Trace the Pattern from Your Favourite Top or Dress with Dot n Cross | Aug & Nov
Trace the Pattern from Your Favourite Top or Dress - Pattern Cutting Workshop with Dot n Cross
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.
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If you are booking this workshop for someone else, please leave their name and contact details in the notes at time of booking.
Ability Level: Intermediate sewists. You should have some prior experience of working with bought patterns and be comfortable with pattern terminology.
Time: 10am -4pm
Date: Please select when adding to basket.
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 to bring:
Tools needed:
- A basic sewing kit, including dressmaking scissors, small scissors, dressmakers’ pins, tape measure
- Paper scissors and pencil
Materials needed:
- 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.
After this workshop we'd recommend booking onto our Dress Block Pattern Cutting Course to take your skills to the next level!
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
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