Whilst the majority of the sewing I do is patchwork and quilting, I love to make clothes. The skills are very broadly the same, but the sewing terms used are very different. I find that sewing garments are often simpler than patchwork and quilting. However, getting to the point of sewing up your project does have some challenges. In particular, the language of sewing pattern instructions and deciphering the pattern cover can more than dampen anyone’s enthusiasm before they get to the sewing machine! Also, we will cover how to choose suitable fabric and understanding darts and the seam allowances.
What To Expect
Over the next six weeks, I will be sharing the most valuable elements of a garment making for the beginner. My Monday night dressmaking class is such a great group, and I have drawn from their sewing journey’s to craft this course.
Each week, a video covering different aspects of garment making will be delivered to your email inbox. To receive the video, just sign up below.
Here is the line-up
Week 1 – (28th July) Understanding the pattern sleeve, measuring yourself and selecting the correct size
Week 2 – (4th August) Choosing the suitable fabric, how to buy fabric online and what else you will need as well as fabric
Week 3 – (11th August) Tracing out the pattern, grainlines, bias cuts
Week 4 – (18th August) Making basic length and size adjustments
Week 5 – (25th August) Understanding the instructions and mastering new terms
Week 6 – (1st September) Sewing and Finishing Perfect Seams, Creating Darts, Stay Stitching and Under-Stitching
What To Do Now
To get started, you will need the following tools.
- Sewing machine with a new needle (you will need a stretch or ballpoint needle for any stretchy fabric)
- Thread
- Fabric and Paper Scissors (only use fabric scissors for cutting fabric as cutting Paper will blunt them quickly, making your cutting less precise)
- Tracing Paper (I use PatternTrace)
- Serrated tracing wheel
- Chalk or water erasable marker
- Basic Hand Sewing kit
- Measuring tape with inches and cm
- And a pattern…
There is no catch or hidden charges. Sign up below.
