Dressmaking Introduction Course

£95.00

If you have never used a sewing pattern or made a garment before but are ready to venture into the wonderful world of dressmaking, then this is the course for you, led by Alison Leese, expert seamstress and owner of Ministry of Craft! 

Designed to equip you with all the knowledge you need to decipher a commercial sewing pattern and to teach you the practical skills to make either a kimono, wrap-around skirt, pyjama bottoms, tunic dress or top, tiered top,  stretch batwing top, top with raglan sleeves, kimono jacket or a girl’s dress, using a fabric of your choice (see ‘What to Bring’).

 

Week 1 – Sewing Patterns Decoded

Get tips for selecting the appropriate pattern size and learn how to take body measurements. Calculate fabric requirements, understand directional prints, differentiate between woven and stretch fabrics, and consider various fabric widths and drapes.

Next, get practical by laying out pattern pieces on fabric. Identify key symbols such as grainlines, notches, and seam allowances, and learn how to pin, position, measure, and transfer markings. Explore basic pattern alterations to shorten, lengthen, reduce or increase a pattern for a perfect fit.

You will then cut out your pattern pieces in your fabric for your chosen garment.

 

Week 2 & 3 – Construct your chosen garment

These two weeks will be spent constructing your garment. You will master essential dressmaking techniques, such as, seams, pressing, hems, darts, facings, waistbands, binding, buttonholes and use one of our Janome overlockers for a professional finish to raw edges. 

Whatever you choose to make, you’ll finish the course with a beautiful, handmade garment and a newfound confidence in your dressmaking skills.

To gift this workshop, select ‘Purchase as a Workshop Gift Voucher’ from the below menu and you will receive a PDF voucher by email for your recipient to attend on any available date.  Alternatively purchase a Gift Voucher for any value to use on any workshop and date.

If the date you require is sold out, contact us with the workshop name and date, so we can let you know if a place becomes available or when the new date goes on sale.

Our workshops are non-refundable and can only be changed to an alternative date with 14 days’ notice, so please make sure you’ve checked your diary carefully before booking. Please see our Refund and Cancellation Policy.

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Home Studio Chorlton

Based at a Home Studio in Chorlton with a small class size.

View Home Studio Chorlton venue information including directions and parking.

Advanced Beginner

As this is not a beginner’s workshop, you must already have some experience on a sewing machine or have attended one of our Beginner sewing workshops.

You will need the following materials for your selected garment (all the equipment will be provided), please avoid bulky, stretchy or slippery fabrics; light to medium weight woven cotton is ideal (except for the stretch batwing top which should be made in a knit fabric):

 

Kimono

    • 3m of either 115cm or 150cm wide fabric.
    • Matching thread.

The sleeve length may be slightly shorter on narrower width fabrics as the body and sleeve are cut as one, but you can add a separate cuff. If you would like a cuff in contrast fabric you will need 40cm and you could also do the binding in contrast fabric too which would need an extra 20cm.

 

Wrap-Around Skirt

  • 2m for either 115cm or 150cm wide fabric for a knee-length or 3m for either 115cm or 150cm wide fabric for a full-length.
  • One button (maximum size 3cm).
  • Matching thread.

 

Pyjama Bottoms 

  • 2.4m of 115cm wide fabric or 2m of 150cm wide fabric.
  • 1m of 38mm wide elastic.
  • 2m of ribbon (any width up to about 2.5cm).
  • Matching sewing thread.

 

Tunic Dress or Top

  • 2m for a top and 2.5m for a dress of either 115cm or 150cm wide fabric.
  • 20cm of fusible interfacing.
  • Matching thread.

 

Tiered Top

    • 2.5m of 115cm wide fabric or 2m of 150cm wide fabric.
    • Matching thread.

 

Stretch Batwing Top

Choose a medium weight knit fabric with a moderate stretch such as cotton jersey or ponte roma. Avoid anything too light weight or stretchy.

  • 2m of 150cm wide fabric.
  • 20cm of fusible interfacing.
  • Matching thread.

 

Top with Raglan Sleeves

  • 2m for a top of either 115cm or 150cm wide fabric.
  • 20cm of fusible interfacing.
  • Matching sewing thread.

 

Kimono Jacket

    • 2m of either 115cm or 150cm wide fabric.
    • Matching thread.

The sleeve length may be slightly shorter on narrower width fabrics as the body and sleeve are cut as one, but you can add a separate cuff. If you would like a cuff in contrast fabric you will need 40cm and you could also do the binding in contrast fabric too which would need an extra 10cm.

 

Girl’s Dress

  • 70cm of fabric for the dress and 30cm of fabric for the facing (this can be the same as the dress fabric or a contrast in a similar or lighter weight fabric) for either 115cm or 150cm wide fabric.
  • 20cm of fusible interfacing.
  • Two 1.5-2cm buttons.
  • Matching sewing thread.

Sizes for the girl’s dress are available in 12-18 months (49-51cm chest), 2-3 years (53-55cm chest) or 4-5 years (57-59cm chest).

 

Tea and coffee will be available at the workshop and you are welcome to bring along your own refreshments. There will be a break to eat, so please bring along some lunch or you can pop out to a local shop.

Our sponsors, Janome, supply computerised sewing machines (5060 QDC) and where required overlockers (6234XL). Unfortunately, it is not possible to bring along your own machines.

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