Introduction to Dressmaking Course

Would you love to learn how to make your own clothes or for your family, but don’t know where to start? Then this is the best place to start your fashion sewing journey.

On this course I will show you how to read, interpret and alter the pattern and take you through each step of sewing your skirt so that you leave with a beautiful skirt made especially to your measurements. You will gain the knowledge and skill to do it again by applying the principals learnt during the four weeks.

We will break about half way through each session for refreshments, as sewing is thirsty work for mind and body therefore it’s only natural that there will be plenty of tea, coffee and cake to keep us going!

This course will run over four weeks, made up of five, 3 hour sessions:

Session 1

  • Pattern adaptation
  • Learn how to take your measurements and how to interpret the pattern
  • Learn how to use your measurements to adjust the pattern
  • Learn how to lay out a pattern
  • Lean how to cut out pieces required for your skirt

Session 2

  • Fusing and skirt assembly
  • Cut out interfacing and fuse pieces for your skirt
  • Learn to sew darts
  • Learn to sew panels and how to finish the seams
  • Learn how to fit the skirt and transfer alterations to the pattern pieces

Materials required for Session 2:

You will need to bring 0.5 meter length of iron on interfacing fabric, 2m of 115cm wide fabric of your choice, 1.5m of 115cm wide lining, 2 x reels of matching thread.

Session 3

  • Skirt assembly continued
  • Prepare the facing
  • Learn how to insert a zip
  • Learn how to sew in place the facing
  • Learn how to sew in place the lining and attach the zipper
  • Learn how to finish off the facing

Materials required for Session 3:

You will need to bring 1 x 25cm long invisible zipper.

Session 4

  • Learn how to measure and sew in place the hems on the fabric
  • Learn how to measure and sew in place the hems on the lining
  • Learn hand finishing techniques

Session 5

  • Finishing Techniques

Level: 3 – Confident using a sewing machine, can sew to different seam allowances, can zig zag stitch, understand about back stitching at start & end of seams. Know what a grain line is. If you have completed Introduction to Sewing Class you are level 3.

Course Length: Four, 3 hour sessions

Max in a class: 4

Price: £220

I also carry a stock of fabrics and haberdashery should you wish to purchase on the day (card payment facility available). or you can also browse and buy fabrics at our online fabric shop.