Imagine if you could make the perfect dressmaking pattern, tailored to your own measurements, now is your chance! Using your own measurements for hip, waist and bust Mary-Louise will be teaching you how to take a standard size block and adapt it to fit your shape. Any fit issues that you currently find with purchased garments or dressmaking patterns will be studied to learn what changes to make. These changes would then become standard changes that you can apply to any future dressmaking project.

Days 1 and 2 will be spent perfecting the fit of a bodice block and the corresponding sleeve. Time permitting a skirt block will be added to the bodice to give a complete dress block. All will depend on the complexity of any fit issues and time constraints. You will produce a paper block of your own and a toile that goes with it.

These three blocks can form the basis of most patterns and styles that you would like to make in the future.

Day 3 will focus on turning your personal block into your chosen style of garment. You can make style changes to your block, the possibilities include moving the location of a dart, changing pleats, gathers, seam lines or a dart into tuck. This process can be used with any of the block pieces and also can be applied to commercial patterns. You will discover exciting new opportunities to create your own bespoke designs or to copy garments that you admire, from blouses to skirts and dresses. You will produce a pattern from your block as well as paper exercises that enable you to explore how you can create a greater range of ideas.

Please note this class is not suitable for complete beginners, you should have some experience of dressmaking.

This class is over 3 days: Day 1 is Monday 15th September, Day 2 is Monday 22nd September and Day 3 is Monday 29th September, you are booking for all 3 days days.

Requirements for this class:
3 metres of medium weight calico.
A sharp HB pencil, preferably a retractable one.
A biro.
Scotch or invisible tape.
A simple sewing kit (scissors, tape measure, hand sewing needles, marking chalk, pins etc.)
You will be provided with pattern paper for the first blocks but you will need to provide paper for day 3 to create your own pattern. This can be purchased in store.

Pattern Drafting and Cutting - 3 Day workshop - 15th, 22nd & 29th September