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Classes - What to Bring (Requirements List) - Dressmaking Techniques

 

Requirements List - Dressmaking Techniques Course

For this Techniques course we will not be making any particular pattern. This is about building your skills in fitting, pattern alteration and drafting.

What to Bring

  • Sewing Machine, Foot pedal and Power Lead (see our info on transporting your machine to class)
  • The Instruction Book
  • Bobbins loaded with the correct thread (must be the correct bobbins for your machine) plus spare bobbins
  • All the feet and accessories that came with the machine (including a walking/even feed foot if you have one - this will help stop the top layer of your fabric from shifting as you sew the long seams required for this)
  • Sewing Machine needles appropriate for the fabric you are using
  • Unpicker
  • Fading/Iron off/Wash off Pen in a contrast colour to your chosen fabrics or
  • Tailors Chalk or Chalk Wheel. Test out on your fabric prior to the course and if necessary purchase an appropriate alternative.
  • Pen, pencil and notebook 
  • Pins / Wonder Clips
  • Fabric scissors for cutting out 
  • Paper scissors
  • Small pair of scissors with sharp points
  • Tape measure

Week One

Trousers - You will learn how to fiit any trouser pattern to your body based on pattern measurements and your own body measurements. We will also be practising inserting a fly zipper. Any fitted trouser pattern with a fixed waistband will do. The pattern can also include darts and/or pockets. Please avoid any pattern that has pleats, tucks or elastic waistbands.

  • 50cm Calico
  • 50cm Interfacing
  • Nylon 10"/25cm Zip
  • Adjustable zip/piping foot

Week Two

Waistbands - you will be shown how to adapt a pattern to add a waistband and how to draft 3 different forms of waistband - straight, faced and curved - for skirts and trousers. Please bring a trouser or skirt pattern with a fixed waistband, as your starting point. You will be tracing from this pattern, but not cutting it up. Please avoid any pattern with an elastic waistband.

  • Pattern tracing paper
  • Glue Stick or Scotch Tape.
  • French Curves (if you have them)
  • Pattern Master (if you have one)

Week Three

Sleeves - you will be shown how to draft different sleeve shapes, eg. puff, cap, flared, bishop or lantern. Please bring a pattern for woven fabric that includes a full length straight sleeve. You will be tracing from this pattern but won't be cutting into it.

  • Pattern tracing paper
  • Glue Stick or Scotch Tape.
  • French Curves (if you have them)
  • Pattern Master (if you have one)

Machine Sewing Classes



We do not provide sewing machines for classes as we believe that you will learn more from using your own machine. If your machine is too heavy to lift; let us know before the class and we can make exception by prior arrangement.

We can help you to get your sewing machine from your car to the workshop space upstairs if you pull up outside the shop on the double yellow lines to drop it off. Then you can go and park in the car park behind the shop (see directions here).

Lunch Breaks

If your class goes over lunchtime you can either:

  • Bring your lunch with you
  • Pre-order your lunch from the lovely cafe opposite the shop (The Commute).

Our classes generally only break for a maximum 30 minutes so there isn't really time to go out and buy lunch during the day.

We have tea and coffee available all day free of charge. In classes less than 3 hours we ask that you come early and make a drink before we start.