Learn to Sew - Pattern Drafting for Dressmaking

Participation in our evening classes provides far more than the opportunity to learn new skills but also numerous benefits to our mental health and wellbeing. Leisure classes are known to lower stress levels, improve confidence, increase social integration, contribute to personal growth and lifelong learning to name just a few advantages.

Ever fancied making your own clothes and did not know where to start? Maybe put off by complicated commercial patterns? This course will teach you the basics of drafting patterns from your own measurements with some basic fitting principles.

The course will start with simple bodice and sleeve pattern, then you will complete a self drafted pattern for a skirt and see how many variations you can make from one pattern. Once you learn the techniques you will understand how to customise these simple patterns to add other features such as pockets etc

Each week you will need to bring a basic sewing kit to include the following:
· Sharp scissors for fabric
· Small pair of scissors for paper
· Pins and pin cushion
· Hand sewing needles
· Sewing cotton
· Tape measure

Each week you will be advised of what materials you will need.

This course does not cover the basics of how to sew but will include an introduction to the college sewing machines.