Intro to Garment Making (Intensive) - 3 Daytime Sessions
This is an intensive version of our Garment Making course, completed over 3 daytime sessions!
Every year we guide and teach hundreds of fledgling sewists until they are equipped with the skills and confidence to progress to more advanced dressmaking and feel they can work through sewing patterns without assistance.
Over 3 days, students complete 2 items - a top and skirt or trousers and will learn or cover in class:
- How to read and use commercial patterns and unravel the language of dressmaking.
- How to use pattern sizing and fabric guides
- How to prepare fabric
- How to attach facings
- Under and top stitching
- Attaching waistbands
- Zips
- Set-in sleeves
- Finishing techniques
Level: Students for this course must already know how to thread up a sewing machine and have experience making a couple of simple sewn items such as tote bags, cushions, pencil cases etc. This course follows on from both our ‘Introduction to Machine Sewing Course’ or 'Intro to Machine Sewing Part 2 - Essential Skills/ Part 2 Pencil Case or Part 2 Piped Cushion’ and 'Make a Simple Top' classes.
Materials: All sewing patterns are included, and each pattern has other garments and variants of style which you can try at home after you complete your course. For this course you are only required to bring fabric for the garments. The machines, equipment & sundry materials, such as basic thread colours and interfacing are provided.
Fabric requirements and suggestions are below - we would suggest avoiding any fabric with patterns that require matching. If you do go to
DAYS 1 & 2: Top
Women’s Top - New Look 6543
Fabric 45”/115cm wide: - All sizes 1.6m
Fabric 60”/ 150cm wide: - All sizes 1.1m
Plus 10mm button
Unisex Top - Merchant and Mills - The Tee
Size 36: 1.2m (All fabric widths)
Size 38-40: 2m (Fabric 110cm/120cm wide) or 1.2m (Fabric 140cm+ wide)
Size 42-46 - 2.1m (Fabric 110cm / 120cm wide) or 1.25m (Fabric 140cm+ wide)
Plus 10cm of Ribbing (all sizes)
Fabric Recommendations: Laundered linen, soft cottons, chambray, cotton poplin, lawn, shirting, quilting or medium weight cotton prints.
DAYS 3 & 4 - 6: Skirt or Trousers
Pencil / A-Line Skirt (Pattern New Look 6843)
Fabric 45”/115cm wide:- Meterage is for Short to Mid Length
Size 8-12 = 1m
Size 14 -20 = 1.1m-1.3m
Fabric 60”/ 150cm wide:-
Size 8 -18 = 1m
Fabric Recommendations: Cotton and cotton blends, needlecord, chambray, denim, twill, linen blends, light weight wool.
9” Invisible Zip
Gathered Skirt (Pattern Simplicity 1369)
Meterage is for Short / Mid Length
Fabric 45”/115cm wide:-
Size 6-20 = 1.8m / 2.6m
Size 22 = 2m / 2.8m
Fabric 60”/ 150cm wide:-
Size 6-12 = 1.3m / 1.8m
Size 14-18 = 1.3m / 2m
Size 20-22 = 1.3m / 2.2m
Fabric Recommendations: Medium-Light weight cottons, chambray, poplin, voile.
9” Invisible Zip
Simplicity 8841 (Slim or wide leg, elastic waist trousers)
Fabric 45”/115cm wide:-
Size 6-18: 2.2m
Size 20-22: 2.5m
Fabric 60”/ 150cm wide:-
Size 6-16: 1.9m
Size 18-22: 2m
1m of 2.5cm/1inch wide elastic
Fabric Recommendations: Cotton and cotton blends, Needlecord, Chambray, denim, twill, linen blends, light denim or light weight wool.
Men's Wardrobe by Me Summer Pants & Shorts
Fabric requirements based on 140cm wide fabric.
Pants:
Sizes 2XS - L: 2m
Sizes XL-4XL: 2.25m
Shorts:
All sizes: 1.5m
20cm of interfacing (to suit fabric choice).
You will also need either waistband elastic (1.5-2inches wide) or 1.6m of cord (10-15mm wide).
Fabric Recommendations: Linen, cotton, light canvas or denim without stretch. Use cotton for the pocket lining, and interfacing that supports the weight of your fabric.
Homework: Some homework may be required during the course, this will involve cutting the paper patterns & fabric and catching up on a bit sewing if needs be.
Booking a class at Ray Stitch entitles you to 10% off everything in-store for one week where our team are happy to help and advise on fabric.
What next? Upon completing this course, we offer a range of advanced dressmaking classes including; various day dress and trouser making classes, sewing with silk, jacket making, Introduction to Overlocker and Sewing with Stretch courses for those wishing to learn to use stretch fabrics. We also teach advanced techniques classes, couture and tailoring techniques workshops, for those who would like to extend their knowledge and achieve a professional finish.
We also run regular freestyle sewing and dressmaking; for those who either need some help with a project they have on the go or want to make or learn something specific that we don’t cover in any of the group classes.
Please take a moment to read our cancellation policies here before booking.