Our beginner’s dressmaking workshop isn’t rocket science – we promise you! Anyone who knows me will know that this is a bit of a poke at my newly appointed husband who really is a scientist! When he starts telling me about his day, I start to think “huh – what is he talking about? but he takes the time to explain it to me, puts it into real world language and it suddenly makes sense to me. And I can understand where some might think the same about dressmaking as it can be shrouded in mystery words and techniques but using our easy, relaxed but can-do attitude towards learning, we will work with you ensure that you learn a modern, more relaxed approach to dressmaking from the ground up.

This is a multi-session workshop, and the cost includes EVERYTHING – even a sewing machine if needed – as well a 16-page workbook created just for this workshop and samples where required. You will make a top from the independent pattern company Colette Patterns called the Laurel Top – which is a great top to start with as you can modify it for so many different looks.

Please note: Both evening and day sessions cover the same information.

Session 1: – You won’t need a sewing machine for this session as much of what this session is about knowledge intake and pattern preparation before you start. In this session, we will be:

• Showing you around the various patterns that are available for you to use (mainstream ones like Butterick and New Look, Independent labels, free ones from magazines as well as PDF downloads from the internet) and the plusses and minuses of using these each type of pattern.
• Talking about how to understand taking correct measurements and if you would like, take your set for reference.
• Using the Colette Laurel Top pattern, you will be given a demonstration on basic pattern tracing techniques using American craft paper.
• Talking about fabric for your pattern and how to pick the correct fabric for your pattern. We will discuss fabric preparation and show you how to layout and cut your the fabric as per your pattern instructions.

You will have a full set of instructions and information for all the areas that we cover (we even give you a little notebook to take notes!). For homework, you will be taking home your fabric and cutting it out ready for next week – but don’t worry, we will make sure you know what you are doing!

We provide the fabric for your project (a cotton lawn weight) and try to pick a range of fabrics to choose from but this can be the hardest part as everyone has personal tastes that we can’t, with the best knowledge in the world, accommodate for. If you have a specific fabric you would like to use – or are keen to purchase your own – we can give you advice that is suitable for these projects. But please don’t feel you have to purchase anything as again, we provide it!

 Session number 2 – This is where the magic begins! We will:

• Review last weeks session and a quick Q and A session.
• Discuss piecing techniques for ensuring pain-free construction of your garment.
• Learn how to insert a zipper (how to know what zipper to use, how to shorten a zipper that is too long, explain the importance of a zipper foot and how to change it and then simple insertion techniques)
• Use your pattern instructions, and be guided as you start to piece your garment together.
• Discuss the importance of double bias binding to the construction of your garment . You will make your own bias binding for your garment.
• Add the bias binding to your sleeves and neckline.

Session number 3/4 – Making sure you get a great finish for your top (or how to surprise people when you tell them that you made it!). We will:

• Use the “easing” technique for simple and easy insertion of sleeves.
• Conduct final piecing of your garment.
• Create fabric buttons from your fabric of choice to finish the back closing.
• Discuss where you can make basic alterations to your top to help get a better fit.
• We can answer any questions and give advice on moving forward with choosing a pattern; the Studio has a collection of patterns and pattern books that you can borrow free of charge to trace your next project from.

Skill Level: Enthusiastic Beginner (not sure if you are an enthusiastic beginner? We like you to be able to sew straight and not be afraid to ask questions. But if you want to make sure you are set up to take this workshop, why not sign up for our All You Need to Know to Sew workshop?)

Course Availability: Daytimes & Evenings

EQUIPMENT LIST: All materials are provided for in the workshop – we want you to not have to worry about a thing when you come along. If you would like to see what we use, or bookmark for later, the link is here.

Fee and what this includes: 127.00 and this includes everything you will need to take this workshop (we can even lend you a sewing machine if required), coffee/tea and a home made snack.

If you can make an A-line skirt  it can be the staple to any wardrobe – but finding one to make that is well constructed, has a lining and pockets can be hard to find.  We use the Amy Butler Barcelona pattern as our base and then show you how to customise it to different lengths, add a french seam, insert an invisible zipper for a neat finish as well as different lengths to suit your own particular taste. And once you know how to create the first skirt, you can go on to make more skirts in a wide variety of fabric choices for all seasons – you can have a skirt for every occasion!

In this multi-session workshop you will learn:

Session 1:

• measuring for your size (this pattern sits slightly lower along the hips than your average A-line skirt)
• cutting out both the lining fabric and the main fabric as well as transferring markings
• installing an invisible zipper using an invisible zipper foot to the main fabric
• We provide the fabric for the lining (either a white or black cotton muslin weight) as well as the zipper foot for installing the zipper, an invisible zipper, thread etc.  
• You will be required to purchase  2 3/8 yards  0r 1.9 metres of fabric of your choice before the workshop.  We can give you advice on what type of fabric you could use for your skirt – the suggested fabric by the designer is a cotton weight fabric.

Session 2:

• construct the main fabric skirt, using a French seam for a clean finish
• construct the skirt lining also using a French seam
• attach main fabric and lining together
• finish hand sewing the zipper to the lining to ensure a finished look
• hem the skirt to the appropriate height

Skill Level: Enthusiastic beginner (not sure if you are an enthusiastic beginner? We like you to be able to have taken a dressmaking course so that you understand basics such as laying out your pattern, cutting etc. but also how to sew straight and not be afraid to ask questions.

But if you want to make sure you are set up to take this workshop, why not sign up for our beginning dressmaking workshop Dressmaking Isn’t Rocket Science or our beginner sewing workshop All You Need to Know to Sew ?)

Course Availability: Daytimes & Evenings

Fee and what this includes: 70.00 and this includes everything you will need to take this workshop except for the main fabric (we can even lend you a sewing machine if required), coffee/tea and a home made snack.

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