, sewing pins, a pincushion, tape measure, hand sewing needles, assorted thread);
• A notebook and pen or pencil;
• A set square or pattern master – both are available from Morplan;
• A mechanical pencil, 2H-4H hardness.  I recommend a mechanical pencil for pattern cutting because it will always stay sharp.  You can bring a wooden pencil, but be prepared to sharpen it a LOT!
• A needlepoint tracing wheel – not the serrated kind you use with carbon paper.  This one or this one, also available at Morplan, are ideal.

Paper, card and calico will be provided; you’re welcome to bring your own calico if you prefer.  Other specialist equipment, such as the notcher and awl, are also available at Morplan, but you won’t need this until a few weeks into the course.  That said, it’s easier to get everything at the same time; sometimes there are threshold spend discounts.

Location and timing – TBC

I am currently looking for a new venue. Please join the waitlist using the form below to stay in touch and be informed of available dates.

 

Any more questions?  Let me know!

If you have any questions that can’t wait, please get in touch using the contact form below. This will go straight to my inbox and I will pick up your message as soon as I can.  This form also serves as a waitlist between course dates.