Trace the Pattern from Your Favourite Top or Dress with Dot n Cross

Trace the Pattern From Your Favourite Top or Dress

Everyone has a garment that they wish would last forever, or that they could get in lots of different colours and fabrics. In this day course, learn how to trace off your favourite dress or top, so that you have a fully workable pattern to take home and make again and again.

During this class, you will learn how to make a paper pattern from your favourite top or dress, without having to unpick a thing! We will be creating the pattern, adding seam allowance, and even making small pattern changes, such as changing the length, or adding a seam line. We will then be cutting out the pattern in your chosen fabric. There won’t be time to make your garment on the course, but we will talk about construction techniques and the order to sew it at the end. If your pattern has quite a few pieces, you might not get on to cutting out the pieces by the end of the session.

If you are booking this workshop for someone else, please leave their name and contact details in the notes at time of booking. 

Suitable For: Level 4 - Intermediate

Course Duration: Saturday 25th January, 10am-4pm

Or Saturday 8th February, 10am-4pm

You will learn: 

- Basic techniques of tracing off a garment onto dot and cross paper, using push pins, tracing wheels, tape measures and a pattern master
- Discussing seam allowance and grain lines.
- Making some pattern pieces from scratch, eg. straight plackets, simple facings.
- Cut out your pattern pieces in fabric (depending on the complexity of your garment)
- Discussing order of construction 
- You will need:

Tools: 

- A basic sewing kit, including dressmaking scissors, small scissors, dressmakers’ pins, tape measure

- Paper scissors and pencil

Materials: 

- Your favourite garment - send a photo once you've booked of the garment you're thinking of making to [email protected]

- Something in cotton or a sturdy-ish fabric will be best if this is your first time tracing. We wouldn’t recommend bringing a jersey or stretch garment, but if you’re up for a challenge, then you’ll need to make your garment in jersey/stretch fabric, or it won’t fit!

- Fabric to cut out the garment in. (Not everyone will get on to the cutting out stage).

- It’s a good idea to have pre-washed your fabric so that you know the shrinking is done before you sew a garment. Wash the fabric on the temperature you normally wash your clothes, or a bit higher.

Get 10% off course materials at Truro Fabrics. Please show your booking confirmation at the till to access this discount.

About Your Tutor:

Helen Shine, owner of Dot n Cross, is a pattern cutter and seamstress who has worked in the fashion industry in London for over 10 years. She has cut patterns for several high-end designer brands, including Victoria Beckham, Mary Katrantzou and Karen Millen. She has been teaching home sewers how to pattern cut, amend sewing patterns and improve the fit of garments since 2018. She loves sharing the knowledge she has gained over the years with others, to help them on their sewing journey.

You can find her at dotncross.com

Workshops Class Levels

Level 1:

Complete Beginner
No previous experience required. You will have either never used a sewing machine before or haven’t used one in a long time enough to need to start from scratch. 

Level 2:

Beginner Plus
You’ll know the foundations of machine sewing and will have started to make simple projects such as tote bags or cushions. You are gaining confidence but are still fairly new to sewing.

Level 3:

Improvers 
You are gaining confidence in machine sewing and have maybe started to look at making your own clothes; you might have made a simple garment but are unfamiliar with pattern terminology and usage. 

Level 4:

Intermediate 
You have made multiple garments and are growing familiar with pattern terminology as well as multiple techniques in machine sewing.  You are looking to start using trickier fabrics or develop your dressmaking skills. 

Level 5:

Advanced
You are confident using patterns and making garments. You are now looking to develop your skills with fitting and adjusting patterns and garments. You are looking to take your sewing skills to a more technical level. 

Where To Find Us:

The Studio is located opposite our shop on Calenick Street. Look for the grey door with the pink signage next to the Moorfield Car Park and PIP Consultation centre. 

Cancellation Policy

Please note that all workshops are paid in full at the time of booking.

In the event that you need to cancel your workshop booking, we ask that you give at least two weeks’ notice.

Workshop fees are only refundable if the place can be resold and a £10 administration fee will be charged.

Places cancelled in less than two weeks prior to the workshop date are non-refundable.

If you cancel less than two weeks before your workshop date but are able to send a lucky friend in your place, no fee will be charged.

In this case, please ensure all details of the new attendee are confirmed with The Studio at Truro Fabrics.

We need a minimum number of students for a class to run. We reserve the right to postpone or cancel a workshop in the event of low numbers, tutor illness, or other unavoidable circumstances. In these rare instances, we will offer you your place on an alternative course or a full refund.

FAQs

Do I need to bring my own sewing machine?

We encourage attendees to bring their own sewing machines as it is best to learn on your own machine. In some circumsatances a machine can be loaned to you if you need one but we would need to know in advance. 

My machine hasn't been used for a long time, can I still use it for a workshop?

Yes you can! But we would advise getting a service beforehand. A machine that has been sat unused for some time may not run to its full potential without one. We are a drop off and collection point for Mid Cornwall Sewing Machines - speak to one of our staff for more information. 

I haven't had a confirmation email for my workshop? 

Sometimes our emails can end up in Spam or Junk folders instead of your Inbox. 

I would like to book a workshop as a gift for someone else, is that possible?

Absolutely! Just leave their name and contact details in the notes when you checkout!

Are your workshops suitable for children and teens?

Not all of our workshops are designed for young people. We do occasionally run classes specifically for children and teens but the majority of our classes are for adults only. If ever in doubt, you can contact us at [email protected] for more information.