…for sewing machine owners and fabric collectors who want to sew garments that fit beautifully WITHOUT it looking botched or unfinished.
*Do you have trouble getting your me-sewn clothes to fit properly?
*Are you unsure how to make alterations to patterns so that they do fit you?
*Have you been inspired by a garment that you’d love to make for yourself, but you’re not sure where to start?
*Or perhaps you used to love sewing or you’ve been making quilts and bags and it's been ages since you stitched anything for yourself because you just can’t get the fit right?
*Maybe you’ve tried sewing clothes for yourself before but it was a dressmaker’s disaster? Then we have put together an exciting opportunity for you…
Introducing the "Perfect Fit Self-Made Wardrobe"! A 6-week in-person comprehensive pattern drafting and dressmaking course using the Lutterloh pattern drafting system.
For budding dressmakers who want to become confident sewing gorgeous clothes for yourself (or your family) that:
*Feel fabulous to wear because they fit you like a glove
*Are finished flawlessly with the inside as good-looking as the outside
*Equips you with knowledge and confidence so you’re enthusiastic and raring to sew new projects.
What’s covered:
Week 1: CHOOSE YOUR IDEAL PATTERN AND FABRIC *Selecting the perfect garment project that will suit your style so that you enjoy the impressed gasps of surprise from your friends when they curiously ask which designer/store your outfit is from. *From the extensive options on offer, compare and choose the right pattern that isn’t too complex AND matches your current skill level so that you don’t end up throwing it away in exasperation because it was too tricky to follow. *A fresh new approach on how to confidently select the right luscious fabric for you and your pattern online, so that you don’t feel like abandoning your project half-way through because it was just too difficult to work with.
Week 2: FOOLPROOF PATTERN DRAFTING *How to measure yourself and draft your chosen Lutterloh pattern so what you make feels like it was made exclusively for you even when standard sizes don’t. *Trouble-free prep so that cutting your pattern pieces in your correct size is easy and there’s no risk of miscuts or blunders. *Amazingly simple technique for notching your fabric pieces with guide marks so that sewing the pieces together is a breeze.
Week 3: TROUBLE-FREE TOILE MAKING *Cut and sew a test garment to check fit and style so that you don’t ruin your good fabric. *Expert fitting guidance so that your final garment looks great on you. *Discover techniques for transferring any adjustments to the paper pattern so you can confidently reuse the pattern in a different fabric and know that it will fit.
Week 4: HARMONIOUS GARMENT ASSEMBLY AND STITCHING *The most frequently used sewing machine settings you will use for your project so that stitching your garment will always be smooth and easy. *Discover clever yet simple construction techniques so that your finished clothing item hangs beautifully and looks better than anything you’d ever buy in a shop. *How to rescue and remedy any goofs so that your project looks amazing (and the only person who will ever know there was a mistake is you).
Week 5 & 6: PROFESSIONAL FINISHING *Expert techniques so that the inside of your garment is neat and tidy and doesn’t give away tell-tale signs of ‘homemade’. *Versatile method of hemming so that you can finish off raw edges effectively to prevent them from fraying and shortening the garment’s life. *Understand different fastening options so that you can choose and apply the most practical and stylish one for your particular clothing item.
HOW IT WORKS The Perfect Fit Self-Made Wardrobe Sewing Programme will take place during 6 sessions over 6 weeks at Reading Sewing Bee. Each session will begin with 20 minutes of the instructor demonstrating and explaining a clothes-making technique, followed by 10 minutes of an optional hot seat where you can ask her your questions and get clarity over your particular sewing project. Then, you will work independently on your project. The instructor will be on hand throughout to troubleshoot any challenges and answer questions you may have as you work on your sewing project. We will end our session with a quick update round-the-room, so we can celebrate what each of us has achieved so far.
THE DETAILS The Perfect Fit Self-Made Wardrobe starts on Saturday, 18th January, at 10.00am.
WEEK 1: Saturday 18th January, 10.00am - 12:30pm
WEEK 2: Saturday 25th January, 10.00am - 12:30pm
WEEK 3: Saturday 1st February, 10.00am - 12:30pm
WEEK 4: Saturday 8th February, 10.00am - 12:30pm
WEEK 5: Saturday 15th February, 10.00am - 12:30pm
WEEK 6: Saturday 22nd February, 10.00am - 12:30pm
WHAT’S INCLUDED *Use of equipment at Reading Sewing Bee (sewing machines, overlocker, coverstitch, iron/ironing board, standing cutting tables, mannequins, etc.) during class time *Option stay until 2pm to work on your project *Tuition *Pattern drafting paper, pens, scissors *Calico (2m) for toile/test garment *Thread *Unlimited tea/coffee *Free on-site parking *Small class sizes (maximum 6)
WHAT YOU NEED TO PROVIDE *Fabric/lining *Notions for your garment (e.g. zips, buttons, interfacing)
If you own a Lutterloh kit, bring it along! If you don't own a Lutterloh kit, you can purchase one on the first day of the course at a discounted price or use the kit available at Reading Sewing Bee (there is one kit available to borrow that has to be shared with as many people as necessary.)
Looking for something to do, rather than something to see? We've got all manner of classes and workshops, plus games, escape rooms and other interactive activities. There's something for everyone, from dance, to arts and crafts, to food and drink and the odd bit of geekery, too!
